Good Morning Members,
To dispel some confusion, as a result of some of the Company bargaining committee being seen on-site, talks have not stalled. The employer specifically requested the rest of this week to deal with budget meetings they are required to attend. We are scheduled to meet first thing on Monday, as we continue to bargain the best possible collective agreement for all of you. They need this time, hopefully, to start to put some serious cash back into HVC, after years of neglect. So, what’s still on the table? The Big Four, Wages, Benefits, Pension and Vacation. Keeping in mind that the items not in the Big Four are equally as important and we have worked diligently for our members in those regards too. We are looking for fair increases in all of these categories, while copper is high and the Company is making record profits. Not to be surprised, they DO NOT want to open their purse strings. They prefer to ignore the work horses and keep the saddle bags full of loot firmly in place. They don’t want to feed and water the “beasts of burden” that continue to pack it to the bank on their backs for them. And that continues to be a stark reminder of the disparity separating the bottom from the top. We continue that there are still items that can be discussed at the table, including some non-monetary. However, the Company has requested the assistance of a Mediator, specifically Vince Ready, who many of us are familiar with. We have agreed that Vince is a good request noting that with non-monetary items still worthy of discussion, that he become involved when its more appropriate. While the Companies committee is away budgeting, our Team continues to solidify our ongoing strategy daily in the Hall. Even though we are not out shaking hands and talking with you as much as we would like, your continued solidarity is greatly appreciated and has not gone unnoticed. We truly appreciate all of you. We welcome your strength and resolve, it resonates through us at the table. In Solidarity, United Steelworkers Local 7619 Bargaining Committee To the membership,
It’s been a long week. It ended on a great note, as we watched copper prices surge over $4.70/lb. Copper futures continue to see a positive outlook, and we are continuously reminded that the future is looking bright. We have another entire week of bargaining planned for Monday, as we finish this week off with significant moves. We have signed off on more items, fine tuning the remaining proposals, tightening our grip on main issues that still remain. As it’s been said, things are starting to crystallize. We refuse to back down on some of these items, as we are constantly reminded on how it’s impacted all of us over time. At some point, we are going to have to call on all of you to strengthen our stance. The support, patience, and creativity from the floor has been incredible. The strong show of solidarity from all areas of the mine has highlighted that we are all one big family, and not one to be messed with. In Solidarity, United Steelworkers Local 7619 Bargaining Team Copper price soars to new high as stockpiles hit 47-year low - MINING.COM To the membership,
It’s been a much more productive week. We have had a chance to speak on some of the big ticket items in our monetary package, which has started good dialogue on how to fix them. They are extremely complicated, with multiple moving parts, but we believe that with continued engagement and in depth discussion, we will be able to actually solve these problems. All of this takes time, which with the support of the membership, allows us to continue to bargain the best possible agreement. As long as things continue to move forward in this manner, we see a light at the end of the tunnel. For now, focus on your family and this thanksgiving weekend. We have your back, so continue to have ours. In solidarity, United Steelworkers Local 7619 Bargaining Team To you, our Brothers and Sisters, the Membership,
If you open the CBA to page 168, you will find under Article 24.01, the term of the Collective Agreement. It’s an agreement between both parties to follow the rules set forth within, for the duration of the time period, with a further agreement to renegotiate those terms “prior” to the final date. That date, as you are all aware of, is Sept 30th, 2021 at midnight. It’s unfortunate that the Company chose to make themselves available for only one day in July, two days in August, and only thirteen days in September. That’s sixteen days of a possible ninety-two. We can only speculate what "their" priorities in those 92 days could’ve been. We can see with clarity, however, what/who the priority did not fall upon. Acting on your behalf as a Bargaining Team, we made ourselves available by clearing off our personal agendas to bargain in those 92 days. Yesterday, September 29th, as a result of the companies misaligned schedule, we found ourselves looking at days to bargain into October. The positive side is we are meeting non-stop now and are scheduled for tomorrow and all of next week. As the sun sets on the eve of our contracts end, the company bargaining committee made the decision to go home for the evening. Although we will continue to be protected by the CBA beyond midnight, our members will not enjoy the improvements we are working for beginning tomorrow October 1st, 2021. We have progressed into the monetary component of bargaining with a proposal package, reflective of your cumulative requests. With an everchanging landscape of inflation, autonomy, and staggering company profits, reaching a strong settlement is our commitment to you, the members. The deep red and orange embers of a fire long since burning, are evident, and we acknowledge this as we move forward. Our current time frame must be adjusted to and we know you will all support us with discipline and professionalism. We as a membership didn't want to be in these current circumstances. This isn't something of our creation. Our members have stepped up time and again to help with positive healthy change. Many took the chance to let the walls of mistrust to come down somewhat, during a disingenuous two years of "we want you to feel good about yourselves." And here's the ironic beauty. "We do feel good about ourselves." In fact we feel better than we've felt in seven years. We have immersed ourselves in our own communities and created even stronger bonds. We have grown stronger through the adversities handed to us by disregarding the frivolity of a management team and focusing on our members and their better welfare. When our members needed a place to live, our doors were open. When they were hungry, our pantries were distributed to them. When our members were thirsty, they drank from our cups. Tonight, and the 16 days prior, have shown that our family is being disrespected. We teach people how to treat us. How do you want to be treated? We are showing them that we will remain at the table to secure the best possible deal we can. We are showing them we will be respected. Each tick of the second hand that we do not secure a contract only exemplifies the frivolity of a management team bargaining on borrowed time. For us, one day longer, is one day stronger. We recognize that when the time arises, those deep glowing embers will become the firestorm of solidarity. Your United Steelworker 7619 Bargaining Team Bargaining Update
What a week. Ups, downs, and even a little sideways, but we have fought hard to ensure the non-monetary requests from the membership were achieved. When you spend days fighting over letters of the alphabet, it feels good to finally get a resolution. All of this has taken a tremendous amount of time, but as of 5 pm today, we have given the employer our monetary proposal. We appreciate your engagement as we navigate the most crucial portion of our journey. We have spent countless hours combing over the membership surveys, building a package that we can all be proud of. Now it’s time to make the next set of moves. We will message your CAT team member, so a reminder, if it doesn’t come from this team or a CAT team member, it’s not true. In solidarity, Your USW 7619 Bargaining Committee Bargaining Update
It was another busy but productive week at the table. We are working through the non-monetary issues with constructive conversation and finding resolve on a number of proposals. There are still outstanding issues that we have to address before we move on to monetary, as we remain steadfast in the positions put forward by the membership. We are cognizant of the significance of our timeline, and we thank everyone for the support they have shown the team to date. CAT team members, be aware that you will be receiving important messaging ASAP. Quick reminder, if it doesn’t come from a CAT team member or one of the bargaining team, it’s not true! In Solidarity, USW 7619 Bargaining Committee To the membership,
We had a productive couple of days at the bargaining table, dealing with most of the Health and Safety items we have proposed. We still have some very significant issues that are important to us, which need to be addressed prior to moving on to the rest of the non-monetary. Focusing on the health and safety of members has always been paramount, as it is also in Teck’s code of conduct and mission statement. Starting Monday, we are back to the table full time for the rest of the month. This continues to be a tight timeline, which we are committed to getting a deal by Sept. 30th. We will continue to keep everyone updated as we progress. CAT team members, watch for communications from your perspective bargaining agent. In solidarity, USW 7619 Bargaining Committee First day at the table
To the membership Thank you for your continued support to date! We showed up on August 10th very prepared and on time, to ensure that we negotiate the best possible contract for everyone at Highland Valley Copper. Our focus in the non-monetary continues to be on health and safety. We have several great proposals to try and resolve issues around the wellbeing of our members. Your survey feedback focused on the significant issues regarding the lack of maintenance, lack of leadership and the lack of morale. Years of abuse has increased our focus as a membership, which has solidified our resolve. This has created an undeniable and unbreakable connection between all of us. The bargaining committee remains dedicated to improving our work environment and increasing our benefits and wages. We are prepared for the task ahead of us and share a common goal, and a working moral compass. We meet with the Company again on August 23rd, the only other date they provided to the committee this month. We continue to make ourselves readily available and flexible in finding extra dates, as our contract expires at midnight on September 30th. We ask you to continue to stay engaged, be prepared and be ready for any situations that develop. Stay in touch with your area CAT team member, subscribe to our Text Alert by texting “7619” to 32323, join our Closed Facebook page USW Local 7619 | Facebook or subscribing to EMAIL UPDATES . In Solidarity, USW 7619 Bargaining Team DID YOU KNOW? It’s unfortunate that our members are still being subjected to disgusting and dehumanizing situations, since the Company has flatly refused to provide adequate washroom facilities in the pit. To the membership,
We met with the Company today to confirm bargaining dates for this round of negotiations. Of the thirty-one days in August, the Company has provided their availability for only two of them. Your bargaining committee has made bargaining a priority and have made themselves available for both months, including evenings and weekends. This only leaves us sixteen days in September before the looming contract expiration deadline of midnight, September 30th. The recent release of the Q2 Teck unaudited report, shows once again the Company is achieving record profits, eclipsing all previous financial benchmarks. They have cut costs to the amount of over one billion dollars, while copper futures continue to soar into uncharted territory. Throughout the pandemic, we adapted, we struggled, and we made record profits for Teck, while management stayed at home. You do the math. You have confided in us with taking your ideas and concerns to the bargaining table. We do this knowing that we have your trust, support, and solidarity while we negotiate the best possible contract. Thank you for your continued support. Please keep safety to the forefront and stay informed with your local CAT team member. In solidarity, USW 7619 Bargaining Team Good Morning Members,
As Don Lindsay said “we will need 100 Highland Valley Copper’s to keep up with the demand”. With todays continued high copper prices, record profits and over a BILLION in cost savings, this couldn’t be more true. The copper market continues to surge forward, and the messaging around our future continues to burn bright. It also sets a strong tone at the bargaining table, and we have to send a strong message to the Company. It’s been a hard few years. More like almost a decade, as our pride and joy has been quickly and literally started to fall apart. The mill is in a state of disrepair that is beyond imagination, we have had to take over safety in many places of the mine, as it has become too regular to fall through floors, run from emergency to emergency and never have enough time or people to fix things properly. In conversation with the upper management, they don’t seem to care about what’s happening, as it seems the layers of deceit and years of not caring has finally caught up with us, but everyone still has to hide the errors and delays. This isn’t a shot at the floor. The frustration of employees is shared with most of the front line supervisors, as they can’t get the support to deal with their employees issues from the “White Hat Pajama Brigade”. It’s the middle and the top that we get direction from, if we get it. Remember, management believes “once the house is built, we only need a few people to maintain it.” But, we have become complacent. We have let them run this place down, and it’s nearly killed multiple co-workers in the process. We cannot accept “waiting for a fatality”. It’s going to be a co-worker, a brother or a sister that you have worked with for years, or even yourself. We have the right to work in a safe and healthy workplace, no one has the ability to take that away. That’s why “Red Tape Works.” We cannot continue to put equipment back into service that is derelict, in disrepair or unsafe, it’s our co-workers that will suffer. Red tag it, shut it down until it’s repaired, and use the right to refuse forms. We cannot walk away from those safety issues, it’s going to end up in catastrophe. So, as we enter into this round of bargaining, we need all of you to do your part. Do not accept safety deviances, do not accept dusty conditions, do not accept lack of water trucks, bad seats, busted suspension, no horn, broken lights…… all it will do is get you hurt or in trouble. Down any piece of equipment that has unresolved issues. If it’s been in the log book for weeks, it’s time to address it. If it’s been on the list for ever, it’s time to get it fixed. For those who can’t get a washroom break, and are still being forced to crap in a plastic bucket in a live electrical switch room or behind the track of a dozer, why? Why would you demean yourself to that level, so you can produce more profit for the company? We were forced to move this issue to an expedited arbitration to force the Company to install washrooms, after their 3rd stage grievance response. It stated the Company was looking to provide “higher quality products” instead of providing washrooms, and shovel washrooms were going to get installed on “an opportunistic basis”, which literally means “exploiting chances offered by immediate circumstances without reference to a general plan or moral principle.” It’s time to start to start questioning the Company’s "Moral Compass." We are going to the table on July 28th, and we need your support. It’s time to take back safety. Safety is Ours. Red Tape Works. In Solidarity, Your USW Local 7619 Bargaining Committee |
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August 2021
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