4. Other Social Events you would like to see:  

• 55% of respondents would like to see a Golf Tournament. We are happy to announce that the social committee is currently working on our first Golf Tournament at Deer Valley for September 22, 2023. As you can imagine, setting up a golf tournament is no easy task. You can find more information in this newsletter.
• 48% of respondents would like to see a comedy/casino night and the Shutdown Shaker. The social committee has had another successful year at the shutdown shaker, held on June 8, 2023, at the hall. At this time we have no plans for a comedy/casino night, but it's definitely on the radar!
• 38% of respondents would like to see a family-friendly event. This has been an ongoing event that we would love to host, but has yet to come to fruition. The communications committee had a goal this year to sponsor a free Friday movie night at Moonlight Movies in Pilot Butte, which was a huge success. Our goal for next year is to have a movie later in the season so the start time can be more family-friendly!

5. Swag provided by 594 - 60% of respondents were interested in receiving hats and T-shirts from the union and 50% were interested in receiving sweaters. We have handed out many hats and T-shirts in our 594 past. However, the last 594 sweater was given out back when we were Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP). We think it is time for new sweaters!

• We are currently working with our supplier and hoping to get approval from Fire & Safety to allow our FR Zip-up Hoodies on-site. When we have completed those necessary steps, sizing and ordering will be next. Keep an eye out for that!

6. Sponsorship and Donations - Four main not-for-profit organizations were chosen by 60% of respondents: sending kids to camp, Women's Shelters, Hospitals of Regina and Youth Sport. As you may have seen in the past couple of months, we have made donations as part of the Grievance Backlog Project of $2500 each to Kidsport Saskatchewan, YWCA (Women's Shelter), Souls Harbour (Men's Shelter) and the Humane Society. As part of our policies, we were also able to send four children to EYES (Educating Youth in Engineering and Science) Camp and four children to YWCA Power of Being a Girl Camp.

7.Volunteers - We had 14 members step up and get more involved in committees, as shop stewards and on the Executive. Thank you for volunteering your time!

Are you actively looking for work outside the Co-op Refinery right now?

2023

2021

There was a significant decrease in the amount of members looking for work outside of the Co-op from 2021 to 2023. This result is a positive for our workplace and one can only assume it's due to the Company abandoning their planned permanent layoff plans in the wake of the historic Labour Relations decision on October 17, 2022, helping to carve the road to a better working relationship.

Other notable results from the survey include:

• 83.64% are satisfied with the level of information they receive from 594, up from 70.68% in 2021. 5.91% are dissatisfied, down from 12.31% in 2021. The rest are neutral.
• We will continue to send information (bargaining updates, general updates, etc.) out as we have it. It is important for the membership to be up-to-date on all information!
• 71.37% are satisfied with the level of representation/support they receive from 594, slightly down from 72.63% in 2021. 7.27% are dissatisfied, down from 15.00% in 2021. The rest are neutral or have not needed support from the Union.
• Please reach out to your shop steward or executive for support when and where you need it. We do try our very best to help members with concerns they have.
• There were several comments about the Defined Benefit P23 indexing issue that played out over the last three years. The union has stated our position based on advice from our legal team, particularly in an email from January 29th, 2023. It's important for the membership to understand that the decisions were not made lightly, or without all the necessary information from experts.

Thank you to all members who participated in our 2023 Membership Survey. We want all of your voices to be heard and strongly encourage you to share them in any future surveys!

Cheers,

Ashlyn Heintz, Information Officer

594 GOLF TOURNAMENT

Unifor 594 Social Committee is pleased to announce its First Golf Tournament on September 22, 2023, at Deer Valley Golf Course.

Shotgun start begins at noon, followed by dinner in the clubhouse. Bus transportation is optional, but will be available to and from golf.

Registration is Now Open! 

The cost for the tournament is $100 for members only. To confirm registration, send fees by e-transfer to [email protected].

In an e-transfer comment or separate email include the name(s) of golfers your fees are covering, and team member names (if applicable).

Don't have a team, but would like to participate? Once registered, we will ensure you have a team to enjoy the day with!

After registration, keep checking your inbox for further updates and information.

Spots are limited on a first come first serve basis by completing registration. 

Registration closes September 1st. For more information or have questions please reach out to [email protected] or talk to your Unifor 594 Social Club members.

CSS CORNER

The Grievance Backlog Project has produced several significant settlements that are both positive and productive to the progress of rebuilding the labor relations trust that is necessary for an effective work environment. 

The most recent example is the with precedent resolution that was signed on August 1st relating to grievance #21-2021. This agreement between the Company and Union will solidify a long-standing practice at CRC going forward.

The grievance was submitted after a Process member, who was on days off due to prescheduled vacation, was called into work on short notice to fill minimum staffing requirements on what would've been their regular day of work. The employee was paid straight time and their vacation hours were credited back. The Union argued this has not been the practice, nor is it consistent with Article 17 or LOU 40.

We are pleased that we were able to come to an agreement with the Company on the following rules for any future similar scenarios. Employees will have the option of selecting one of the following:

1. Working at straight time and having their vacation hours credited back
2. Keeping their scheduled vacation and receiving overtime pay for the called-in shift.

*If the call-in is short notice, it will entitle the employee to a meal allowance per the CBA.

Also, as part of this resolution, the employee at the heart of the grievance was made whole in all respects. It is a great example of collaborative problem-solving that ends with a mutually beneficial outcome.

In Solidarity, Richard Exner, Chief Shop Steward

LABOUR DAY PICNIC

Regina & District Labour Council is pleased to host a Labour Day Picnic.

Joined by Unions of Regina.

When: Monday Sep 4, 2023

Time: 12: 00 (Noon) - 3:00 pm

Where "Pat Fiacco Plaza" in downtown Regina

Unifor 594 will be joining other local Unifor unions to host a tent at the Labour Day Picnic. Bring your family down for some food, entertainment and fun -- it's free!