July Conciliator

Volume 21 | Issue 7 | July 2021

IN THIS ISSUE:

Know Your CBA

Women's Advocate

Congratulations

Last Laugh

Partner For Life

Retirements

594 Swag

EFAP

EXECUTIVE

President:

Nathan Kraemer

Recording Secretary:

Carla McCrie

Treasurer:

Kaleena Baulin

Negotiating Chairperson:

Shaun Jenkins

Maintenance V.P.:

Karl Dahle

Process V.P.:

Wade Schnell

Administration V.P.:

Tasha Lang

PDD V.P.:

Vacant

Chief Shop Steward:

Richard Exner

Information Officer:

Ashlyn Heintz

Guide:

Brandon Mang

Sergeant at Arms:

Nic Skulski

Trustees:

Amy Wisniewski (20)

Daryl Watch (21)

Kevin Geiger (22)

KNOW YOUR CBA:

ARTICLE 12 - LAYOFFS

Article 12: When reducing staff, senior employees, having merit and ability sufficient to handle the job to be filled, shall be retained. Employees laid off on account of reduction of staff shall be returned to service in order of seniority, merit, and ability being sufficient for work to be resumed.

The collective agreement stipulates that permanent layoffs must be conducted based on plant seniority. This is unlike temporary layoffs, in which the Company followed section seniority. This means that any permanent layoffs will be given to members with the least seniority, dependant on the merit and ability of more senior members.

We have yet to receive an updated plant seniority list past January 1st, 2021, and may not until closer to the commencement of permanent layoffs. We also will be working with the Company on the plant seniority order for members hired on the same day, in different sections. The Company lacked a definitive ordering system historically to determine the order of seniority in those circumstances. We have agreed that the fairest way to sort out the issue is by a random draw from a hat. There are roughly thirty groups where plant seniority order needs to be established. A sub-committee of two individuals from each the Company and Union will work to finalize the plant seniority list in the near future.

If a senior member's job is one of the positions that the Company chooses to eliminate, the member will have the opportunity to transfer to another position in the plant where they have the seniority, merit, and ability. This will continue down the seniority list until all positions are filled.

As per Article 9.3: All permanently classified employees filling a new position or vacancy shall be allowed six months in which to qualify for the minimum qualifications for the position concerned. The probationary period may be extended an additional six months if mutually agreed upon and if required to further evaluate the employee's qualifications and performance.

The Company has confirmed that if a member is able to complete the qualifications for any given job in a time period of 6 months, they will be given the time to do so. This would not be the case for a position that requires qualifications that take longer than 6 months to complete unless a mutually agreed-to extension of additional 6 months is reached.

There will be many different and complicated scenarios that will arise if the permanent layoffs occur. The Union will work to ensure all outcomes align with the CBA. Keep in mind that we are still doing everything in our power as a Union to keep permanent layoffs off the table, however, the Company has indicated they have every intention of proceeding with the job eliminations. This is despite the inefficiencies and chaos it will cause at a time when the refinery is barely limping along and market demand and profits are up.

SHOP STEWARDS

Administration:

Karla Hanson

Boilerhouse:

Debbie Bourassa &

Mitch Bloos

Building Maintenance:

Garth Wendel

Construction:

Mike Pelzer

Decokers:

Sam Seibel

Electrical:

Corey Strass & Colin Waldie

Fire & Safety:

Daryl Watch &

Ryan Shillingford

Information Technology:

Cory Frederickson

Inspection:

Shane Thompson

Instrumentation:

Dave Mushynsky &

Jaret McCloy & Chris Szala

Insulators:

Luke McGeough &

Brandon Mang

Lab:

Andrea Jordan & Mike Fink

Mechanics:

Derek Kups & Karter Diewold

MRP: Wade Selinger

PDD Loading: Jamie Wolf

PDD Warehouse: Vacant

PDD Office:

Christal Mymryk

Pipefitters:

Jeremy Lukomski

& Dan Ross

Pumpers:

Ryan Dzioba

Scaffolders:

Nelson Wagman

Section IA:

Dean Funke

Section IB:

Charles Brittner

Section II:

Chad Gettle & Jason Sharp

Section III:

Codi Almasi & Josh Hollinger

Section IV:

Pat Pilot

Section V:

Andrew Murray

Stores:

Nathan Fafard

Welders:

Scott Wicklund

WOMEN'S ADVOCATE

Hi everyone,

We have been given the opportunity to trial a women's advocate at CRC and I am happy to announce that I will be that advocate for the following 11 months. Some of the roles I will take on as the women's advocate will include:

Liaison with managers for excused absences (ie: leave for abuse so the female employee doesn’t need to deal with their boss)
Sexual harassment complaints at work
Resource for the Shop Stewards
Weigh in on grievances vs. human rights cases
Branch out the Women’s Advocate to train the Women’s Committee.

In the coming months I will be receiving training to help me effectively fulfill this role. I will not be acting as a counsellor, only as a support person for those who may be experiencing sexual harrassment, violence or abuse in the workplace or in their personal lives. Studies have shown that 80% of the time a woman is on the receiving end of abuse. As we all know, the Refinery consists of a higher percentage of men than it does women and so it's nice to have a familiar face when going through difficult times.

As a Union we truly hope that no one has to experience these situations. However, we know that realistically they do happen. Reaching out for help is not weak. It is hard to do, but extremely brave. Our hope is that the Women's Advocate Program will be a great example of a joint Union/Management initiative built off the need for a healthy, respectful and safe workplace. If the trial is successful we hope that it will have a permanent home at our worksite. If that does happen, we will then be looking for a permanent advocate for the position.

I work in the Lab on a regular 4-on/5-off 12 hour shift, but will be available by phone or email any other time. Please reach out if you are experiencing any of the above situations or if you need guidance. Confidentiality and the ability to making your own decision will be respected, and issues will be dealt with in a timely manner to the best of my ability.

We have a meeting at the end of July where we will chat with the Company about the women's advocate. I hope to have more concrete information to pass along by then.

Until then, please contact me if you need:

[email protected]

(306) 737-2228

Ashlyn Heintz

Unifor 594 will have a radio ad on Labour Day. If you have any suggestions or would like to hear something specific, let us know!

Congratulations Kyle Gauthier (Boilerhouse) and Rebecca who welcomed son Bentley Raymond born April 30th.

Congratulations Josh Schultz (Pipe Shop) and Jadynn who welcomed son Dawson born May 17th.

Congratulations Kaleena Baulin (Lab) and David who welcomed daughter Nora Maria born May 26th.

Congratulations Jamie Loucks (Section 3) and Kristi who welcomed daughter Lillian Marie born June 7th.

Congratulations Andrew Cole (Section 4) and Anna who welcomed twin daughters Rowynn Leah and Oaklee Desiree born June 17th.

Congratulations Sebastian Wolfmueller (Boilerhouse) and Emilia who welcomed daughter Elvira Ruth born June 27th.

Job Well Done to Nikole Leader, Sean Biffin and Josh Schultz who passed their last year of school and are now Red Seal Pipefitters!

To ensure we don't miss anyone, we will rely on each and every one of you to let us know of any schooling, births, marriages, etc. of your friends & coworkers that we can share with the membership!

Please let Ashlyn know of these noteworthy milestones at [email protected] or message her directly.

LAST LAUGH

CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES:

PARTNER FOR LIFE

As we all know, the Union set up many dates to give blood as a group. We encourage you to continue to support this cause and give blood. You can still use the Unifor 594 Partners For Life ID when you book your appointment.

ID: UNIF155195

The ID will have a permanent place at the bottom of the front page on our website if you misplace it. Check it out HERE.

Congratulations

to the following 594 members:

Glen Wirl - Boilerhouse (July 1st, 2021)

594 SWAG

Are you interested in sporting Unifor 594 Swag?

Check out our list of swag at:

www.unifor594.com

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Mental Health can affect anyone at any point in their life.

Did you know that one in three workplace disability claims are mental health related? Many supervisors and Union Executive have completed the Mental Health First Aid training. Please, if you are struggling, contact EFAP or reach out to a trusted confidant.

EFAP is through Homewood Health and is available 24/7/365. Call 1-800-663-1142