UNION LEAVE

This year has been crazy for the extra hours worked during Turnaround, working short in units and the added pressure of a staff shortage and training issues. As a union executive, we would not be able to do our union jobs without the support and commitment of the membership.

I want to thank everyone who has stepped up and worked extra shift(s) to allow for union leave over the past couple of years. In the leadup to, and since the lockout, we have faced many large, time consuming challenges. We have been able to face those challenges and come out on top because we are a strong, supportive membership. 

As of October 27th, there have been just over 200 union leaves so far in 2022. While not all leaves require coverage, this still highlights how much we rely on, and appreciate when people are able to help out by working a union leave coverage. It is every one of you that allows us to do our research, social media, emails, file grievances, attend Company meetings, write cheques and volunteer for the betterment of the whole. These leaves also allow us to send stewards, committee members, and union executives to conferences, seminars, grievance/ULP hearings, educational courses, and anything else that keeps our union in a position to be a powerful voice and provide strong representation for all of our members.

Thank you to everybody that has ever picked up a union coverage shift. The Local 594 executive is incredibly appreciative of your past and continued help on this front. I look forward to seeing everyone at our Christmas party on December 3^rd where we can finally celebrate together as a local for the first time in years. We have a lot to celebrate.

In Solidarity,

Nathan Kraemer

• Congratulations Dean Brothen (Loading) on his marriage to Willow on September 24, 2022

• *CORRECTION** Congratulations James Cheeseman and Ryan Morgan who received their Insulators Red Seal.

SHOP STEWARD THANK YOU

As a whole, we are a better executive thanks to the tireless efforts of our stewards. 

“I would like to extend the biggest thank you to Karla Hanson and Cory Frederickson, the two amazing Administration shop stewards. The knowledge and experience the two of you bring to our many discussions is invaluable to me. And also, just being a sounding board for when I need someone to bounce a thought or idea off of. Having the both of you volunteer your time to step into these roles to help the administration group has been instrumental in ensuring there is a good flow of communication to our members and that they are provided day to day support should they need it.” – Tasha Lang, Administration VP

“I just want to send a big thank you out to the process and lab department shop stewards. Thank you stepping up and for volunteering your time and energy for the betterment of our union! As most people know getting involved can be intimidating, but each of you have been a big asset to both the workers in your respective sections and to me. There will always be members with questions, people needing representation and discussions to be had with management. I truly appreciate all the hard work you guys and gals have done assisting me since I have stepped into the VP role. Thank you for attending meetings, representing members, and providing insight from areas of the plant that need a voice.” – Wade Schnell, Process VP

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the maintenance shop stewards for their dedication and hard work they put in. Shop stewards play a vital role. I see this more from my short time in this seat than I ever did in my 36 years of being a union member. You are the ones that pull the shops together when other forces are trying to rip them apart, you’re answering members questions, researching grievances, backing your members, and being the voice of the executive in your shops. I could not be affective at this job without you. To our members new and old, these guys are there for you. If you have questions, or concerns they are your avenue to voice them.” -Garth Wendel, Interim Maintenance VP

“A special thanks and shoutout to Christal Wisniewski and Jamie Wolf for making themselves available whenever we need, even when they are on days off. Also, having the ground level perspective they bring is invaluable, especially for someone like myself who is not actually in the department. I truly couldn’t represent the department without their knowledge, commitment, dedication, and perspective.” -Kurt Haakensen, PDD VP

The role of shop steward can be time consuming on the best of days without adding in returning from a lockout or navigating a once in a lifetime pandemic. We cannot thank you enough for the time you put in attending executive meetings, having discussions with management, attending member meetings, answering member questions, assisting us with the general understanding of the workings of different areas as well as providing us information needed for grievances or other issues that pop up.

A strong executive is only as strong as the stewards supporting them, being the boots on the ground in each section and bringing forward concerns and new ideas. I would encourage all workers to get to know their shop steward and thank them for volunteering to keep 594 strong, they are a great group of people and we are lucky to have them!

In Solidarity,

Tasha, Wade, Garth & Kurt

SASKWORKS INFO SESSION

Saskworks allows employees to save money and pay less tax. Invest in Saskatchewan, get a 32.5% tax credit!

Ripplinger Financial will be hosting an information session for 594 at the Union Hall (200 Hodsman Road) on November 16th at 5:30 PM, dinner will be provided.

LAST LAUGH