Volume 20 | Issue 1 | September 2020
PENSION SESSION: September 15 & 17 @ 7:00 PM ONLINE
Paul Duxbury is a pension consulting actuary with over 40 years of experience helping Canadians in a variety of industries who participate in their company pension plans. If you have any pension questions to be addressed, please have them sent to info@unifor594.com before September 9th.
HOW IS THE LAY-OFF GOING?
It will be one year this September since I quit my job of 23 years as a government correctional worker in a young offender facility, in order to work at the Co-op refinery in Regina. I used to phrase it as I started working at the refinery in September, but I’ve actually only worked there for 3 months. During the last year I’ve been locked out for 7 months and then laid off. When I received my call back letter, I was beyond excited, only to learn approximately 2 weeks later that I was being “Temporarily” laid off. This, according to the company, was due to Covid-19 and the downturn of the economy.  

I have experienced many different emotions over the last 9 months leading me to question who I should be more upset with. On one hand, I left an extremely high-stress job with the hopes that I would work at the refinery until I retired; but then I was locked out and 7 months later laid off due to “Covid-19". On the other hand, I feel like myself, and many others, placed blind trust in a handful of fellow employees, referred to simply as the executive. The Co-op Refinery has left me feeling like I’m being punished for standing alongside my fellow union members while they allow contract workers to do my job.  

In regards to the struggle of being laid off: I know many of us have been pounding the internet looking for either temporary or permanent employment elsewhere. I’ve been blessed with the support of my family. My sister and her husband have found work for me on their farm and my parents have opened their home to me. 

I left a permanent job with a higher wage and better benefits, to finally work for a company, where I immediately felt comfortable and safe, to now feeling abandoned by that same employer who says it prides itself on western family values. To now feeling even more supported by a union who, despite the learning curve and uphill battle, has supported myself and its members to the maximum of their abilities. 

Stewart Kerslake, MRP
STEM CELLS FOR LIFE
Many diseases and disorders can be treated through stem cell transplants. When a patient needs a stem cell transplant, it is because their bone marrow has failed due to an illness.

You may know a loved one that has needed or is in need of a stem cell transplant. One of our very own 594 members was in need of a transplant. Luckily, the member matched with a relative and will be able to receive the bone marrow they so desperately need.

However, approximately 75% of people rely on a match outside of their own family. This is why it is so important to consider becoming a stem cell donor by finding out if you are eligible, and if you are able, register through the Canadian Blood Services Website.

You can find the eligibility quiz and registration link below:
LOCAL 594
VIRTUAL PASS THE HAT
Brothers and Sisters:

We’d like to take this time to ask for your assistance in this trying time, while we all get back on our feet. We have some 594 members that are still temporarily laid off. These folks could use some financial support. This unusual circumstance, just coming out of a major labour disruption, with no time to financially prepare for a layoff, really makes it hard to support a family. We ask that working members donate $20 per paycheque, via e-transfer, to support these members in their time of need.

E-transfers (and any questions) can be sent to 594passthehat@protonmail.com.

Regular donations every two weeks would be better than one big donation, as the Company has not said when temporarily laid-off workers will be recalled.

Let's show our laid-off brothers & sisters our solidarity!

In Solidarity,

Chris Petersen and Chad Borys
594 Swag
Are you interested in sporting Unifor 594 Swag?
Check out our list of swag at:

Employee & Family Assistance Program
If you are struggling with the Return to Work Process, the aftermath of the Lockout or anything in between - please know you are not alone. Reach out to our EFAP services or to a coworker for help.

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