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Island Gold and Argonaut Employees!
You deserve better work now. Join the #1 union in mining by forming your own United Steelworkers Union!
The USW union advantage:
The USW is the largest private-sector union in North America with more than 225,000 members in Canada and over 80 years of experience representing workers from all walks of life.
The USW is a community-based union, representing a broad array of workers in mining and smelting, the forest industry, industrial mill, construction and renovation, manufacturing, transportation, and service industries.
By joining the USW, you will become part of the strongest industrial trade union. Across Canada, from Voisey’s Bay to Sudbury, to Thompson, to Saskatoon, to Wabamun, to the Elk Valley, to the Highland Valley, and to Vancouver Island, the USW is the leading trade union in representing Canadian mine workers. We have successfully organized mine workers from the Maritimes to B.C. since 1942.
We can represent all workers in USW certified mining companies – from entry-level labourers to driller blasters, to heavy equipment operators and tradespersons – to the office and technical employees that carry out research and quality control.
You don’t need to feel isolated or that you are alone in problems at work. You have the power to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of your co-workers. A union means having a voice on the job and taking an active role in shaping your life at work.
Being a union member means you have:
A real say in your workplace.
A strong collective voice that allows you and your coworkers to deal with management as equals and put an end to "one way" decision-making.
Job promotions, transfers, layoffs, recalls that occur without favouritism.
A way for your concerns and problems to be taken seriously and resolved.
Support and Representation when dealing with Workers Compensation, health and safety, and other workplace issues.
Access to union services, resources, and training needed to protect and improve your rights at work.
The right to speak up without fear of being disciplined or fired.
The Steelworkers' union is its members - You are the union in your workplace!
Here today, gone tomorrow
It's true that many non-union companies provide competitive wages, benefits, and bonuses. BUT nothing is guaranteed or protected without a union contract.
Why is a union contract important?
Your contract is a legally-binding document between workers and the employer. It provides an opportunity to negotiate regular pay increases, benefits, and bonuses and address other issues important to you and your coworkers, such as job postings, unfair disciplines, unreasonable company policies, shift schedules, health and safety, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I legally join a union?
YES. The Ontario Labour Relations Act guarantees your right to join a union and to participate in its lawful activities. The law also gives you the right to help your coworkers join the union too.
Can my employer, threaten or fire me for helping organize a union?
NO! It's your Constitutional right as a Canadian! The law protects you and the USW makes sure the law is upheld. The Labour Relations Act says it is illegal for your employer to fire you, suspend you, or punish you in any way for joining the USW or helping your coworkers join.
Aren't there laws that protect us?
Yes. There are laws that set out the minimum standards an employer has to meet, but those are only the basics, such as minimum wage. Also, laws can change and not always for the better.
How much does it cost? Where do my union dues go?
Dues are only 1.55% of gross wages plus 2 cents per hour worked. For example, if you're earning $1000 a week. Your weekly dues are 1.55 percent of $1000 which works out to be $15.50 (plus 2 cents per hour worked.) And because dues are tax deductible, it's a lot less. Dues are collected and banked in Canada for the benefit of our Canadian members.
Also, you won't pay dues until you and your co-workers and vote to accept your first union contract.
Unions: Myth vs. fact
Myth: Unions are outside, third party, special-interest groups.
Fact: You are the union! A union is simply working people standing up for their right to protect improve the workplace. For example, your Union leadership and bargaining committee will be democratically elected, by you, from your group of employees to bring up YOUR issues at the bargaining table.
Myth: Unions just want workers' dues.
Fact: Unions are not-for-profit organizations. The improvements workers win in pay, benefits and fair treatment through their unions are far greater than the cost of dues. In addition, union dues are tax-deductible. Dues pay the cost of contract negotiations, grievance and arbitrations, training for members, legal fees, and much more so the worker will never have to go at it alone.
Myth: The union will make you go on strike.
Fact: 97% of labour contracts are negotiated without a strike. Strikes are a rare last resort in contract negotiations — no union wants a strike. A strike only happens when a majority of workers vote to have one.
Myth: Unions only protect the lazy... the people that should be fired.
Fact: No union contract requires an employer to keep a worker who is lazy, incompetent, or constantly absent or late. What the union does is make sure dismissals are for "Just Cause" - for real reasons - not, for example, personality clashes between the management and an employee.
Myth: If you form a union, you risk losing the benefits and pay raises you already have.
Fact: It is illegal for an employer to freeze or cut previously scheduled raises to discourage you from forming a union.
Once you are organized, you will lock in current wages and benefits and then negotiate from there. All of you will get an opportunity to review your proposed contract before you vote to approve it.
Remember, its your future!
The first step to forming your own Steelworkers union is to sign a union membership card. You can sign it online - from your phone, tablet or computer and card signing is 100% confidential.
Once 40% workers have signed cards, the Ontario Labor Board will conduct a vote where you get to vote YES to join the USW.
We will keep you updated every step of the way.
For a personal and confidential informational call or meeting:
Darlene Jalbert
District 6 Organizing Coordinator
Phone: 613-362-4414
Email: djalbert@usw.ca