USW Canada: District Six Strike Assistance Fund: Power in .1%

After a year of consultation and hard work, I am pleased to announce that we have created a supplemental strike assistance fund. The District 6 Strike Assistance Fund will be available to all District 6 locals. Our process has been both inclusive and transparent so that the District 6 Strike Assistance Fund reflects our membership’s needs.

I crisscrossed the District and met with hundreds of our members and activists to get their support and more importantly, their thoughts and ideas. Our members in every corner of our District tell stories of their struggles in the current environment of collective bargaining. Bargaining is getting more and more difficult. Strikes are getting longer. Employers are forever trying to roll back our hard-won collective agreement gains.

Employers everywhere are demanding that our members accept two tier systems, concessions and long term agreements. Their lists of demands grow each and every day. When our members choose to fight back, we must ensure that they have sufficient resources to take care of their families while they are engaged in these struggles. This Fund will help to make that happen and winning those strikes will benefit us all.

Brothers and Sisters, with the combination of our new District 6 Strike Assistance Fund, our current District 6 Strike Benefit Fund and with the support of our International Strike and Defense Fund our members will have the financial support they need to last one day longer on the picket line.

Please join with the thousands of other Steelworkers who have already this important Fund.

Wayne Fraser
Director

We plan to build our Fund to at least $10 million as quickly as possible.

As a demonstration of commitment to this Fund and in solidarity with our members Director Wayne Fraser, on behalf of District 6, has committed $1 million towards the Fund. The initial installment of $250,000 was deposited into the Fund in June 2006 prior to our District 6 Conference in St. John’s Newfoundland & Labrador. The remaining $750,000 will be contributed onthe following basis:

1st Installment The first deposit, creating the Fund, was in the amount of $250,000 and was made by the District Director in June 2006.

2nd Installment When the Fund balance reaches $2.5 million , the District will contribute an additional $250,000.

3rd Installment When the Fund balance reaches $5 million, the District will contribute an additional $250,000.

4th Installment When the Fund balance reaches $7.5 million, the District will contribute its final $250,000

Participation

While we believe this Fund is an essential tool in protecting and enhancing the lives of our members, participation in the Fund is completely voluntary . Decisions about participation will be made on a local-by-local basis.

Local unions that choose to participate and enjoy the enhanced strike assistance must ask their members to increase their dues by 0.1 per cent over the amount set forth in the USW Constitution.

Think about it, for less than the cost of a coffee each week, our members and their families have the added security of knowing their strike pay has significantly increased.

To join the Fund, a local union must pass a motion at a union meeting. Standard participation motions are available from your staff representative.

For locals that enroll in the Fund prior to December 31st 2006 the dues increase of 0.1 per cent will become effective January 1st, 2007 so that everyone begins contributions at the same time. Members of these Locals will be eligible for strike assistance as soon as the Fund reaches the goal levels without any additional waiting period. (See Strike Assistance Payment section )

To ensure fairness and equity, locals that choose not to begin participation in the Fund prior to December 31st, 2006 will have to participate for 36 months (waiting period) before becoming eligible for strike assistance. The dues increase of 0.1 per cent will become effective the month following the enrollment. To avoid this waiting period all locals are encouraged to pass a motion before the end of 2006.

If a local union has a dues cap in place, 0.1 per cent needs to be added on to the cap as well.

Newly organized bargaining units will automatically be enrolled in the Fund and be eligible for strike assistance for their first and subsequent contracts.

Eligibility

Members of participating locals will receive District 6 strike assistance one week before the start of assistance from the International Strike and Defense Fund. Strike assistance will be paid after the completion of the 14th day of the strike or lock out.

Strike assistance will be payable to those members engaged in assigned strike related activity.

More specific details will be developed in consultation with the Advisory Committee.

Strike Assistance Payments

When the Fund balance reaches $2.5 million, District 6 strike assistance will be paid at $25.00 per week per member engaged in strike duties as per the eligibility rules.

When the Fund balance reaches $5 million, District 6 strike assistance will be paid at $50.00 per week per member engaged in strike duties as per the eligibility rules.

When the Fund balance reaches $7.5 million, District 6 strike assistance will be paid at $75.00 per week per member engaged in strike duties as per the eligibility rules.

When the Fund balance reaches $10 million, District 6 strike assistance will be paid at $100.00 per week per member engaged in strike duties as per the eligibility rules.

Interest Arbitration Assistance

Some of our bargaining units do not have the legal right to strike but instead have access to interest arbitration. That process forces these bargaining units to pay the cost for arbitrators to impose a collective agreement if one cannot be bargained. For bargaining units that participate in our Fund, the International Union will pay the local’s cost of the interest arbitrator and the cost of the union’s nominee to the Board of Arbitration (if applicable). In addition, the union will provide a staff researcher to present our case at arbitration.

Cost Examples for Members

Members with wages of $10 per hour = 40 cents per week

Members with wages of $15 per hour = 60 cents per week

Members with wages of $20 per hour = 80 cents per week

Members with wages of $25 per hour = $1.00 per week

Members with wages of $30 per hour = $1. 20 per week

Union dues are tax deductible. The amount of dues you pay is reduced by 21% to 31%, depending on your annual income. For example, the 40 cents per week contribution costs only 32 cents after taxes. The $1.20 per week contribution costs only 83 cents after taxes.

Advisory Committee

The Fund will have a seven-member advisory committee appointed by the District Director. It will consist of Area Council Leadership Group and Atlantic Conference members, Staff/Key staff representatives, and will be chaired by the District Director.

Role of the Advisory Committee

The Committee will meet to deal with issues such as:

Investment strategies/funding levels
Eligibility – apply Fund rules/ compliance issues.
Ongoing issues – if any issues/problems arise.
Updates – provide regular communications.