IUOE News - Spring 2011

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completely new sites. In Princeton, the Copper
Mountain Mine is slated to open up in the summer
of 2012.
If you are going to one of these mines to work,
drop us a line so we know where you are. Let us know
what is going on so that we know what areas to focus
on.
We would also like to hear from anyone working
at Acres Enterprises Ltd. in Kamloops. The company
seems to be picking up a few jobs around the
area. If you are working there, call us or come into
the office to talk to us.
Heavy Metal Rocks
The third annual Heavy Metal Rocks in
Kamloops will be held from March 31st to April
2nd. This event is put on by the school district and
WorkSafeBC, with help from many contractors and
businesses and the Operating Engineers Local 115.
Organizers are always looking for qualified operators
to help out during the two-and-a-half-day program.
Heavy Metal Rocks gives Grade 11 and 12
students a taste of what our members are out
there doing on a day-to-day basis. It also gives
some of the contractors a look at who will be
graduating and looking for work soon. Last
year’s program revealed two outstanding young
guys who ended up going out as trainees through
our Training Association. One is on the crushing
crew with B.A. Blacktop and the other is an equipment
trainee with Dawson.
We would like to thank the many members, contractors
and shops who’ve helped out over the last
few years: Brentwood, Dawson, SMS, Brandt, Wajax
and others. They help keep the program running.
If you’re interested in helping out this year, give
Member Rep Brad Gerow a call in the Kamloops
office or drop in and talk to him.
We would also like to remind you to come out to
your district meetings. They will help you keep up
with what is going on in your Local Union.
10 News March 2011
District 4
New year brings
sense of optimism
Herb Conat and Wayne Kemp,
Member Representatives
Wayne Kemp, a resident of Prince
George and shop steward for 10 years
at Inland Kenworth/Parker Pacific,
has been hired by Business Manager
Brian Cochrane to work as a member
representative in the Prince George
office. He will be a great asset to the
Local Union and the membership.
There is a buzz and sense of
optimism about all the construction
activity in District 4. Now under
way are the Endako Mines expansion,
the Kitimat Rio Tinto Alcan
Modernization Project and the Mount
Milligan copper mine near the town
of Mackenzie. Enbridge’s Northern
Gateway Alliance Pipeline has been the subject of town
hall meetings in several communities with the company
gathering information and support for this mega-project.
Construction of the Northwest Transmission line will
provide power for the communities and prospective mines
along the Highway 37 corridor.
With many large projects moving from the proposal
stage to reality, it is extremely important for members to
be proactive in supporting them! There are many obstacles
and if we do nothing to assist in their progress, they
will be shelved.
New construction gives us opportunities to increase
our market share and that is key to the future of our Local
Union. Organizing the unorganized gives us our biggest
gains. Bringing in new contractors and members raises
standards for all. Organize now.
In closing, we would like to thank the shop stewards,
organizers and safety committee members who dedicate
countless hours to helping other members enjoy better
and safer workplaces.
Work safely.
ThinkSafety L O C A L 1 1 5
Safety isn’t just a slogan; it’s a way of life.