30.09.2013 Views

IUOE News Fall 2013

The Fall 2013 Edition of the OE News, quarterly publication of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115.

The Fall 2013 Edition of the OE News, quarterly publication of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115.

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<strong>News</strong><br />

Getting<br />

ready for BC’s<br />

megaprojects<br />

October <strong>2013</strong> www.iuoe115.com


<strong>IUOE</strong> <strong>News</strong> is the official<br />

publication of the International<br />

Union of Operating Engineers<br />

Local 115.<br />

Local Executive Board<br />

Business Manager<br />

Brian Cochrane<br />

President<br />

Wayne Mills<br />

Vice-President<br />

Brad Randall<br />

Recording Secretary<br />

Brian Lefebvre<br />

Financial Secretary<br />

Don Swerdan<br />

Treasurer<br />

Frank Carr<br />

Guard<br />

Bob Higgs<br />

Conductor<br />

Dave Hannis<br />

Trustees<br />

Brett Chapman<br />

Brian Moore<br />

Curtis Wright<br />

Auditors<br />

Chip Dhaliwal<br />

Goretti Guibault<br />

Craig McIntosh<br />

District Executive Board<br />

1 - Al Cooper<br />

2 - Tim Cullen<br />

3 - Brad Gerow<br />

4 - Herb Conat<br />

5 - Mike Spiruda<br />

6 - Brian Lefebvre<br />

Publication Committee<br />

Brian Cochrane<br />

Wayne Mills<br />

Lynda Arland<br />

Don Swerdan<br />

Editorial Services<br />

Susan Armstrong, COPE 378<br />

Contact Details<br />

4333 Ledger Avenue,<br />

Burnaby, B.C., V5G 3T3<br />

Telephone: 604-291-8831<br />

Fax: 604-473-5235<br />

Website: www.iuoe115.com<br />

E-mail: iuoe@iuoe115.com<br />

Please<br />

Recycle<br />

On the cover: One of the two massive intakes for the Francis turbines being installed on SNC<br />

Lavalin’s $900 million Waneta Dam expansion project for FortisBC.<br />

The project is scheduled for completion in 2015, directly employs 350 people, and will deliver<br />

335 megawatts to 60,000 homes. It also includes building a 10km transmission line, and<br />

excavated rock will be stored nearby and used in highway construction.<br />

230,000 cubic metres of overburden and 141,000 of rock were excavated in the powerhouse<br />

area, and another 62,000 cubic metres excavated from the power tunnels and the adit. At the<br />

intake nearly 19,000 of cubic metres of overburden and 78,000 of rock were removed.<br />

Features<br />

<strong>News</strong> Updates 4<br />

LNG Workforce Action Plan shows shortage of skilled workers in BC 14<br />

BC Premier meets with labour leaders on LNG workforce 20<br />

55th Annual <strong>IUOE</strong> Canadian Conference 26<br />

Member Profile: Kasper Mayer 34<br />

General Membership Meeting update 36<br />

Reports<br />

Business Manager<br />

Outcome of case disappointing, but key gains made 1<br />

President<br />

Training is key to meet the development demands of northern B.C. projects 3<br />

District 1<br />

What’s really behind the high rise condo boom? 6<br />

Paving industry leads the way 7<br />

Here comes the end-of-season push 8<br />

Challenges from all sides, but our members keep us strong 9<br />

Keeping busy is always a good thing 9<br />

Negotiations forge ahead along with Peace River Coal expansion 10<br />

Skilled operators are still needed across North America 11<br />

“Right to Work” comes to Canada while TFW changes still need improvement 12<br />

Union Organizing<br />

Operators are in demand, and certification will keep it that way 13<br />

Dispatcher’s Report<br />

Work is out there, if your skills and details are up to date 13<br />

District 2<br />

Slow start to the season may be the least of our concerns for <strong>2013</strong> 16<br />

District 3<br />

Paving work still strong while shops are overflowing 18<br />

District 4<br />

Training program up north is the Union and members’ ticket to success 19<br />

District 5<br />

Megaprojects start to gather steam 21<br />

District 6<br />

As work slows, we should count our successes and plan ahead 22<br />

Bargaining becomes a priority as the season changes 23<br />

Benefit Plans<br />

Know your retirement options and plan ahead 24<br />

Training Association<br />

Training takes centre stage at events, and on government agendas 29<br />

18th Annual Training Association Open House and Heavy Equipment Rodeo 32<br />

Regulars<br />

Member Service Awards 39<br />

Pensions Awarded 43<br />

Deceased Members 43<br />

Welcome to our new members 44<br />

Contact Information and District Meetings 45


Positive negotiations<br />

are taking place on<br />

many levels<br />

Brian Cochrane,<br />

Business Manager<br />

As we begin to enter the fall season, we can look back over<br />

the summer months and confidently say that this has been a<br />

good summer for Operating Engineers from a work<br />

perspective.<br />

Crane operators remain in high demand; our members in<br />

the paving sector have seen excellent hours; and our members<br />

working the Kemano backup tunnel and Kitimat modernization<br />

project have reached their peak employment numbers.<br />

We have spent many months this year trying to secure a<br />

new collective agreement for the blacktop industry in the<br />

Lower Mainland. Without a doubt, this has been a frustrating<br />

process, and trying to keep the contractors in this industry all<br />

on the same page has been a challenge. At the time of writing,<br />

we are currently conducting a mail-out ballot to all of our<br />

members to try and ratify a settlement which will give these<br />

members some certainty for the next couple of years.<br />

Your bargaining committee is also currently in the process<br />

of trying to ratify the industry-wide settlement agreements<br />

that we have with the Construction Labor Relations Association<br />

(CLR). Although most of our members working under a<br />

heavy construction agreement (or an addendum thereof)<br />

have been receiving increases for<br />

quite some time, this ratification<br />

process is required by legislation<br />

for all industries and all building<br />

trades.<br />

A final ballot count will be held<br />

in early November, at which time<br />

we hopefully can conclude this round of negotiations and<br />

prepare for bargaining again in 2014.<br />

On September 9th B.C.’s Premier, Christy Clark, requested<br />

a meeting with the building trades and other labour leaders in<br />

British Columbia. I attended this meeting on behalf of the<br />

Operating Engineers, and I can say that this is the first time<br />

labour has been asked to sit at the same table as a partner in a<br />

very long time.<br />

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how labour can<br />

participate with business and government in the development<br />

of northern British Colombia’s LNG reserves. This was<br />

one of the Liberal’s election promises, and with billions of<br />

“Hopefully the government will start<br />

to place a higher value on the skills<br />

of our members and especially the<br />

efforts of the <strong>IUOE</strong> Training<br />

Association in recent years.“<br />

Business Manager<br />

On September 9th, <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 joined B.C. Premier Christy Clark<br />

and other influential labour organizations to discuss the<br />

government’s and unions’ workforce training strategies for LNG<br />

projects, set to start in the near future.<br />

dollars of construction at stake, it was encouraging to see this<br />

initiative take place. Hopefully the government will start to<br />

place a higher value on the skills of our members and espe-<br />

cially the efforts of the <strong>IUOE</strong><br />

Training Association in recent years.<br />

With the provincial election behind<br />

us, we must move forward and try<br />

to advance many of these projects<br />

that are currently being reviewed.<br />

Along with the LNG projects, Site<br />

C, Northern Gateway and the Kinder Morgan Pipeline are all<br />

advancing as well, and we are meeting with a number of<br />

stakeholders regarding all of these projects, to ensure our<br />

members are engaged in as much of the opportunities they<br />

create as possible. The combined numbers are staggering:<br />

over $100 billion of investment with 100,000 jobs created, and<br />

decades of employment opportunities.<br />

Your President, Brother Wayne Mills, and Training Administrator,<br />

Brother Brad Randall, have been working hard on<br />

developing some training initiatives for First Nations in<br />

northern British Columbia.<br />

First Nations are a key stakeholder in the development of<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 1


Business Manager<br />

all of these projects, and a strong program of skills training<br />

and employment opportunities will be the foundation for the<br />

success of these projects and the people who work on them.<br />

The changes to the TFW program brought about by the<br />

Local during our legal challenge with HD Mining are now<br />

starting to ripple through government, under close scrutiny<br />

by the media and public. The 15% wage differential, foreign<br />

language requirements, and accelerated application process<br />

were suspended shortly after the case ruling.<br />

On July 31, <strong>2013</strong>, more broad amendments to the program<br />

were also formally adopted: TFW applicants now have to<br />

organizations that want you to work for third world wages, it<br />

is nice to see a success like the one <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 150 (Chicago)<br />

recently achieved; they stopped the state of Illinois from this<br />

anti-union attack on the basis of it being unconstitutional.<br />

Congratulations to Sixth Vice President, Brother Sweeney, for<br />

his success in this battle.<br />

At the end of August, the 55th Canadian Conference of the<br />

Operating Engineers was held in Nanaimo, British Columbia,<br />

at the Coast Bastion Hotel. It was 25 years ago since the last<br />

conference was held there, and <strong>IUOE</strong> Locals 115, 882, and<br />

963 hosted delegates and representatives from across the<br />

apply and prove a more extensive<br />

search for Canadian labour<br />

before looking overseas to fill<br />

“The changes to the TFW program<br />

brought about by the Local during our<br />

country.<br />

General President James T.<br />

Callahan attended, along with<br />

positions; the application forms legal challenge with HD Mining are now several guest speakers who provid-<br />

and process has been revised to starting to ripple through government” ed information and direction on<br />

try and uncover unnecessary<br />

issues we need to be focused on,<br />

applications earlier; and a $275 processing fee (previously both today and in the years ahead. The conference was well-<br />

paid by taxpayers) will be applied to every application to help organized, enjoyable, and informative. Well done to everyone<br />

discourage the program’s abuse.<br />

involved.<br />

Although the Government still has more work to do in I would like to welcome aboard Brothers Bryan Railton<br />

protecting the interests of Canadians, our members are proud and Todd Jones who have been hired as staff organizers for<br />

of these achievements ,as Local 115 has helped shape Cana- the Local. With all of the work potential and non-union jobs<br />

da’s future for the better while protecting jobs for Operating currently going on, there is no better time to increase our<br />

Engineers.<br />

market share and I know they will both do an excellent job on<br />

Right to work legislation (otherwise known as anti-union behalf of our members.<br />

legislation) is still being promoted by the merit shops and To close, I would just like to say thank you for your support<br />

ultra-conservative political groups in the US and Canada. as we move the Local forward to meet the challenges of today,<br />

While labour is always under attack from these and plan for tomorrow.<br />

Local 115 delegates with General President James T. Callahan and General Secretary Brian Hickey at the 55th Canadian Conference in<br />

Nanaimo, recognizing past President Jack Whittaker’s 50 years of membership with his wife, Hazel, in front.<br />

2 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong>


Training is key to meet<br />

the development<br />

demands of northern<br />

B.C. projects<br />

Wayne E. Mills,<br />

President<br />

Hello, and I hope the summer was enjoyable and safe. With<br />

the evenings getting dark earlier, remember to watch out for<br />

the kids; they don’t realize they can’t always be seen, while<br />

some drivers think their day time running lights are ok for use<br />

in the evening.<br />

Shandong Province Federation of Trade Unions<br />

In mid-August, I had the opportunity, through the B.C.<br />

Federation of Labour, to meet with a delegation of Trade<br />

Unionists from China. The representatives were from the<br />

14th Congress of Shandong Provincial Trade Unions from<br />

Jinan, Shandong Province. The Shandong Province is about a<br />

third of the size of B.C., south of<br />

Beijing and north of Shanghai, on<br />

the East China Sea. The Chinese<br />

government mandates the Unions<br />

and as such, there are 22 million<br />

members in the Provincial Federation.<br />

We discussed a variety of topics, ranging from their provincial<br />

economy slowing to 9.6% last year (a problem we wish we<br />

had), to Occupational Health and Safety regulations and how<br />

they are enforced. This subject had their interpreter scrambling,<br />

as they seemed to get a little excited and all had<br />

something to say about it.<br />

We also talked about Chinese workers that travel abroad to<br />

find work in Canada—the Temporary Foreign Workers—<br />

regarding their growing numbers, as well as their treatment<br />

and compensation. Let’s say there was a ‘slight cultural difference’<br />

between their view on TFWs and us on that one, but<br />

overall, it was an interesting and informative few hours, and<br />

definitely worth the exposure.<br />

The delegates kindly offered a reciprocal visit, but after the<br />

TFW court case, we will need to see if there is any value to our<br />

Local worth considering.<br />

Northern Work and growing membership<br />

Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to<br />

participate with a few of the other building trades representatives<br />

in meetings with the groups of owners for various LNG<br />

Terminals and the Natural Gas and Oil Pipelines that are<br />

working their way through the permitting process. There is a<br />

wide variety of ideas regarding what the Project Labour<br />

Agreements (PLA’s) should contain, while the owners’ main<br />

“Let’s just say that there was a ‘slight<br />

cultural difference’ between the<br />

Chinese’ view on TFWs and us”<br />

President’s Message<br />

issue is our ability to supply qualified operators that are ready,<br />

willing and capable of working in the north. This is an ongoing<br />

issue and one that is well covered in this issue.<br />

Work in the north will drive this province for the next few<br />

years; be it pipelines, LNG terminals, or mine. These industries<br />

will demand massive investment, and with that comes<br />

the repair and maintenance of the equipment needed to build,<br />

service, and operate the industries for decades to come.<br />

As the market expands, our contractors and shops will<br />

grow along with our membership. However, we must face the<br />

challenges of our baby-boomer workforce looking to retire, so<br />

we need to develop programs and campaigns that will identify<br />

and attract new members, to fill both the jobs that are available<br />

due to attrition, as well as an increased market.<br />

Following the Labour Day weekend, Brother Brad Randall<br />

(<strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 Vice-president and Training Association<br />

Administrator) and I met with some of the major contractors<br />

in the north, from Prince George to Prince Rupert, to discuss<br />

what training or upgrading of skills is in demand, as well as<br />

where new members may be found. We ended up high-<br />

centered with the Rupert meetings<br />

and did not have time to get into<br />

Kitimat but that should happen later<br />

this fall.<br />

One group we are looking to for<br />

new members is the First Nations of our province; over 35 per<br />

cent of the First Nations people in B.C. are under 30. So, with<br />

the help of Brother Brian Pelletier (Aboriginal Coordinator<br />

from Local 793), Brother Randall and I were introduced to<br />

the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment & Training<br />

Association (PGNAETA), and also met with Executive<br />

Director Karin Hunt and a number of the Board Members to<br />

discuss training opportunities for this potential workforce.<br />

We also participated in the partners in trades’ forum, held<br />

by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) Aboriginal Initiatives<br />

and UA Local 170, where we met with a number of First<br />

Nation Training groups.<br />

Being at these forums are great for gaining valuable exposure,<br />

as we need to let people know who Local 115 is and what<br />

we do. To get a better ‘inside track’ into the proceedings,<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Local 793’s Business Manager Mike Gallagher sent<br />

Brother Brian Pelletier to assist us in connecting with the<br />

right people; many thanks for this assistance.<br />

Barring another world economic meltdown, when (not if)<br />

our unionized contractors start picking up the work on the<br />

pipelines, LNG terminals, mines and the utilities needed to<br />

support these jobs, we need to be ready with trained people<br />

who are ready willing and able to work in the North.<br />

In closing, I hope you have a safe and productive fall, and<br />

remember, someone wants you to get home safely.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 3


<strong>News</strong> Updates<br />

<strong>News</strong> Updates<br />

TFWs still in the news<br />

The Temporary Foreign<br />

Worker issue continues to<br />

appear in headlines every<br />

few weeks.<br />

While the abolishment of<br />

the 15 per cent wage difference<br />

allowance between<br />

residents and TFWs has been<br />

largely accepted, there have<br />

been concerns surrounding<br />

the fee that has been placed<br />

on new TFW applications.<br />

While negligible to large<br />

corporations using TFWs,<br />

smaller contractors and businesses<br />

that claim to need the<br />

TFW program to operate say<br />

that they will be hit hard,<br />

saying they will not be able<br />

to afford the $275 fee per<br />

application, plus the $150 for<br />

each issued permit.<br />

Their concern raises the<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 Christmas Dance<br />

Saturday, December 14, <strong>2013</strong><br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Auditorium, 4333 Ledger Avenue, Burnaby<br />

4 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

importance of continuously<br />

monitoring any changes that<br />

government makes to the<br />

TFW process,. We must<br />

ensure the changes they<br />

make meet the needs of all<br />

workers, without potentially<br />

harming others, rather than<br />

reacting with one-size-fitsall<br />

solutions.<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Local 150 fights<br />

“Right to Work”<br />

Local 150 of the <strong>IUOE</strong> in<br />

Illinois recently challenged<br />

and won an appeal against<br />

right to work legislation in<br />

the state.<br />

In early September, State<br />

Judge Daniel Sedia ruled in<br />

favour of the Local, declaring<br />

Indiana’s right to work law as<br />

unconstitutional.<br />

An appeal was made<br />

against the ruling, but Local<br />

150’s attorneys presented<br />

arguments exposing right to<br />

work’s fundamental flaws,<br />

which go against the National<br />

Labor Relations Act.<br />

Dale Pierson, general<br />

counsel for Local 150, put it<br />

to the Federal Court that<br />

“right to work laws have<br />

operated beyond their jurisdiction<br />

essentially unchecked<br />

since 1963”, since it demands<br />

unions provide services<br />

without compensation, even<br />

though federal law allows<br />

workers to opt out of full<br />

dues payment.<br />

Judge Diane P. Wood, who<br />

presided over the appellate<br />

panel, agreed with Piersen’s<br />

argument.<br />

“When people render<br />

services they are entitled to<br />

be paid, and federal law<br />

imposes the obligation,” she<br />

said. “I don’t see how you can<br />

get around that.”<br />

A Supreme Court appeal<br />

has been filed against the<br />

ruling, so Local 150 continues<br />

to prepare its case in the<br />

coming months.<br />

OE Pension Plan invests<br />

in dialysis centre<br />

As part of their strategic<br />

portfolio, the Operating<br />

Engineers’ Pension Plan<br />

(OEPP) recently invested<br />

with the Interior Health<br />

Authority to build a dialysis<br />

clinic in a Kamloops strip<br />

mall (also owned by the<br />

OEPP and home to our<br />

District 3 office). Health officials,<br />

politicians and patients<br />

attended its opening on<br />

September 13, <strong>2013</strong>.<br />

The clinic will provide<br />

Tickets go on sale November 1 st<br />

$35/person, $30/pensioners<br />

Doors open at 6:00p.m.<br />

Cocktails at 6:30p.m.<br />

Smorgasbord Dinner at 7:30p.m.<br />

Dancing from 8:30p.m. to 1:00a.m.<br />

Call 604-291-8831 to book.


Kamloops’ new dialysis clinic has opened next door to <strong>IUOE</strong> Local<br />

115’s District 3 office, thanks in part to an OEPP investment.<br />

hemodialysis services to<br />

nearby kidney patients who<br />

previously had to travel to<br />

Royal Inland Hospital for<br />

their treatment.<br />

The new facility was also<br />

designed and furnished in a<br />

more modern and inviting<br />

manner than usual, something<br />

patients say makes a<br />

difference to their healing.<br />

Already, the clinic treats<br />

16 patients every week.<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> 115’s new website<br />

and digital strategy<br />

At the end of August,<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> 115 launched their<br />

completely rebuilt website<br />

featuring easier navigation,<br />

rich media content, a news<br />

section, online merchandise<br />

store, and other features.<br />

Creating engagement with<br />

our members is a key aspect<br />

towards strengthening and<br />

growing Local 115 and<br />

servicing our members. The<br />

website is the first step in a<br />

revamped digital strategy<br />

which will serve our younger,<br />

technological audience, as<br />

well as make it easy for every<br />

member to access the information<br />

(and people) they<br />

need to stay informed,<br />

engaged, and influential<br />

Local 115 members.<br />

The strategy is supported<br />

by a bi-weekly e-mail newsletter<br />

(launching in October),<br />

an updated YouTube video<br />

channel, and a Facebook<br />

page to share updates and<br />

news. The online experience<br />

will continue to be expanded<br />

in the future, so please check<br />

back often to see updates.<br />

To visit the new site simply<br />

go to www.iuoe115.com.<br />

Your feedback is welcome.<br />

Federal Canada Jobs<br />

Plan comes under fire<br />

The federal government’s<br />

proposed changes to nationally-funded<br />

job programs, as<br />

part of their Canada Jobs<br />

Plan, is drawing concern.<br />

The existing five year old<br />

Labour Market Agreement<br />

between them and B.C.<br />

expires in March 2014, and<br />

delivers around $346 million<br />

every year to assist with<br />

provincial training assistance<br />

programs, managed by the<br />

province. However, the new<br />

plan proposes training assistance<br />

(up to $5,000) only<br />

where the amount is matched<br />

by an employer, and a province<br />

or territory.<br />

This effectively excludes<br />

anyone who is unemployed<br />

from receiving any benefits<br />

from the plan.<br />

B.C. labour market ministers<br />

joined the country’s<br />

premiers stating they could<br />

not support the program in<br />

its current state. While some<br />

agreed that the province’s<br />

training assistance programs<br />

were in need of improvement,<br />

removing $600 million<br />

in provincial funding, used<br />

to assist vulnerable workers,<br />

is not the answer.<br />

With the ongoing lack of<br />

public information available<br />

on the successes or failures of<br />

provincial training programs,<br />

many feel the Canada Jobs<br />

Plan is government’s way of<br />

trying regain control of the<br />

way training grant money is<br />

being spent.<br />

But B.C.’s Minister of Jobs,<br />

Tourism and Skills Training,<br />

Shirley Bond, believes that<br />

denying funding to provincial<br />

programs could be<br />

devastating.<br />

“There are programs that<br />

have shown a significant<br />

effectiveness, and we don’t<br />

want those programs to be<br />

<strong>News</strong> Updates<br />

<strong>News</strong> Updates<br />

lost” she said. “If you make<br />

the shift in policy that moves<br />

away from marginalized<br />

Canadians, what happens to<br />

that work group?<br />

115 welcomes a 4th<br />

generation organizer<br />

Bryan Railton has recently<br />

joined Local 115’s ranks as<br />

an organizer.<br />

If the surname sounds<br />

familiar, it’s because Bryan<br />

comes from a long line of<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> members and representatives.<br />

This includes his<br />

father, past 115 President<br />

and current Canadian International<br />

representative,<br />

Lionel Railton.<br />

We welcome Bryan and<br />

expect him to be a great asset<br />

in the continued growth and<br />

success of Local 115<br />

OE <strong>News</strong> summer<br />

issue delay<br />

The publication committee<br />

apologises for the delay in<br />

sending out the summer<br />

<strong>2013</strong> issue of the OE <strong>News</strong>.<br />

Due to the unforeseen<br />

production, mailing and<br />

printing delays, members<br />

may have received the issue<br />

up to a month later than<br />

expected. For this reason,<br />

this issue has been purposely<br />

staggered into October.<br />

We have also completely<br />

overhauled the magazine’s<br />

publishing processes to bring<br />

the production and layout<br />

in-house, which will save<br />

costs, avoid future delays,<br />

and make the magazine more<br />

up to date in every way.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 5


District One<br />

What’s really behind<br />

the high rise condo<br />

boom?<br />

Craig McIntosh,<br />

Member Representative<br />

There are as many tower cranes up in the Lower Mainland<br />

now as there were during the Olympic boom prior to the<br />

recession that hit us late in 2008. The majority of these tower<br />

cranes are on high rise condo sites.<br />

The main driver of condo sales is international investors,<br />

most from Mainland China, who buy them and then allow<br />

them to sit empty. In fact, some realtors<br />

estimate that Mainland Chinese buyers<br />

make up 80 per cent of the condo sales<br />

in downtown and west side Vancouver.<br />

So what is wrong with this picture? We’ve got many<br />

members digging the excavations and putting in services to<br />

these sites, as well as crane operators and concrete pump<br />

operators working on these sites.<br />

The problem is the Chinese economy is faltering and the<br />

wealthy international buyers are drying up. Meanwhile, our<br />

members and our kids who work on these condo sites in<br />

Vancouver cannot afford to buy these units.<br />

In late 2008 Vancouver condo market prices dropped 36<br />

per cent over a six month period, then recovered over the next<br />

24 months. By 2011 prices were back to all-time highs, which<br />

6 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

“Realtors estimate that Mainland<br />

Chinese buyers make up 80 per<br />

cent of downtown condo sales”<br />

has brought on the ‘high rise condo boom’ we are experiencing<br />

now. But when the Chinese property bubble pops (which<br />

experts say may happen within the next year), and we are<br />

flooded with an excessive amount of inventory built since<br />

2011, prices are likely to drop to 2008-2009 prices.<br />

This would be good news for many first time buyers trying<br />

to get into the housing market, but bad news for the construction<br />

jobs that would be lost while the market once again takes<br />

a few wears to correct itself. Let’s just hope that the Vancouver<br />

condo market has the foresight to smooth the impact of the<br />

bubble somehow and keep our construction crews busy<br />

through whatever ups and downs lay ahead.<br />

After 24 years of talking about it, Skytrain’s Evergreen Line<br />

is being extended from Lougheed Mall in Burnaby to<br />

Coquitlam Town Centre. Construction started ramping up in<br />

July with a number of our contractors and members picking<br />

up work on the Evergreen line.<br />

This $1.4 billion project will take<br />

approximately three years to construct,<br />

and with it many new developments<br />

will be built along the line at each Skytrain station, as has<br />

happened (and is still happening) along the existing Skytrain<br />

lines.<br />

In closing, please remember to keep the Union informed of<br />

your current contact information. Too often we get mail sent<br />

back to us marked “return to sender, wrong address”, or<br />

Dispatch phones a member about a job only to hear “the<br />

number you have called is not in service”.<br />

Don’t let a simple admin issue stop you from potentially<br />

landing your dream job!<br />

Work safe.<br />

Mainland Sand & Gravel<br />

crew Brothers Rick Osborne,<br />

Dave Block, John Townley,<br />

James Mather, Glen Wanek,<br />

and Quentin Mather.<br />

Brothers Dean Hanna and<br />

Patrick Belanger between<br />

two loaders.


This has been a busy year for our members working in the<br />

paving industry. B.A. Blacktop is working on Highway 1, and<br />

Imperial has plenty to do on the south perimeter road. We<br />

have not seen paving jobs of this size probably since 1986<br />

during work on the Alex Fraser Bridge, building the HOV<br />

lanes on Highway 1 in 1997, or of course the massive Sea to<br />

Sky highway project.<br />

B.A. Blacktop has been working on the Highway 1 project<br />

for two years now with a night shift crew, milling and paving<br />

sections at a time, opening up those that are ready and diverting<br />

traffic as needed.<br />

Imperial has had large sections they could complete on<br />

new grade with the luxury of no traffic to compete with. They<br />

are using two pavers with pick-ups on the front of the hoppers,<br />

while the trucks, using belly dumps, lay out windrows. This<br />

saves the trucks time, as they don’t need to keep backing up<br />

and dumping into the hopper, and instead the paver can<br />

continually keep moving; I talked to some of the crew, and<br />

they said they laid 3,600 tons in a single day.<br />

In Langley the work has been spread around between the<br />

various contractors. Columbia paved a large section of Fraser<br />

Brother Enrico Mastrodonato<br />

and the Imperial Paving crew<br />

laying asphalt on the South<br />

Perimeter road<br />

Paving industry leads<br />

the way<br />

Everett Cummings,<br />

Member Representative<br />

District One<br />

Highway’s four lanes, including turning lanes, from 204th<br />

Street across 200th Street. Imperial meanwhile completed a<br />

‘shave and pave’ job on 200th Street, from 74th to about 70th<br />

Avenue. This was also a large four lane job with turning lanes,<br />

as well as a fifth merging lane.<br />

Grandview is also busy paving Fraser Highway and 232,<br />

where B&B Contracting added an extra lane.<br />

Another big job going on around the Langley and Surrey<br />

border this year is B.A. Blacktop on their combo site. This<br />

consists of two overpasses that cross the train tracks on 192nd,<br />

making a new road coming out on 56th that leads to another<br />

overpass crossing the Langley bypass (Highway 10) towards<br />

the Surrey/Langley border. Another large project is the overpass<br />

at Mufford Crescent; many contractors have had work on<br />

that site, including Richco, B&B, Columbia, and Fraser River<br />

pile and dredge.<br />

The third overpass is being completed by Martens Asphalt<br />

on the north side of the 232 and Highway 1, also going over<br />

another set of railway tracks.<br />

These are big projects that needed to be done for a long<br />

time now as the trains cut the City of Langley and Township<br />

of Langley in half, due to how long these cargo trains are,<br />

especially with more trains running out of the port. This is<br />

why, on the combo project, the costs are shared between City<br />

of Surrey, Township of Langley, the Port Authority, and the<br />

rail company.<br />

Let’s hope there will be more of these big projects with<br />

shared costs in the future, as it makes it more cost effective<br />

and viable for these projects to kick off, while putting cost<br />

issues and concerns on the back burner.<br />

Work safe!<br />

<strong>News</strong> July <strong>2013</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> <strong>News</strong> 7


District One<br />

Here comes the endof-season<br />

push<br />

Bob Higgs,<br />

Member Representative<br />

Overall the work picture is steady. It seems as if everyone is<br />

trying to get the work finished before the bad weather sets in,<br />

creating a push to complete projects.<br />

This may be a challenge for some contractors, since I have<br />

noticed (as was the case for most of the year) many crews are<br />

working with one, and sometimes two men short. In light of<br />

this, it looks like the skilled worker shortage everyone seems<br />

to be talking about is gaining steam.<br />

With the wrap-up of the Highway 1<br />

and South Perimeter road we should be<br />

seeing a number of workers becoming<br />

available within a year or two. By that<br />

time there should hopefully be good<br />

news surrounding some of the major projects our province’s<br />

leaders announced during the last election.<br />

Time will tell which ones will be let, and who knows, with<br />

some careful planning, they may start just as the other projects<br />

end and the worker supply is a bit less strained.<br />

This is not a new concern for us. For the last two years the<br />

many projects in the lower mainland have been demanding<br />

more workers than could be supplied, creating pressure on<br />

skilled labour supply across the entire region. Now it looks<br />

like the projects in north and northwest B.C. are going to be<br />

draining our ranks even further. Work in these regions looks<br />

like it will be attracting skilled workers for many years to<br />

come.<br />

“For the last two years, projects<br />

in the Lower Mainland have<br />

demanded more workers than<br />

could be supplied”<br />

Blasting operations at Mainland Sand and Gravel’s Jamieson Quarry on Abbotsford’s Sumas Mountain.<br />

8 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

As a journeyman on the job you will more than likely be<br />

seeing a lot more trainees as well as apprentices joining your<br />

team. These men and women are hoping to learn most of their<br />

trades skills from you, and are being massively promoted by<br />

government action plans and trades training associations as<br />

the saviour to B.C.’s impending skilled worker shortage issue.<br />

We need to be patient when dealing with these apprentices<br />

and trainees, and we also need to be clear when giving our<br />

instructions. Remember that the knowledge and understanding<br />

you have of your trade came with years of experience, and<br />

that they have just started out, so be sure to explain yourself in<br />

a way that they can learn from and help you. The one thing I<br />

hear more than any other is “I thought he said…”<br />

Make sure a new worker understands what it is he or she is<br />

being asked to do, and if you are a new worker, you must<br />

ensure you know exactly what it is you’re being asked to do<br />

before proceeding. Not doing so will not only create an unpro-<br />

ductive working relationship and<br />

environment, but an unsafe one too.<br />

With all the work being done in the<br />

province, the Operating Engineers have<br />

been growing at an incredible rate, with<br />

a large number of workers looking to us<br />

as their source for stable, well-paying jobs. This is an excellent<br />

sign for our current situation and future.<br />

Just a reminder to all members old and new; if you get mail<br />

from us, it is most assuredly important; we would not send<br />

you something for the fun of it. Many members have missed<br />

out on great opportunities because the correspondence from<br />

us was never opened.<br />

Similarly, if you receive something you don’t understand or<br />

want further information on, please don’t hesitate to give us a<br />

call. So again, if you receive something in the mail from the<br />

Operating Engineers it is in your best interest to not only open<br />

it but to respond to it as well.<br />

Have a great fall season and remember to work safe.


Challenges from all<br />

sides, but our<br />

members keep us<br />

strong<br />

Chip Dhaliwal,<br />

Member Representative<br />

Hello Brothers & Sisters:<br />

We will be commencing bargaining with Wastech in the<br />

first week of October. Wastech has been a challenge as there<br />

are three geographical areas—the Lower Mainland, Cache<br />

Creek, and the Thompson Nicola Regional District—that<br />

each have their own specific issues.<br />

The Lower Mainland group consists of<br />

five transfer stations, the Cache Creek<br />

landfill, and the TNRD, which consists of<br />

five landfills and 27 transfer stations.<br />

Bargaining will once again be extremely challenging;<br />

however I’m sure we can get a deal signed shortly. Shop Stewards<br />

from each area will be assisting Don Swerdan and I<br />

during bargaining, so hopefully we can get all the decision<br />

makers and information into a room and put pen to paper.<br />

I am also currently bargaining with Harrigan Rentals, and<br />

Keeping busy is<br />

always a good thing<br />

Stewart Miller,<br />

Member Representative<br />

Hello Brothers and Sisters.<br />

Lots has been going on around the collective bargaining<br />

with Coast Mountain Fuels, while Parrish & Heimbecker have<br />

been completed, and fortunately all went well.<br />

Collective bargaining is back on track at Thermo King B.C.<br />

We took a break after agreeing on a cooling-off period for<br />

both sides to re-think what they want from the agreement,<br />

and now we are back at the table again.<br />

Negotiations with Richmond Soil & Fibre (Harvest Power)<br />

went well, especially considering their head office is out of<br />

California. Timelines were kept tight, resulting in a first<br />

Collective Agreement being ratified at the beginning of<br />

September. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but are<br />

District One<br />

should have something for the members to vote on soon.<br />

Clean Harbors has also been an interesting challenge.<br />

Clean Harbors bought a company called Safety Kleen for<br />

$1.25 billion, and both companies have branches all over<br />

North America, and even worldwide.<br />

One of those Safety Kleen branches (non-union of course),<br />

turns out to be right across the street from Clean Harbors.<br />

Recently, Clean Harbors terminated half of the Union<br />

members, and moved work across the street to the non-union<br />

Safety Kleen facility. Adding insult to injury, they have Operating<br />

Engineers from Clean Harbors picking up waste from<br />

their customers, but delivering it to the non-union employees<br />

at Safety Kleen.<br />

The Union has filed our case with the Labour Relations<br />

Board, and we will be presenting our case at the end of<br />

“Adding insult to injury, October.<br />

In closing, I want to say thanks to all<br />

they have Operating<br />

my shop stewards without whom there<br />

Engineers delivering to the<br />

wouldn’t be enough hours in the day to<br />

non-union employees...” deal with all the issues that arise. The past<br />

few months have been extremely busy and made me realize<br />

what a critical part the Shop Stewards play in ensuring the<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> achieves its goals and grows stronger You are to be<br />

commended for all your work on behalf of your co-workers<br />

and the union itself.<br />

Thank you for your support and stay safe.<br />

moving in the right direction. This is an important agreement<br />

as they could potentially expand their plants and operations<br />

across B.C. in the future.<br />

It’s good to see and hear that during the summer not only<br />

the construction side of things kept busy, but the shops are<br />

also reporting that they are keeping busy at their end too. This<br />

is a clear demonstration of how, by keeping one industry<br />

working and successful, the knock-on effects into other areas,<br />

industries and occupations creates jobs for all of us. In so<br />

many ways, our industries are tied together and depend on<br />

each other to stay busy.<br />

Busy is good; being busy means we are creating and growing<br />

more skilled members, and this makes it easier for us to<br />

compete with non-union contractors and businesses by<br />

signing up new companies and signing new agreements.<br />

In closing, I hope you all had a good summer, although we<br />

look forward to continuing to be busy through the slower fall<br />

and winter months ahead of us.<br />

Remember, Union is a good thing—it’s no secret, and we<br />

need to keep spreading the word that we’re always looking for<br />

good skilled operators. It’s good for the Local, and its good for<br />

our signatory companies.<br />

Work safe.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 9


District One<br />

Negotiations forge<br />

ahead, along with<br />

Peace River Coal<br />

expansion<br />

Brett Chapman,<br />

Member Representative<br />

Brothers and sisters it’s that time again; to say hello and<br />

update you with progress.<br />

On the bargaining front I am currently in negotiations with<br />

Pacific Coast Heavy Truck (formally known as Volvo). Pacific<br />

has two locations—one on Annacis Island and one in Surrey—<br />

and I will be negotiating with both at the same time.<br />

Fortunately I don’t anticipate many major problems<br />

throughout these negotiations as I have<br />

two strong shop stewards to depend<br />

on. These are Brother Rob Coburn<br />

from Volvo on Annacis Island, and<br />

Brother Carl Jaggernath from the<br />

Surrey location. We all look forward to<br />

a new contract that should satisfy everyone at both of the<br />

Pacific Coast Heavy Truck locations.<br />

I am also currently assisting brother Everett Cummings in<br />

negotiations with Inland Kenworth, and would like to thank<br />

the shop stewards involved who have helped make things<br />

much easier. These shop stewards are Brothers Max Mars,<br />

Peace River Coal’s Trend mine in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. The company is<br />

expanding into Roman Mountain, with production starting in 2014<br />

and set to create around 100 new jobs. Photo courtesy Minesight.<br />

10 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

“The $200 million dollar<br />

expansion at Peace River Coal<br />

is estimated to create 100<br />

additional job openings”<br />

Rob Lane, and Ray Johns; thank you for all your hard work<br />

and patience during the negotiation process.<br />

As you may know, I also look after Peace River Coal, a coal<br />

mine up north in Tumbler Ridge (and the same area where<br />

Chinese-owned HD Mining set up their operations, which<br />

resulted in the Temporary Foreign Worker court case).<br />

There have been several issues lately that have crept into<br />

Peace River Coal. Most of these have been resolved, but there<br />

are many more to deal with and work through with our<br />

members and the company.<br />

Now is not the time to ignore these issues, as small or<br />

simple as they may seem at first. Negotiations are still a little<br />

over a year off, but we can never afford to sit back and relax;<br />

we need to stay on top of the issues and iron out the contract<br />

language to ensure we deliver the best possible outcomes for<br />

our members at Peace River Coal.<br />

Adding to the difficulties is the fact that coal prices are at<br />

an all-time low, which makes it difficult<br />

for Peace River Coal to reach an<br />

easy agreement, as they will be comparing<br />

any proposal to their sales figures<br />

and profit statements. Other mines just<br />

outside of Tumbler Ridge are also<br />

struggling because of the drop in coal prices.<br />

Luckily for Peace River Coal, they are part of the Anglo-<br />

American group and therefore have the resources to press<br />

forward through these difficult times, and have been approved<br />

to start digging their open pit mine in Roman Mountain, just<br />

south of the current Trend mine.<br />

This is a $200 million dollar expansion, with Peace River<br />

Coal committing $50 million for the first phase of development.<br />

It is estimated that 100 additional job openings will be<br />

created during the expansion, bringing Peace River Coal’s<br />

combined operations to a total full-time employment figure<br />

to around 450 workers.<br />

Production from Roman Mountain is said to start in 2014,<br />

and the Operating Engineers look forward to the expansion<br />

into Roman Mountain and the opportunities it may bring our<br />

members and the company.<br />

On a sad note I would like to take a moment to recognize<br />

Brother Richard Alan Martin from Tumbler Ridge, who<br />

worked at Peace River Coal along with his parents, Edward<br />

and Chris Martin.<br />

Richard Martin was a hard-working member that lost his<br />

life due to an ATV accident. Brother Martin will be sadly<br />

missed and our hearts go out to his family.<br />

To all members: be safe out there when at work, at home,<br />

and even when taking time to engage in fun activities.<br />

Good luck for the season ahead, and we look forward to<br />

seeing see you in the field.


Skilled operators are<br />

still needed across<br />

North America<br />

Frank Carr,<br />

Member Representative<br />

Hello Brothers and Sisters, I hope you had a great summer.<br />

I’m happy to report that, thanks to help from the Bargaining<br />

and Steering committees, we have ratified a new three year<br />

Provincial Pile Driving Industry Agreement, with increases to<br />

our members’ rates of pay, pension, benefits and premiums.<br />

The agreement includes the Construction Industry of B.C.<br />

Substance Abuse Testing and Treatment Program Policy,<br />

developed by the sub committee which<br />

Local 115 sat on. This policy is available<br />

at www.clra-bc.com.<br />

Within this industry we have certified<br />

Geopac, Hayward Baker, HB Wick<br />

Drains, and AGI Foundation Contractors as OE employers.<br />

Congratulations to the Brothers that supported the organizing<br />

campaigns; it wouldn’t have happened without you. New<br />

collective agreements have been mailed out, and once signed<br />

by and returned by employers, we will distribute your copies.<br />

In August we had the great honour of hosting the 55th<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Canadian Conference in Nanaimo at our hotel, the<br />

Coast Bastion Hotel. Business Managers, Members Representatives,<br />

International Staff and delegates from across Canada<br />

and the United States attended, including General President<br />

James Callahan and General Secretary Brian Hickey.<br />

During the Hoisting and Portable caucus of the conference,<br />

we received construction reports from across the country.<br />

Most reports discussed the fact that skilled operators and<br />

mechanics continue to be in short supply. There are many<br />

mega projects, either ongoing or scheduled to start, that will<br />

need these skills. Crane Operators and Heavy Duty Technicians<br />

in particular continue to be in high demand. I’ve said it<br />

before; what excellent opportunities for the next generation of<br />

operators, or anyone that is interested in the profession, to<br />

start a meaningful career in the construction industries!<br />

Currently, the local union is involved with the industry and<br />

the B.C. Association for Crane Safety to develop a pilot<br />

program to bring Washington State crane operators into B.C.<br />

to address our current shortages. The next step in the process<br />

will be for WorkSafeBC to review the program and ultimately<br />

endorse it. Certified U.S. crane operators can then be accepted<br />

by the BCACS, and they will help fill the gap.<br />

Recently, the Pacific Gateway Skills Table brought together<br />

“What excellent career<br />

opportunities for the next<br />

generation of operators”<br />

District One<br />

committee members from labour, industry and government<br />

organizations to work on a pilot project called the Accelerated<br />

Apprenticeship Learning for Mobile Crane Operators in B.C.<br />

The project aims to investigate, develop and pilot accelerated<br />

learning for apprenticeships in B.C., and hopefully to reduce<br />

completion times while retaining performance and safety<br />

standards. This further highlights the dire need for crane<br />

operators in the province. The committee recently held its<br />

very first meeting, so I will have more to report in the coming<br />

months on how they progress with this initiative.<br />

As you all know, health and safety concerns are paramount<br />

for <strong>IUOE</strong> members and the union. We work in safety-sensitive<br />

environments and most, if not all employers have safety<br />

programs which usually include Lock-Out procedures. It’s an<br />

important topic and safety procedure, and I would think that<br />

everyone follows their instructions to the tee, but we sometimes<br />

think that the task at hand might be done a bit quicker<br />

by cutting corners and not Locking Out.<br />

Some of these infractions have been brought<br />

to our attention and I’ve heard a number of<br />

different reasons to justify why it wasn’t done.<br />

Brothers and Sisters; the procedures are in<br />

place to make sure we all go home safe and sound at the end<br />

of every day. Please take the time to Lock Out; we don’t want<br />

any worker wishing they had.<br />

The Brothers at Great West Equipment (Marcels) recently<br />

organized and changed their collective agreement from a<br />

voluntary recognized agreement to certification—congratulations<br />

to Brother Al Larson and the crew, great job!<br />

Congratulations are also due to Brother Bryan Railton on<br />

his employment with the local union as an organizer. I worked<br />

with Bryan during the Pile Driving negotiations, and he did<br />

an excellent job of representing the interests of the membership<br />

and providing input and insight.<br />

Crane operators continue to be highly sought after in B.C., with<br />

programs and initiatives set up to accelerate training and obtain<br />

skilled workers from the U.S. Photo courtesy Cameron Miller<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 11


District One<br />

“Right to Work” comes<br />

to Canada, while TFW<br />

changes still need<br />

improvement<br />

Don Swerdan,<br />

Member Representative<br />

There has been a lot of activity and negotiations that have<br />

occurred during over the past few months, and as I did not<br />

catch up with you in the last issue, let me report on some of<br />

what has been going on.<br />

First, the <strong>IUOE</strong>. General Convention took place during the<br />

last week of April. This was my first General Convention and<br />

was pleased to meet with a number of Business Agents from<br />

across Canada and the U.S. I was<br />

astounded to hear how similar the<br />

issues are between our countries.<br />

It was overwhelming to hear of the<br />

current “Right to Work” legislation<br />

that certain U.S. states are adopting,<br />

and how there are concerted efforts being made by certain<br />

parties to deliberately weaken and destabilize the Unions.<br />

This mentality and legislation is making its way into<br />

Canada, with Ontario being the first—and I’m sure not the<br />

last—out of the gate as a “guinea pig” for this legislation.<br />

It is clear that the current Federal government is supporting<br />

the ‘Right to Work’ approach when you consider, for<br />

example, Bill 377. This Bill seeks, in the apparent guise of<br />

transparency, to have all Unions submit to a regime of regulatory<br />

requirements at considerable expense to our membership<br />

that NO other “organization” is required to abide by.<br />

As you’ve seen with the recent scandals in the Senate, even<br />

the Government (who allegedly wrote the legislation for Bill<br />

“This ‘Right to Work’ mentality<br />

and legislation is making its way<br />

into Canada, with Ontario being<br />

the first guinea pig”<br />

377) is not required to submit to the scrutiny they seek to<br />

impose on Unions.<br />

This latest attempt at Union busting cannot be swept under<br />

the carpet by our “elected” officials. These are issues that will<br />

affect every working Canadian, as well as many others.<br />

Temporary Foreign Workers and the rules by which they<br />

can be placed in Canada, their wages, and the enforcement on<br />

how employers treat these workers are just the “thin edge of<br />

the wedge” if both the Provincial and Federal government<br />

have their way.<br />

Yes, Local 115, through considerable efforts by Brothers<br />

Brian Cochrane and Wayne Mills and staff, have elevated the<br />

issue of the Federal Governments L.M.O.’s (Labour Market<br />

Opinions), H.R.D.C.’s policies on the review of the opinions,<br />

and the treatment of Temporary Foreign Workers to the<br />

national stage.<br />

But, while some changes were made as a direct result of this<br />

Local’s effort, the battle is far from over.<br />

There are many cases where the<br />

employment of Temporary Foreign<br />

Workers is necessary, but they should<br />

not be employed before a call for hiring<br />

goes out to local communities, first<br />

nations, across the provinces and country, and then the U.S.<br />

The newest changes to the TFW program seek to ensure<br />

this happens, and let’s hope it does, as this would be the most<br />

effective change in terms of ensuring Canadian jobs stay go to<br />

Canadians. This Local will continue to press for training to be<br />

provided to Canadians before going offshore for workers.<br />

On the recent bargaining front, I assisted Brother Stewart<br />

Miller and am pleased to report that Local 115 was successful<br />

in ratifying a new and first Collective Agreement with Fraser<br />

Richmond Soil and Fibre’s Richmond and North Vancouver<br />

locations.<br />

Congratulations Stewart and, on behalf of all Local 115<br />

members, let me welcome all these new members!.<br />

These are not work boots.<br />

To some, your used work gear may represent their family’s next meal. They are an education they<br />

12 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

can obtain and provide their children. They are an opportunity they otherwise may never have. So<br />

don’t throw them away. <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 is collecting used construction and work gear for the<br />

Burnaby Association for the South East Side, and distributing them to people in need<br />

who want to get to work, but need your help to get them safely equipped to do so.<br />

Contact Brother Don Swerdan on 604-473-5208 to see how you can give your<br />

old gear new life, and change those of less fortunate fellow workers.


Operators are in demand, and<br />

certification will keep it that way.<br />

Rob Duff,<br />

Organizing Representative<br />

Winter in Kitimat is approaching fast, and snow removal<br />

may become a focus on the KMP site this year, depending on<br />

how Mother Nature decides to treat us this year.<br />

With the bulk of earthworks near completion at the Kitimat<br />

Modernization Project, the project now moves into a different<br />

phase for our membership. The main demand for us will be<br />

for crane operators, servicemen, telehandlers, gantry crane<br />

operators and heavy duty mechanics.<br />

The first phase of the Kemano site will be completed by<br />

October 31, <strong>2013</strong>, with the site and crew moved out by then as<br />

well. Word on the ground is that R.T.A. will be making an<br />

announcement soon regarding who will be the appointed<br />

contractor for the second phase, as well as its start date.<br />

As we are approaching our slower time of the year, this is a<br />

good time to take advantage of the training that is available to<br />

our membership. I know I have beat this drum over and over,<br />

but we cannot stress this enough: “HEO certification”. We, as<br />

the OE membership, need to ensure we are leaders in our<br />

chosen industry, and HEO certification is very important to<br />

achieving this goal on many levels.<br />

First, the certification creates the opportunity for us to give<br />

the operation of heavy equipment the respect that it deserves<br />

as the complex and demanding trade that it is.<br />

Work is out there if<br />

your skills and details<br />

are up to date.<br />

Jim Flynn,<br />

Dispatcher<br />

Hello all.<br />

The work picture has been fairly steady throughout the<br />

summer, and since my last report. There is still a shortage of<br />

crane operators who are willing to work up north on the KMP<br />

project, which is always hiring.<br />

The main reason for the shortage is turnaround; it is hard<br />

to convince our members, let alone their familes, that it’s a<br />

good idea that Mom or Dad should pack a bag and be away<br />

from home for 41 days, and then have seven days at home,<br />

Union Organizing<br />

Second, to strengthen our control over our jurisdiction—as<br />

you are well aware, a number of trades have drifted into our<br />

jurisdiction; with our membership HEO certified, it puts us in<br />

a far stronger position to defend our jurisdiction against those<br />

that challenge our abilities and authority.<br />

Last but not least, there is the issue of mandatory HEO<br />

certification. This has not happened yet, but times (and training<br />

regulations) are changing, and this may be the case one<br />

day soon. If and when this happens, we as the OE membership<br />

must lead the way in our own industry.<br />

On the organizing side I have been working on campaigns<br />

that in the very near future I hopefully will be able to give you<br />

more details on. I am keeping my fingers crossed for some<br />

really good news soon. One organizing success I can mention<br />

is new members at Fraser Richmond Soil and Fiber now set to<br />

enjoy their first collective agreement. Thanks to Brothers<br />

Stewart Miller and Don Swerdan for their efforts at the<br />

bargaining table—great job guys.<br />

A special thanks to members that have taken on the added<br />

reasonability of being the Job Stewards. This can be a difficult<br />

task at times, but rest assured it does not go unnoticed.<br />

Mark Bryant - York Construction<br />

Arnie Carrita - Baker Concrete<br />

Kevin Chabot - IDL<br />

Milton Christensen - VK Mason<br />

Jason Ellingson - Comstock<br />

Brian Moonie - Bantrel<br />

Craig Norman - I.D.L<br />

Dispatcher’s Report<br />

two of which are taken up by traveling.<br />

I would like to ask any members who are booked in to<br />

always keep dispatch updated not only on your skills, but your<br />

availability and contact details as well. It is difficult for us to<br />

fill orders and keep our records up to date when all we can do<br />

is leave messages for you. If you take a travel card or take a job<br />

that you want to stay at, let us know, so that we can take you<br />

off our availability list and open opportunities to other<br />

members.<br />

That being said, if you find yourself not working, always<br />

consider taking the time to upgrade your skills through our<br />

training programs. Not only does this make you more valuable<br />

to the skilled labour market, it also helps make our<br />

contractors more competitive, who can then obtain more<br />

work for our membership.<br />

In closing, please be safe as we head into the dangerous wet<br />

seasons. If you find yourself paired with a trainee on your job,<br />

help him or her out to stay safe and learn the ropes—they are<br />

the future of our Union.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 13


Feature Article<br />

LNG Workforce Action Plan shows<br />

shortage of skilled workers in B.C.<br />

- Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications<br />

Imagine that the only chance to develop a $100 billion<br />

industry, create over 100,000 new jobs, and collect billions in<br />

taxes to pay down the debt and fund healthcare and education<br />

all depended on just one thing: finding skilled workers.<br />

That’s exactly the situation facing British Columbia today<br />

with the development of Liquefied Natural Gas, according to<br />

a new industry and government report. And failure to act<br />

quickly means this huge opportunity could go to competitors<br />

in other parts of the world, something B.C. workers are not<br />

unfamilar with or happy about.<br />

The enormous potential of LNG is outlined in the “B.C.<br />

Natural Gas Workforce Strategy and Action Plan”—as is the<br />

significant challenge of finding and training enough skilled<br />

workers for a wide variety of jobs needed to succeed.<br />

That’s why <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 Business Manager Brian<br />

Cochrane and other labour leaders and representatives recent-<br />

ly met with B.C. Premier Christy Clark<br />

[see separate story in this issue] to<br />

discuss how unions and organized labour<br />

providers can participate in dramatically<br />

increasing skilled trades training in just a<br />

few short years, to meet the demand that<br />

is expected to accompany the government’s<br />

LNG development plans.<br />

Fortunately, the <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 is well placed to help<br />

provide some of those skilled workers, as well as train and<br />

upgrade other workers to fill some of the estimated 62,000<br />

jobs in construction of LNG plants and ongoing operations in<br />

northern B.C. Aggressive recruitment and training plans were<br />

topics of discussion, and Local 115 are already taking preliminary<br />

steps to start creating a preferred, skilled resource pool<br />

to call on when the projects break ground.<br />

To put it mildly, the size and scope of LNG jobs and investment<br />

potential is literally staggering.<br />

“As it stands, northern B.C.’s<br />

labour force will simply not<br />

be able to meet the labour<br />

demand generated by the<br />

natural gas industry”<br />

sector. Increasing the availability of workers enhances the feasibility of LNG in B.C.<br />

The B.C. government’s ‘Natural Gas Workforce Strategy and Action<br />

Plan’ describes the many opportunities, and labour shortage<br />

problems, that LNG projects present.<br />

July <strong>2013</strong> 11 of 32<br />

The northern B.C. projects would require over 62,000 jobs<br />

to be filled during peak construction (expected by 2017)—<br />

just a few short years from now. There would be over 21,000<br />

jobs in direct construction created by building the plants and<br />

associated pipelines, and another 41,000 jobs in industries<br />

supplying goods and services during the construction phase.<br />

Once the LNG projects are fully operational, it is expected<br />

75,000 jobs will be created overall in<br />

running the plants and supplying them.<br />

So what does this mean for <strong>IUOE</strong><br />

Local 115 members, as well as other<br />

workers and unions? Basically, a huge<br />

demand for skilled workers in northern<br />

B.C., including many of the trades represented<br />

by Local 115 in a variety of B.C. workplaces, especially<br />

for those willing to relocate northwards (this is one of the<br />

biggest challenges that the projects must address).<br />

But that demand is far bigger than anything our union, or<br />

indeed all B.C. unions can provide right now – and that’s why<br />

the immediate need is to put in place measures to solve the<br />

massive skills shortage the province faces.<br />

But that problem is not a new one. It’s actually surprising<br />

that labour and Liberal leaders only met a few weeks ago,<br />

when the issue of skilled labour shortages across the province<br />

have been so prevalent and well documented by both sides,<br />

These charts show the various workforce skills that will be required by the LNG projects during construction and operation phases.<br />

14 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong>


not only for future projects, but right now. As the LNG Action<br />

Plan bluntly states:<br />

“Bottom line: As it stands, northern B.C.’s labour force will<br />

simply not be able to meet the labour demand generated by the<br />

growth of the province’s natural gas industry. A plan to address<br />

all the factors impacting labour and skills shortfalls is urgently<br />

required.”<br />

The B.C. Building Trades and Local 115 have pointed out<br />

for years that the provincial government has not done an<br />

adequate job in the past with skills training and apprenticeships.<br />

Finally, it’s not just unions ringing the alarm bell—it’s<br />

the government and their commissioned industry reports<br />

joining the call for more investment into trades occupations.<br />

Simply recognizing the problem is welcome news; the report<br />

carries on to say:<br />

“Many of the workers the natural gas industry will need from<br />

northern B.C. will require skills training and upgrading. Some<br />

capacity exists for expanding the current apprenticeship training<br />

infrastructure in the northern regions. Nevertheless, new<br />

approaches are needed to ensure the ongoing supply of trained<br />

workers.”<br />

Maybe it’s the LNG projects. Maybe it’s was the scare the<br />

NDP recently gave Premier Christy Clark during campaigning.<br />

Or maybe it’s the recent shuffle in the Liberal leadership.<br />

Either way, we are seeing significant and positive developments:<br />

Sourcing the invitation from All Labour by Premier Supply Clark Pools to meet on an ongoing<br />

basis, while embryonic and with little concrete commitments<br />

As the natural gas labour supply research indicated, workers will need to be sourced from all potential<br />

as yet, is an olive branch both parties may just be able to build<br />

labour supply pools to address labour demand for B.C. natural gas construction and operations. The table<br />

a below mutually illustrates how beneficial each of the actions relationship identified in the B.C. on. Natural Meanwhile, Gas Workforce Strategy changes and Action in<br />

Plan supports the broad worker attraction, retention and workforce development required.<br />

Action<br />

Produce regular, realistic labour<br />

market and career information for<br />

the B.C. natural gas construction<br />

and operations.<br />

Develop labour demand information<br />

on the employment opportunities<br />

associated with the contracted<br />

services (indirect jobs) required to<br />

support natural gas activity.<br />

Produce industrial construction<br />

workforce projections for northern B.C.<br />

to 2025 to provide insights into the level<br />

of competition construction of natural<br />

gas projects may face.<br />

Develop and implement a mechanism<br />

for regular communication between<br />

industry and training organizations<br />

regarding training requirements.<br />

Support the adoption/expansion of<br />

school-to-work mechanisms (e.g.<br />

dual credit programs) across B.C. to<br />

enhance high school graduation rates<br />

and youth participation in natural gas<br />

related employment.<br />

Develop and implement an entry-level<br />

“Working in the Natural Gas Industry”<br />

program to increase participation<br />

of under-represented groups including<br />

Aboriginal Peoples, women and<br />

immigrants into in-demand natural<br />

gas occupations.<br />

Youth<br />

Aboriginal<br />

Peoples<br />

Primary Labour Supply Pool Targeted<br />

Women<br />

Workers<br />

from Other<br />

Industries<br />

New<br />

Canadians<br />

Workers<br />

from<br />

Outside the<br />

Region<br />

Workers will need to be sourced from all potential labour pools to<br />

address demand.<br />

Temporary<br />

Workers<br />

• • • • • • •<br />

• • • • • • •<br />

• • • • • • •<br />

• • • • •<br />

• • •<br />

• • • •<br />

July <strong>2013</strong> 25 of 32<br />

Appendix 2: Key B.C. Natural Gas Industry Occupations<br />

Feature Article<br />

1<br />

Seismic Operators (pre-drilling);<br />

Drilling Rig Technicians/Workers,<br />

Directional Drillers, Measurement<br />

While Drilling (MWD) Technicians,<br />

Heavy Equipment Operators, Truck<br />

Drivers, Heavy Duty Mechanics,<br />

Welders, Geoscientists, Field<br />

Engineers, Crane Operators, EH&S<br />

Specialists*, Well Service Operators<br />

Key BC Natural Gas Industry Occupations<br />

DRILLING & COMPLETIONS STIMULATION & PRODUCTION PROCESSING TRANSMISSION<br />

LNG Plant/Control Room/<br />

Marine Operators, Industrial<br />

Electricians, Instrumentation<br />

Technicians, Millwrights,<br />

Electrical/Instrumentation/<br />

Mechanical Engineers, Chemists,<br />

Laboratory Technicians<br />

2<br />

Service Rig Workers,<br />

Well Service Operators,<br />

Fracturing Operators,<br />

Truck Drivers, Well Testers,<br />

Field Production Operators,<br />

Field Engineers<br />

Employment outside<br />

of Natural Gas industry<br />

3<br />

Gas Plant/Control<br />

Room Operators, Power<br />

Engineers, Millwrights,<br />

Instrumentation<br />

Technicians, Industrial<br />

Electricians, Quality<br />

Assurance, Mechanical/<br />

Chemical Engineers<br />

Employment outside<br />

of Natural Gas industry<br />

4<br />

Pipeline/Compressor Station<br />

Operators, Millwrights,<br />

Instrumentation Technicians,<br />

Electrical/Instrumentation/<br />

Mechanical/Corrosion<br />

Engineers, Quality Assurance,<br />

Heavy Equipment Operators<br />

DELIVERY to MARKETS<br />

Employment outside<br />

of Natural Gas industry<br />

* These specialists are needed in every phase.<br />

© Ingenia Consulting 2012<br />

From drillers to truck drivers to electricians to operators, the LNG<br />

projects will attract workers from myriad occupations—and unions.<br />

the leadership of the Industry Training Authority (the government<br />

organization responsible for skilled trades training and<br />

apprenticeships) could promise a change from its historical<br />

inability to recognize and rectify the skilled worker development<br />

problems that we now have to deal with today.<br />

The LNG Action Plan is clear that skilled workers from<br />

other parts of BC will also be needed.<br />

July <strong>2013</strong> 31 of 32<br />

“In terms of attracting migrants from other regions of B.C.,<br />

areas such as the Vancouver Island/Coast, Thompson/Okanagan<br />

and Kootenay all have an industrial and occupational base<br />

that is transferable to the natural gas and heavy industrial<br />

construction industry.”<br />

While the report doesn’t go so far as to discuss in detail the<br />

possibility of bringing in workers from outside of Canada, it<br />

does contemplate the subject—an inevitable challenge which<br />

remains for both labour and government.<br />

As we learned with the Temporary Foreign Workers being<br />

appointed at the HD Mining coal mine project in Tumbler<br />

Ridge, and with close public and media attention on the TFW<br />

program and its promises and changes, this is an area where<br />

decision-makers will have to tread lightly. That’s why Local<br />

115 and the labour movement will be vigilant in protecting<br />

the rights of B.C. and Canadian workers to be first in line for<br />

LNG jobs. But even in this regard Premier Clark has agreed,<br />

saying that sourcing skills from outside Canada, or even B.C.,<br />

are “last resort” options.<br />

By working cooperatively and developing an equal partner<br />

relationship between industry, governments, and labour, the<br />

LNG sector could provide the biggest single boost in jobs for<br />

our union, and the province, for generations—and that’s<br />

nothing but good news for everyone.<br />

You can download the B.C. Natural Gas Workforce Strategy and<br />

Action Plan, read news updates, and learn how to get involved in<br />

northern B.C. projects by visiting www.iuoe115.com<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 15


District Two<br />

Slow start to the season may be the least of<br />

our concerns for <strong>2013</strong><br />

Curtis Harold and Tim Cullen,<br />

Member Representatives<br />

The work picture on Vancouver Island has had a really slow<br />

start this year—the rain during May and June was not a very<br />

good way to kick off the construction season. Then finally,<br />

along came the sun and we never saw any rain in July. This<br />

seemed to get everyone into gear, and away we went!<br />

Upland Excavating Ltd. has been busy doing some preliminary<br />

work at the John Hart Dam site in Campbell River, as<br />

well as some upgrading to the city’s downtown core. Upland is<br />

also working at both the area’s<br />

mining sites again this year.<br />

Hazelwood Construction Services<br />

Inc. has been very involved in<br />

run-of-the-river projects. At the<br />

time of writing they were finishing<br />

up the interior’s Gold Bridge project,<br />

hard at work on Vancouver Island near Sutton Pass, and also<br />

won the lowest bid on the Toba Inlet project.<br />

Chew Excavating Ltd. is having a very busy season so far in<br />

the Victoria area. One of the larger projects keeping them<br />

busy is the old Producers Pit property in Metchosin.<br />

Advantage Cranes and RKM were very involved with the<br />

first phase of the Cape Scott Wind Farm. This initial phase<br />

consisted of erecting 55 windmills, while the second phase<br />

16 <strong>News</strong> <strong>News</strong> July <strong>2013</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

“<strong>2013</strong> started with the promise of a<br />

NDP Provincial Government but<br />

turned out with not only the Liberals<br />

being voted back in, but we also<br />

have a new union to consider”<br />

started up in September and will see approximately 28 more<br />

wind mills going up.<br />

Once the weather warmed up in July the paving crews<br />

started fixing and upgrading our roads. Some of the notable<br />

projects were Hub City Paving upgrading the Trans Canada<br />

highway south of Ladysmith, while Island Asphalt were kept<br />

busy working on Sooke Rd., the Craigflower Bridge approaches,<br />

and Highway 14 to Port Renfrew.<br />

Our industrial shops have had a<br />

mixed bag of work this summer;<br />

some were very busy while others<br />

reported business as usual, with no<br />

noticeable growth or changes. Hopefully<br />

everyone in the shops will be<br />

busier next year.<br />

There are a few upcoming projects we are hoping to secure<br />

work on. These include phase two of the Cape Scott Wind<br />

Farm, ongoing maintenance on the John Hart Dam, and<br />

construction on the hospitals in Campbell River and Comox.<br />

We are currently in bargaining sessions with United Rentals<br />

Ltd. (Vancouver Island Divisions) and Victoria Materials<br />

Depot, a division of Lehigh. We have accepted proposals from<br />

members for bargaining with our utility companies, Upland,<br />

The Island Asphalt crew working at the approach<br />

to the new Craigflower Bridge in View Royal<br />

(architect’s drawing inset). Brothers Jordan<br />

Ingram, Fred Shippit, Derrick Dash, Jordie<br />

Thorton, Erin Reed, Ken Hawes, Mike<br />

Iannidinardo, Kevin Driscoll stand left to right<br />

behind Sister Becka Jackson.


Hazelwood and Chew. We have also taken proposals for our<br />

paving industry, which consists of Hub City Paving, Haylock<br />

Bros. Paving, and the OK Industries Group of Companies.<br />

These agreements expire in February 2014, and we are doing<br />

our best to get a good head start towards getting our new<br />

agreements settled as soon as we can.<br />

We have an interesting development in Port Hardy right<br />

now with the district cancelling their subcontract with<br />

EPCOR, who were the appointed contractors handling the<br />

district’s water and waste water; this means that the eight<br />

members who were working for EPCOR will be coming back<br />

into our group of members. It will be nice to have the group all<br />

back together again. We are also in bargaining with the Port<br />

Hardy district offices, so this works out well for dealing with<br />

bargaining and successorship issues, all at the same time.<br />

All in all we have had an interesting <strong>2013</strong> so far on Vancouver<br />

Island. It started with us hoping for an NDP Provincial<br />

Government, but turned out that not only are the Liberals<br />

back in charge, but we also have a new Union to consider.<br />

UNIFOR is a new Private Sector Union that was formed by<br />

the joining of CEP. (the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers<br />

Union of Canada) and CAW. (the Canadian Auto<br />

Workers). This makes UNIFOR the biggest industrial union<br />

in the history of the Canadian labour movement, with well<br />

over 300,000 members coast to coast, and $50 million pledged<br />

over five years to further increase membership.<br />

We are concerned that UNIFOR may become another<br />

Union that starts to get more involved with representing<br />

people who work in Local 115’s traditional construction and<br />

industrial sectors.<br />

Add to this the fact that UNIFOR openly admits to adopting<br />

a more militant approach, there are concerns floating<br />

around that they may become supporters of mass protest<br />

District Two<br />

Wind turbines installed near Cape Scott. Phase 1 has been completed,<br />

with the installation of 55 windmills, while Phase 2 has recently<br />

started and will see at another 28 going up.<br />

action rather than negotiations, should their (large) voice not<br />

be heard in political circles. The keynote speaker at UNIFOR’s<br />

launch, activist and open critic of corporate culture Naomi<br />

Klein, is well known for her support of sometimes violent<br />

social uprisings. During her speech, Klein sent the message<br />

out that, thanks to their big membership, the time has come<br />

“to make big bold demands, and take big action. The kind of<br />

action that will shift the public’s imagination, and change our<br />

sense of what’s possible.”<br />

We should never let our guard down against possibilities<br />

such as this, or one day we could all be on the outside looking<br />

in. It is up to every concerned member to pay attention to not<br />

only what the politicians are doing, but be aware of what other<br />

unions are up to as well.<br />

The Brothers and Sisters of this Union make us strong and<br />

need to get even more involved, and if that means simply<br />

going out to your Union meetings, then please do it.<br />

Stay safe.<br />

Chew Excavating at Royal Bay with<br />

Brothers Clint Hogarth, Rob<br />

Rossbourough, and Ian Johnson. Chew<br />

are also busy at the Metchosin<br />

Producing Pit (inset), converting the<br />

closed gravel pit for residential use.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 17


District Three<br />

Paving work still<br />

strong while shops<br />

are overflowing<br />

Brad Gerow,<br />

Member Representative<br />

Brothers and Sisters:<br />

Summer has officially ended, and although we had a slow<br />

start to the construction season, things are busy even at this<br />

point for District 3.<br />

Brentwood has kept themselves busy so far this year at the<br />

Telus site in Kamloops doing the earth works and pipe work<br />

for that project. They have also been at work performing<br />

derailments with the railway.<br />

672462 B.C. Ltd. won the two<br />

contracts for the Highway 1 project<br />

east of Kamloops. These are actually<br />

two separate projects—the smaller of the two is well underway,<br />

while the larger project had a later start date, but both are<br />

is moving along at a great pace as we speak.<br />

Dawson’s paving crew has been busy with projects throughout<br />

the area, including Chase, Salmon Arm, and a section of<br />

the Okanagan Connector. In between these they have also<br />

been finishing smaller projects in and around the town.<br />

B.A. Dawson Blacktop has been working all season in<br />

Salmon Arm at the new Walmart site, building the road into<br />

the massive retail site. Meanwhile they are also building<br />

changes to Highway 1 to allow for turn lanes.<br />

18 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

“Many shops are busting at the<br />

seams and don’t have enough<br />

room for people and equipment”<br />

Vernon Paving unfortunately has had a slow season this<br />

year thanks mainly to a lot of rain in the area during the first<br />

few months. During the summer we were able to complete<br />

our first round of bargaining with this group since we raided<br />

them from CLAC. So far we have brought them onto our<br />

Benefits Plan, as well as made changes to their pension.<br />

Westlake Paving has had a busier year and we are going<br />

into our bargaining sessions at the end of September. Currently,<br />

they are paving Harvey Avenue in Kelowna (Highway 97).<br />

Emil Anderson Construction has also had a slower season<br />

than normal in our area, but has kept a good number of<br />

members working nonetheless. They completed a paving job<br />

in Greenwood and have picked up work on Kelowna’s new<br />

rapid bus line, including a number of bus stops along the<br />

route.<br />

CGL seems to be working steadily in many areas, including<br />

Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Kamloops and Vernon, mainly doing<br />

underground utility work.<br />

Shops in the area are very busy with<br />

mining in the area keeping them going<br />

strong. The mines are providing a<br />

steady stream of parts, equipment, and repairs jobs to keep<br />

members busy. In fact, many of these shops are busting at the<br />

seams and don’t have enough room in their shops or yards for<br />

the people and equipment coming in; some have even considered<br />

moving to larger facilities, or have already done so, to<br />

allow for the large influx of work.<br />

In closing, I would like to remind everyone of the importance<br />

of organizing to help the Union grow. If you or someone<br />

you know is working non-union, drop us a line to let us know<br />

where. Talk with the people you are working with about the<br />

benefits of working under a Collective Agreement with the<br />

Brothers Aaron Ulvid and Brad<br />

Wallace, Brock Owens, Darren<br />

Arrance, Chad Schindler, and<br />

Mike Tallmadge of Westlake’s<br />

Paving crew with their equipment<br />

at work on Highway 97.


The District 4 work picture has changed substantially this<br />

year from last. For starters, we are still extremely busy in the<br />

Terrace Kitimat Prince Rupert area, and we are expecting the<br />

spring to be a whirlwind of activity as we are waiting for the<br />

green light to be given on several projects within the district.<br />

The Operating Engineers Training Association plays a<br />

significant role in the growth of our organization. This was<br />

highlighted at the Union Executive Board meeting in September,<br />

where a motion was passed for the Local Union and<br />

Training Association to develop a strategic plan to maximize<br />

work opportunities for the Operating Engineers in northern<br />

British Columbia.<br />

Already preliminary progress has been made, and we have<br />

some exciting plans to ensure we capitalise on what is a oncein-a-generation<br />

opportunity to grow our membership and<br />

create job opportunities for so many people.<br />

Creating a strategic plan to provide the training and<br />

manpower needed in the northern parts of the province will<br />

ensure the Local is ready to provide ready, willing and able<br />

members to the projects and our signatory contractors.<br />

In preparation for the pipelines, LNG plants, and mining<br />

developments, it is important to ensure that all members’<br />

19 <strong>News</strong> July <strong>2013</strong><br />

Training programs up north is the Union and<br />

members’ ticket to success<br />

Herb Conat and Wayne Kemp,<br />

Member Representatives<br />

District Four<br />

tickets are current. This includes your WHMIS, First Aid,<br />

Hearing Test, Telehandler, and CSTS qualifications.<br />

The paving industry within the district has been busy, and<br />

with winter fast approaching the companies are working diligently<br />

to complete their contracts. Columbia Bitulithic and<br />

the paving crew have had a full season with city contract work<br />

and have completed the paving on the Boundary Road<br />

Connector for Western Industrial Contractors.<br />

Industrial shops throughout the district have been increasing<br />

their market share in the mining sector. There has been a<br />

turnaround in the forest industry in the Prince George and<br />

Mackenzie area, providing some extra volume for the shops.<br />

Almost all the shops are looking for any type of mechanic who<br />

has a Red Seal Ticket, so anyone considering completing their<br />

qualification should know there is an excellent career path<br />

here.<br />

In closing, we would like to welcome all new Local 115<br />

members, and to also thank the stewards and safety representatives<br />

for their dedication and countless hours they spend<br />

assisting the membership as we work together for a safer and<br />

better work place.<br />

Work safe<br />

District 3 Member Representative Brad Gerow is joined by the team from Entrec at the Highland Valley Copper Mill Modernization in Logan<br />

Lake. He is joined by Brothers Lee Stein, Fred Becvar, Geoff Wheatley, Darren Bradburry, Perry Malcolm, Derek Graham, Dwayne Smith, Will<br />

Terpstra, District 1 Member Representative Frank Carr, Jason Krickan, Chad Jorgensen, Pete Buitendyk.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 19


Feature Article<br />

B.C. Premier meets with labour<br />

leaders on LNG workforce<br />

LNG projects prove that government’s cooperation with<br />

labour unions is fundamental to success.<br />

On September 9th, <strong>2013</strong>, B.C. Premier Christy Clark held a<br />

round table meeting with prominent local labour leaders<br />

including <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 to discuss strengthening relations<br />

between her Liberal government and the province’s unions.<br />

The meeting comes at a time when the Premier realizes<br />

that cooperation and input from the unionized workforce is<br />

crucial. Top of the agenda was her cabinet’s commitment to<br />

LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) projects and its recentlypublished<br />

Workforce Strategy and Action Plan, which<br />

proposes the challenges and opportunities associated with<br />

assembling a suitable LNG workforce.<br />

The Plan has adopted the mandate to<br />

“Build the capacity within industry,<br />

labour supply partners and communities<br />

to address current and future natural gas construction and<br />

operations workforce requirements.”<br />

Some 75,000 permanent and 60,000 temporary jobs are<br />

reportedly up for grabs if the long-term LNG projects are realized<br />

over at least the next five years. However, even at this<br />

preliminary stage, the Plan recognizes the shallow pool of<br />

skilled labour in B.C., stating “...northern B.C.’s labour force<br />

will simply not be able to meet the labour demand generated<br />

by the growth of the province’s natural gas industry.”<br />

Premier Clark’s meeting may be a critical first step in<br />

addressing the realities that labour unions face every day;<br />

ensuring an adequate, skilled workforce is available where and<br />

when needed - something LNG investors also look for.<br />

“We need to put aside our differences and get to work,<br />

20 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

“People don’t care about<br />

politics. They care about jobs”<br />

Unions partnering with the Liberal government to address labour<br />

issues is something all agree to as critical for the province.<br />

starting the dialogue where we can work cooperatively, solving<br />

the problem” said the Premier. “People don’t care about politics.<br />

They care about jobs.”<br />

B.C. Federation of Labour President<br />

Jim Sinclair agreed that the meeting was<br />

an important step in improved relations,<br />

saying “We’re committed to continuing<br />

dialogue into finding real answers that put British Columbians<br />

to work at decent paying jobs with the skills they need.”<br />

Clark also proposed a committee of employers, labour and<br />

government representatives to focus on making sure British<br />

Columbians are “first in line” for LNG jobs, calling offshore<br />

sourcing an “absolute last resort.” A draft terms of reference<br />

document has been proposed for the committee, and may be<br />

finalized by September 30.<br />

“We will continue to work with the Premier and government<br />

in taking the next steps toward ensuring B.C. and Canadian<br />

workers are looked after and prosper along with the province”<br />

says Local 115 Business Manager Brian Cochrane. “We will<br />

work in partnership with any organization or government<br />

which demonstrates a genuine commitment to these goals.”<br />

B.C. Premier Christy Clark<br />

On September 9th B.C. Premier Christy Clark<br />

met with prominent labour leaders, including<br />

Local 115’s Business Manager Brian Cochrane.<br />

The meeting discussed potential agreements<br />

between her Liberal government and the<br />

unions to meet the labour demands of the<br />

proposed LNG projects in Northern B.C.<br />

To stay updated on this story, visit the news<br />

section of www.iuoe115.com


Megaprojects start to<br />

gather steam<br />

Mike Spiruda,<br />

Member Representative<br />

The Federal and Provincial regulatory authorities have<br />

stated that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the<br />

Site C dam on the Peace River is satisfactory for further review.<br />

Subsequently, in early August the provincial government<br />

went ahead and selected three individuals and appointed<br />

them to the Joint Review Panel.<br />

Once the EIS is approved by the<br />

panel, one last round of public hearings<br />

will be heard, and then the panel<br />

will ultimately decide the fate of the<br />

proposed 900 megawatt, $8 Billion<br />

project in 2014.<br />

Of course, we will keep a close eye on the outcomes as the<br />

decision could have a profound impact on our members in<br />

terms of work opportunities and boost our engagement with<br />

the various companies and contractors that will be involved in<br />

Site C’s construction.<br />

Shell Canada meanwhile has commissioned their state-ofthe-art<br />

‘Saturn 1’ gas processing plant, located at the Montney<br />

shale gas play. This plant is capable of producing 200 million<br />

cubic feet of gas per day, which is approximately 6 per cent of<br />

British Columbia’s current overall natural gas production.<br />

This particular project employed many members of LaPrairie<br />

Crane over a two year period, and hopefully should sustain<br />

further work for many years to come.<br />

“It takes upwards of 300 gas wells<br />

to supply their Saturn 1 plant and<br />

100 more wells are planned for<br />

drilling this year alone.”<br />

District Five<br />

As Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports inch closer to<br />

reality, Shell plans to add two more plants of the same capacity<br />

within the next ten years. It takes upwards of 300 gas wells to<br />

supply their Saturn 1 plant and 100 more wells are planned for<br />

drilling this year alone. Presently, the gas will be shipped east<br />

and eventually to their Kitimat LNG project.<br />

Trans Canada Pipeline’s subsidiary Nova Gas Transmission<br />

(NGT) is now planning to build the North Montney Mainline<br />

section in the northeast.<br />

This will be the first construction phase of a 48” gas pipeline<br />

to be laid in our province which will run from the<br />

Groundbirch Mainline (Saturn Section), running 35 km<br />

southwest of Fort St. John to the Buckinghorse River area,<br />

reaching a total length of 305 km.<br />

An application will be submitted to the National Energy<br />

Board in the fourth quarter of this<br />

year and, pending regulatory approval,<br />

construction of this $1.5 billion<br />

segment will begin construction<br />

during the summer of 2015.<br />

With all these massive LNG infrastructure<br />

and pipeline projects planned to bstart soon, it was<br />

an impressive day in September to see Local 115 Business<br />

Manager Brian Cochrane and the Building Trades invited by<br />

Christy Clark and her government to discuss how to jointly<br />

develop a jobs and training strategy plan for the anticipated<br />

work on the horizon.<br />

This is an enormous step forward in equipping British<br />

Columbians with the necessary skills required to meet the<br />

growing demand of tradespeople in our province, while at the<br />

same time leaving the temporary foreign worker option on<br />

the back burner (where they should be).<br />

It creates an inspiring state of affairs for all British Columbians,<br />

Canadians, government, and investors alike.<br />

Work Safe!<br />

An artist’s impression of how<br />

BC Hydro’s Site C dam will look<br />

once completed, which could<br />

take up to 10 years.<br />

The dam is estimated to cost at<br />

least $7.9 billion to build and<br />

will generate around 1<br />

gigawatt of power - enough<br />

for 450,000 homes.<br />

B.C.’s Deputy Minister and<br />

Minister of Energy and Mines<br />

Richard Coleman says that the<br />

project will generate 33,000<br />

jobs and will contribute $3.2<br />

billion towards B.C.’s GDP.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 21


District Six<br />

As work slows, we<br />

should count our<br />

successes and plan<br />

ahead<br />

Brian Lefebvre,<br />

Member Representative<br />

<strong>Fall</strong> has crept up on us, and winter is just around the corner.<br />

As you are reading this, we are in the throes of electing a<br />

Bargaining Committee at Line Creek to represent the membership<br />

when we get to the bargaining table with Teck.<br />

This upcoming round of bargaining<br />

will be no easy task, but with your<br />

support, the committee will do our best<br />

to obtain the changes to the agreements<br />

that the membership deserves and trusts<br />

us to accomplish on their behalf. It’s<br />

great when we are able to deliver an improved workplace and<br />

way of life for any member, at any site.<br />

On the construction side of things, work is starting to wind<br />

down slowly. With the persistent rain creating a late start for<br />

most in the construction season, this year hasn’t been the best<br />

for employment opportunities for our membership, but it<br />

definitely has not been the worst. Not only that, we may see a<br />

few more weeks of dry weather persist, allowing the paving<br />

crews to keep at it.<br />

In fact, at times this summer we have been unable to fill<br />

orders and have had to rely on other Dispatch Halls in our<br />

Local to assist us with workers.<br />

22 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

“Certified workers make for a<br />

safer, more productive work<br />

environment and more<br />

competitive members.”<br />

The Waneta Expansion is rolling along with the majority of<br />

our work on the project still being with the cranes. There have<br />

been no major issues from our tradespeople on the job, as we<br />

(Rob Foskett and myself) have been able to get any membership<br />

issues ironed out in a timely and well-organized manner.<br />

As the season slows, it is a good time for equipment operators<br />

to consider working toward their Heavy Equipment<br />

Operator (HEO) Certification.<br />

Although it is not mandatory, it is a credential that will help<br />

you get ahead of the rest , whether or not HEO certification<br />

becomes mandatory. Let’s face it, certifications will be the<br />

standard in the industry in one way or another.<br />

This is a good thing that should be embraced and not<br />

avoided; certified workers make for a safer, more productive<br />

work environment and more competitive<br />

members. Add to this our Training<br />

Association’s excellent courses, and<br />

every Local 115 equipment operator has<br />

no reason not to look into upgrading<br />

their skills.<br />

This past August I was fortunate to attend the 55th Canadian<br />

Conference in Nanaimo, B.C.; what a top-notch<br />

Conference, with plenty of information shared from the other<br />

Operating Engineers Locals across Canada.<br />

As one of the three host Locals, I was very proud of our<br />

organization’s efforts in putting this conference together.<br />

Sister Lynda Arland and Sister Sarita Stad went above and<br />

beyond what has been done before at any of our conferences<br />

with regards to logistics and organizing the event to be a<br />

success. It was flawless, the delegates appreciated their efforts,<br />

and best of all, they weren’t shy in telling us so.<br />

Work safe and be safe<br />

Member Reps Brian Lefebvre and Brad<br />

Gerow with Minister of Transportation<br />

Todd Stone kicking off the Highway 1<br />

Monte Creek expansion project with<br />

Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy<br />

McLeod also ceremoniously breaking<br />

ground.


Bargaining becomes<br />

a priority as the<br />

season changes<br />

Rob Foskett,<br />

Member Representative<br />

It has been a fairly good summer out here in the Kootenays,<br />

with the coal prices leveling off and the mines staying on an<br />

even keel. Teck is predicting much of the same for next year’s<br />

budgets, so the steady work provided to our shops in the<br />

district is projected to remain about the same.<br />

On the construction front, the Waneta Dam Expansion<br />

project is a little over half way completed, and still running<br />

smoothly. As with any project of this size, there are always a<br />

few hiccups to deal with, but smooth nonetheless.<br />

On the bargaining front, the Village of New Denver is set to<br />

start their discussions in October, while we’re also in the final<br />

stages of a new Columbia River Reload shifts and schedule<br />

letter of understanding, which looks set to be rolled out in<br />

October.<br />

As the summer winds down and the cooler weather creeps<br />

up on us, and the leaves begin to change colour and drop off<br />

the trees, it signals the end of another busy season of road<br />

construction in District 6. Many crews are starting to wind<br />

down as their contracts are coming to completion.<br />

You still see the odd rogue camper or fifth wheel flying<br />

down the highway trying to get work done during the last of<br />

the warm weather before the fall transition takes over.<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115’s booth at Kamloops’ <strong>2013</strong> Labour Day picnic.<br />

District Six<br />

Speaking of transitions, it has taken the better part of this<br />

year to make some headway with SMS Equipment and the<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> in our quest for a harmonious relationship through<br />

Union/Management meetings.<br />

Union/management language came into the Collective<br />

Agreement in the last round of bargaining, and some participants<br />

on the company’s team have since made way for new<br />

blood, and instead of immediately launching into a fight for<br />

everything on the table, we can now discuss issues before they<br />

come to a head. Cooler heads will always prevail.<br />

In closing, congratulations to both Sparwood Secondary<br />

graduate Steven Bewski, and Fernie Secondary graduate<br />

Kaylee Kormilo for being recipients of an <strong>IUOE</strong> Scholarship<br />

award of $500 each.<br />

Lastly, I would like to thank the District 6 membership for<br />

electing me to attend the 18th annual <strong>IUOE</strong> Canadian Conference.<br />

This year’s conference was proudly hosted by B.C. in<br />

Nanaimo this past August, and I found it to be an excellent<br />

event which I hope to attend again.<br />

Work safe.<br />

Graduates Kaylee Kormilo from Fernie Secondary, and Steven Bewski<br />

from Sparwood Secondary receive their <strong>IUOE</strong> Scholarship awards.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 23


Benefits Plan<br />

Know your retirement<br />

options and plan<br />

ahead<br />

Shawn Hatch,<br />

Administrator<br />

Choosing between pension options can be a difficult task,<br />

but is one of the most important decisions you will make as<br />

you enter retirement.<br />

Before making your choice, you must first take into consideration<br />

your particular circumstances, and then understand<br />

the options available to you.<br />

Do you have a Spouse?<br />

In this Plan, “Spouse” means:<br />

(a) a person who, at the relevant date, was married to the<br />

Member and who, if living separate and apart from the Member<br />

at the relevant date, did not live separate and apart from the<br />

Member for longer than the 2 year period immediately preceding<br />

the relevant date, or<br />

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply, a person who was living<br />

and cohabitating with the Member in a marriage-like relationship,<br />

including a marriage-like relationship between persons of<br />

the same gender, and had been living and cohabiting in that<br />

relationship for a period of at least 2 years immediately preceding<br />

the relevant date.<br />

By law, if you have a Spouse, you must choose an option<br />

that provides your Spouse with at least 60 per cent of your<br />

New <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115<br />

merchandise in stock!<br />

New style golf shirts,<br />

pullovers, jackets, caps,<br />

winter wear and more<br />

Show your Local 115 pride!<br />

Online store now open<br />

Visit www.iuoe115.com/store<br />

24 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

pension to continue after your death. Your Spouse can sign a<br />

waiver giving up his or her right to this.<br />

If your Spouse determines that waiving his/her right to a<br />

minimum amount of survivor pension is the right decision,<br />

then you would be permitted to choose a pension with a lesser<br />

amount of pension for your Spouse or no pension at all for<br />

your Spouse after your death.<br />

The forms of pension that are available under your Plan<br />

(referred to as ‘optional’ forms of pension) include three<br />

options called ‘Joint’ and ‘Survivor’ options. The Joint and<br />

Survivor options, which would all provide a continuing<br />

pension to your Spouse after your death, available under your<br />

plan are:<br />

Joint and Survivor 100% - your Spouse receives 100% of<br />

your pension for her/his lifetime after your death (Option 5)<br />

Joint and Survivor 2/3 – your Spouse receives 2/3 of your<br />

pension for her/his lifetime after your death (Option 6)<br />

Joint and Survivor 1/2 – your Spouse receives 1/2 of your<br />

pension for her/his lifetime after your death (Option 7)<br />

Please note that a Joint and Survivor 1/2 does not satisfy the<br />

law referred to above and would require the spousal waiver, also<br />

referred to above.<br />

As a result of electing an option providing a greater amount<br />

of coverage for your Spouse after your death, the monthly<br />

amount of your pension is reduced accordingly.<br />

For example, providing the same monthly amount to your<br />

Spouse after your death will result in a lower monthly amount<br />

than if you provided no coverage for your Spouse after your<br />

death. However, electing a Joint and Survivor option and<br />

providing for a lifetime pension to your Spouse will help with<br />

financial commitments after your death.


BC LIONS VS. CALgArY STAMPEDErS<br />

Things to consider when weighing these options are:<br />

• What other income sources will continue or may discontinue<br />

going to your spouse after your death (e.g. CPP, Old<br />

Age Security, other income)?<br />

• Does your Spouse have his or her own pension?What financial<br />

commitments will you have after your retirement<br />

(living expenses, mortgages, other debt)?<br />

• You cannot change your spouse under a Joint and Survivor<br />

option once the pension has commenced. If your Spouse<br />

passes away before you do, the pension will end upon your<br />

death and will not continue to any other person. Even if you<br />

had a new spouse on your death.<br />

If you do not have a Spouse or if your Spouse agrees to sign<br />

a waiver forfeiting their right to a lifetime pension of at least<br />

60 per cent, you may choose a Joint and Survivor ½ Pension,<br />

a straight Life pension with no continuation after your death,<br />

or a Life Pension with a 5, 10, or 15 year certain guarantee<br />

period:<br />

Straight Life – your pension ends upon your death. No<br />

benefit is paid to a beneficiary or Spouse. (Option 1)<br />

Life with 5 Years Certain (Normal Pension) – this is the<br />

base pension from which all the other options are calculated.<br />

This pension is paid to you for your life but if you pass away<br />

prior to 60 months of payments being made, the remaining<br />

months will be paid to your beneficiary. For example, if you<br />

passed away exactly 4 years after the start of your pension,<br />

under this option another 12 monthly payments would be paid<br />

to your beneficiary. After a total of 60 payments had been made,<br />

the pension will stop. (Option 2.)<br />

Life with 10 Years Certain – this option works the same as<br />

Life with 5 Years Certain except that the certain guarantee<br />

period is 10 years (120 months) instead of 5 years (60 months).<br />

This is Option 3.<br />

Life with 15 Years Certain – this option works the same as<br />

Life with 5 Years Certain except that the Certain guarantee<br />

period is 15 years (180 months) instead of 5 years (60 months).<br />

This is Option 4.<br />

Benefits Plan<br />

frIDAY NOVEMBEr 1 @ 7PM<br />

$10 TICKET DISCOUNT fOr <strong>IUOE</strong> 115 MEMBErS<br />

$3/TICKET gOES TO VArIETY CHILDrENS CHArITY<br />

SHOW YOUr PrIDE!<br />

CONTACT SHArON jOPIO ON 604-930-5453 TO BOOK<br />

As a result of electing an option providing a longer certain<br />

guarantee period, which will guarantee a certain period of<br />

payments to your beneficiary or estate, the monthly amount<br />

of your pension is reduced accordingly.<br />

Remember that if you choose a form of pension that<br />

provides a certain guarantee period and you survive beyond<br />

the certain guarantee period, there will be no continuing<br />

payments after your death.<br />

In addition to the above options, each of the Joint and<br />

Survivor options can also be elected with a 5, 10 or 15 Year<br />

Certain guarantee. Under any of these options, the pension is<br />

payable for your lifetime and, on your death, payable for your<br />

Spouse’s lifetime.<br />

Should you pass away before the 5, 10 or 15 Year Certain<br />

period has expired, then your Spouse will receive the pension<br />

amount that you were receiving until the end of the Certain<br />

Period. At the end of the 5, 10 or 15 Year Certain period, the<br />

amount payable to your Spouse for her lifetime will revert to<br />

either half or 2/3 of the pension amount that you were<br />

receiving.<br />

If both of you decease prior to the end of the 5, 10 or 15<br />

year Certain Period, the remaining payments of the Certain<br />

period will be paid to the applicable beneficiary or estate. The<br />

options are as follows:<br />

• Joint and Survivor 100% with 5 Years Certain (Option 8)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 100% with 10 Years Certain (Option 11)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 100% with 15 Years Certain (Option 14)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 2/3 with 5 Years Certain (Option 9)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 2/3 with 10 Years Certain (Option 12)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 2/3 with 15 Years Certain (Option 15)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 1/2 with 5 Years Certain (Option 9)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 1/2 with 10 Years Certain (Option 12)<br />

• Joint and Survivor 1/2 with 15 Years Certain (Option 15)<br />

We understand that these options can sometimes be<br />

confusing or overwhelming. If you need further assistance in<br />

understanding any of the information described here, please<br />

contact the Plan Administrator.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 25


Canadian Conference<br />

55 th Annual Canadian Conference<br />

Introduction by Rob Foskett,<br />

District 6 Member Representative<br />

It was my pleasure in August to attend the 55th Annual<br />

International Union of Operating Engineers’ Canadian<br />

Conference, hosted by our Local in conjunction with Local<br />

963 and 882.<br />

This was the perfect opportunity to share our western<br />

hospitality on behalf of the entire Local 115 membership,<br />

welcoming everyone in attendance and promising a valuable,<br />

enjoyable event for all who joined us.<br />

As always, the conference is an excellent venue to meet and<br />

share stories and ideas with other delegates from the other<br />

Canadian locals, as well as the attending International Reps,<br />

solidifying those relationships while creating new ones.<br />

Canadian Conference President Mike Gallagher’s opening<br />

remarks contained colourful humour tied in with some very<br />

serious issues that have been going on in our country over the<br />

past year. These topics included:<br />

• Bills C-377, and C-525 (both anti-union)<br />

• Training and Partnerships with First Nations councils<br />

• The 38th <strong>IUOE</strong> General Convention<br />

• National Training Fund<br />

• Stationary Engineers<br />

• “Build Force” (Construction Sector Council replacement)<br />

• Temporary Foreign Workers Program<br />

• Keystone Pipeline<br />

Attending delegates also heard from a wide variety of<br />

profound speakers, such as:<br />

• James T. Callahan – General President, International<br />

Union of Operating Engineers<br />

• Brian Hickey – General Secretary/Treasurer <strong>IUOE</strong><br />

• John Carruthers – President Enbridge Northern Gateway<br />

Pipeline<br />

• John Horgan – BC NDP MLA, Energy Critic<br />

• Ray Goodfellow – President, Crane Rental Association<br />

• Linda McQuaig – Journalist and best-selling author<br />

• Stu McNish – Award winning Television Reporter<br />

• Fraser Cocks – Exec. Dir. BC Association for Crane Safety<br />

• Jim Murphy – <strong>IUOE</strong> Canadian Regional Director<br />

It comes with pride that I learnt over the days of the conference<br />

that a number of delegates had never been to British<br />

Columbia previously, and, after our conference, now plan on<br />

coming back for a vacation in the future.<br />

I hope the pictures on the following pages capture some of<br />

the learning, fun, and inspiration we shared and gathered<br />

during this valuable event<br />

26 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

The annual <strong>IUOE</strong> Canadian Conference for <strong>2013</strong> was held this year in<br />

Nanaimo’s Coast Bastion Hotel, which is owned by the <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115<br />

Benefits and Pension Plan. The year also marks the 25th year since<br />

the event was last held in Nanaimo, at the same venue.


Clockwise from right: The main<br />

conference room at the Coast<br />

Bastion Hotel with attending<br />

delegates; Singing the national<br />

anthem during the opening<br />

ceremonies are Local 793 Business<br />

Manager Mike Gallagher, Local 772<br />

Business Manager Greg Hoath,<br />

Local 987 President Belinda<br />

Blanchard, and Local 115 Business<br />

Manager Brian Cochrane; Guests<br />

and delegates were treated to<br />

traditional dancing from Nanaimo’s<br />

Snuneymuxw First Nation group.<br />

Canadian Conference<br />

Left: The Coast Bastion Hotel in<br />

Nanaimo, owned by <strong>IUOE</strong> Local<br />

115’s Pension and Benefits Plan,<br />

hosted the 55th Canadian<br />

Conference. From left to right<br />

are Local 772 Business Manager<br />

Greg Hoath, Local 793 Business<br />

Manager Mike Gallagher, Local<br />

115 President Wayne Mills, guest<br />

speaker Linda McQuaig, and<br />

Local 115 Business Manager<br />

Brian Cochrane.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 27


Canadian Conference<br />

55 th Annual Canadian Conference<br />

Above left to right: Local 115 Business Manager Brian Cochrane; <strong>IUOE</strong> General Secretary Brian Hickey delivering his address; Prolific and wellknown<br />

Canadian journalist, columnist, non-fiction author and social critic Linda McQuaig delivered an inspiring and informative speech.<br />

Left: General President<br />

James T. Callahan<br />

generously praised the<br />

efforts of the Canadian<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Locals both for the<br />

event and organizing<br />

successes.<br />

Right: <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115<br />

past president Jack<br />

Whittaker was awarded<br />

his 50 year member<br />

award during the<br />

conference.<br />

General President James T. Callahan discussing matters with conference delegates. Nanaimo’s rich mining history was on display to<br />

enjoy at their museum’s coal mine exhibit.<br />

28 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong>


Training takes centre<br />

stage at events, and<br />

on government<br />

agendas<br />

Brad Randall,<br />

Training Administrator<br />

Hello to all members and friends of Local 115.<br />

We have had a great summer at the Training Association,<br />

with many exciting projects and initiatives taking place.<br />

It’s great to see how skills training is taking the spotlight as<br />

an important part of the growth of our province and its people.<br />

Annual Open House<br />

The third Saturday in June this year fell on the 15th, and<br />

marked our 18th Annual Open House and Heavy Equipment<br />

Rodeo at our Maple Ridge training site.<br />

Over 1,000 members and their families, along with the<br />

general public, came out for an enjoyable day operating the<br />

equipment, talking to staff and friends, and enjoying a great<br />

lunch. This year the weather cooperated and we had a beautiful<br />

sunny day, and once again we had our very popular<br />

6-person golf carts to shuttle people back and forth from the<br />

parking area to the equipment and offer some respite from the<br />

summer sun.<br />

As always there was additional equipment supplied to us by<br />

several generous equipment dealers and contractors. A huge<br />

thank you goes out to them and the 80-plus volunteers who<br />

came out to make the day a great success; without their tireless<br />

effort there would be no such event; many thanks.<br />

I would also like to thank Brother Marvin Salvail for doing<br />

an outstanding job taking all of the pictures at our Open<br />

Training Association<br />

House. Of course, the Training Association staff also did<br />

another fantastic job of organizing and running the open<br />

house.<br />

In conjunction with the open house events, donations were<br />

taken for Dollars against Diabetes. This year, over $1,500.00<br />

was raised for this worthwhile charity. Thank you to everyone<br />

who donated.<br />

On-the-Job Training<br />

Emil Anderson has been working for the Prince Rupert<br />

Port Authority on the port expansion project on Ridley Island<br />

near Prince Rupert, B.C.<br />

Emil Anderson has partnered with the Coast Tsimshian<br />

Enterprises, a local First Nations group, to investigate ways to<br />

engage with and offer training and work opportunities to the<br />

local community. As part of this effort, the OE Training Association<br />

sent two instructors to the job site (Brothers Garry<br />

Jabs and Robyn Bishop) to work with Emil Anderson to train<br />

the First Nations students on the operation of excavators,<br />

loaders, dozers and rock trucks.<br />

The project consists mainly of earthmoving and rock work,<br />

including 8.6 kilometres of rail and road bed, a concrete box<br />

underpass, a utility corridor, and installation of inbound and<br />

outbound rail tracks. Major quantities include 640,000m³ of<br />

saturated overburden, 1,165,000m³ of solid rock drilling and<br />

blasting, and 2,035m of water main. The project began in<br />

February of <strong>2013</strong>, and has a projected completion date of<br />

December 31, 2014.<br />

Working together with Emil Anderson on this project was<br />

a very rewarding and beneficial experience for both the Union<br />

and the company. We have created First Nations members in<br />

the area who are now on a career path of operating heavy<br />

equipment and becoming prosperous members, while Emil<br />

Anderson was able to provide First Nations with productive<br />

employment and valuable guidance on their project.<br />

Brothers Brian Cochrane<br />

(Business Manager), Brad<br />

Randall (Administrator), Herb<br />

Conat (Member<br />

Representatives), Garry Jabs<br />

(Instructor) and Robyn Bishop<br />

(Instructor) with members<br />

working for Emil Anderson on<br />

the Prince Rupert Port<br />

Authority’s port expansion<br />

project on Ridley Island near<br />

Prince Rupert.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 29


Training Association<br />

Skills Canada National Competition<br />

The Training Association received a great deal of exposure<br />

by setting up a 20’ x 30’ active display booth at this year’s 19th<br />

Annual Skills Canada National Competition held at B.C. Place<br />

in June. Our mobile simulator trailer, along with our electric<br />

over hydraulic mini digger and sand box was popular with the<br />

visitors who came over to see our setup and view our information<br />

display booth.<br />

The event was a great success with over 500 competitors<br />

and 7,500 attendees during the two-day Competition. Besides<br />

informative booths and demonstrations, the event featured<br />

skilled competitors from a huge variety of trades coming from<br />

all across Canada, vying for the title of National Champion for<br />

their respective trade or technology area.<br />

The Training Association also participated in the Annual<br />

Provincial Skills Canada Competition at the Tradex in April.<br />

Tool Allowance Fund<br />

The Operating Engineers Tool Allowance Fund was established<br />

to provide mechanics, millwrights, servicemen and<br />

welders with an allowance to assist in the purchase of new<br />

up-to-date tools, as well as tools broken or lost on the job.<br />

The following is required to qualify for the tool allowance:<br />

• Must be a member in good standing;<br />

• Minimum 250 hours must be contributed on the<br />

members behalf;<br />

• Must be dispatched in the trade in which they are<br />

working.<br />

Application forms for tool allowance reimbursement will<br />

be sent out in the first week of October, <strong>2013</strong>. The deadline for<br />

submitting applications is December 31st, <strong>2013</strong>.<br />

Members who have received a tool allowance in the past<br />

30 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

Brothers Jeff Gorham (Training Coordinator), Brad Randall<br />

(Administrator) and Randy Grisewood (Training Coordinator) at the<br />

National Skills Canada Competition in BC Place. Picture taken by<br />

Brother Tom Kinnear (Training Coordinator).<br />

will automatically be sent an application form if they continue<br />

to meet the above requirements. Those members that have<br />

not received a tool allowance in the past and meet the above<br />

requirements to qualify can contact the Training Association<br />

office for an application form.<br />

Brothers Mike Spiruda (Member Representative) and Tom Kinnear (Training<br />

Coordinator) recently attended the Canada North Resources Expo held in Prince George.<br />

The Training Association brought their mobile simulator trailer, with mobile crane and<br />

excavator simulators, for the crowd to try their hand at. The simulators were very well<br />

received by both exhibitors and attendees of the two day Expo event.<br />

Northern B.C. is bustling with activity in forestry, mining, pipelines, energy generation,<br />

oil and gas, and so much more. The event showcased the leaders and rising stars of all<br />

these industries, of which the <strong>IUOE</strong> plays a vital role. The event focused on the<br />

machinery, products, technology, services, talent and manpower needed to get the<br />

infrastructure developed as these mega projects ramp up.


Training Classes and Updates<br />

Brothers Brian Koch (Instructor), Doug Nicoll, Sister Donna Ive,<br />

Gilbert Sutthery and Brad Randall (Administrator).<br />

Brother Koch provided a 1-week Train the Trainer course for Doug,<br />

Donna and Gilbert who work for Wastech Services Ltd. at their<br />

Coquitlam waste transfer station. This course will assist them in<br />

passing on their expertise and knowledge to trainees operating<br />

Dozers, Loaders, Excavators and Lift Trucks.<br />

Wastech is the primary service provider for all waste transfer stations<br />

in the Lower Mainland. They have a facility in North Vancouver, 2 in<br />

Coquitlam, 1 in Surrey and 1 in Abbotsford. The waste is transported<br />

to the Cache Creek land fill which is also operated by Wastech and<br />

members of the Operating Engineers.<br />

Students being trained by Brother Steve Carter (Instructor) for<br />

certification on the Counter Balanced forklift are Brothers Rod<br />

Niverva, Jeff Billingsley, Daniel Bowyer.<br />

Training Association<br />

Mobile Crane Common Core class is Brothers James Knowles, Craig<br />

Weatherly, Sister Michele Greco, Brothers Jason Krickan, Kevin<br />

Hildebrandt and Rick Anderson (Instructor).<br />

Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) class are Anthony Gay, Krystal<br />

Hoisington, Jason Hladchuk, Brady Simpson, Philip Battista, David<br />

James, Michael Anderson, Alex Lomas-Rundquist, Phillip Stanton and<br />

Robyn Bishop (Instructor).<br />

Mobile Crane Common Core class is Brothers Mike Stromgren, Rick<br />

Anderson (Instructor), Brian Giesbrecht, Brad Heedle, Rob Swan and<br />

Anderson Poh.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 31


Training Association<br />

18th Annual Open House<br />

On Saturday June 15th, <strong>2013</strong>, the <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 Training Association hosted their 18th Annual Open<br />

House and Heavy Equipment Rodeo at the Haney training site in Maple Ridge. Over 1,000 guests<br />

attended to take part in fun competitions, operate the impressive range of equipment on display, and<br />

enjoy lunch with fellow members and friends.<br />

32 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong>


Training Association<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 33


Member Profile<br />

Kasper Mayer:<br />

Keeping it Local, Keeping it Union<br />

While legions of construction<br />

workers often have to endure working<br />

far away from their homes, families,<br />

and their communities to earn a living,<br />

Kasper Mayer believes it is possible to<br />

beat the odds.<br />

And he should know, as a 56-year<br />

resident of the Kootenays and 50-year<br />

member of the Operating Engineers<br />

Local 115.<br />

The now-retired heavy equipment<br />

operator, former business representative<br />

and elected board member, as well<br />

as a health and welfare plan trustee for<br />

the Local 115’s District 6 has acquired a<br />

wealth of experience in the construction<br />

sector—and all of it within driving<br />

distance of his home.<br />

“It’s possible to do. You need to be<br />

multi-skilled and willing to take any<br />

job,” says Mayer. “A lot of guys will get<br />

a call from the union’s dispatch for a<br />

34 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

three-day job and will turn it down,<br />

waiting for the big six-month jobs to<br />

come along. But sometimes that threeday<br />

job turns out to be a year.”<br />

Mayer adds, however, that a lot has<br />

changed in the industry since he<br />

started out in 1963 at the age of 23.<br />

At that time, he was looking for a<br />

career. His two older brothers—<br />

Edward and the late Albert—were<br />

Local 115<br />

members and<br />

encouraged<br />

him to get into<br />

trades, and the<br />

union.<br />

“Albert was a shovel operator and<br />

Edward was an oiler (equipment<br />

servicing),” he says. “They liked what<br />

they were doing and earned a living<br />

doing it, so I got interested.”<br />

Mayer started off as a grademan,<br />

reading engineer layout plans and<br />

working with equipment operators to<br />

check excavation levels to make sure<br />

they were accurate. This was, and still<br />

is, an especially important task in road<br />

building projects, and ended up<br />

becoming where he spent much of his<br />

working career.<br />

But Mayer also remembers how at<br />

that time, training and union membership<br />

were much less formal or<br />

automated than today.<br />

“This was before we had the OE<br />

training plan,” Mayer says. “Then you<br />

learned on the job, by the seat of your<br />

pants, with the guidance of older<br />

members. Either you got it or you got<br />

out.”<br />

Even joining the union wasn’t the<br />

relatively straight-forward process it is<br />

now. “In those days, you had to be<br />

sponsored by a member to join the<br />

union. You applied and then went to a<br />

membership meeting. They all asked<br />

you questions. Then they kicked you<br />

out and had a vote on whether to let<br />

you in” says Mayer.<br />

After his hard-fought acceptance,<br />

Mayer signed up to learn to operate a<br />

scraper on a local road project. Soon<br />

after, he was working on a variety of<br />

jobs—road building, bridge work, and<br />

BC Hydro projects, which he says were<br />

a huge part of the construction scene in<br />

the Kootenays<br />

in the 1960s<br />

and 70s. This<br />

was in addition<br />

to highway<br />

work and later<br />

building and expanding the major coal<br />

mines in the region, such as the<br />

Fording, Green Hills and Line Creek<br />

facilities.<br />

“When I got into the industry, there<br />

was no Highway 3 from Castlegar on<br />

(East). There was no Rogers Pass. All<br />

we had were ferries and rail,” he recalls.<br />

Working on these projects gave him<br />

the chance to expand his knowledge of<br />

equipment operating to bulldozers,<br />

loaders and various types of cranes. It<br />

also got him elected as a shop steward—<br />

back then known by many as a<br />

“Shoppy”—on many jobs.<br />

Becoming a Shoppy is what led<br />

Mayer to run for a position on the<br />

District 6 board in 1980. He continued<br />

to work as an equipment operator and<br />

steward until he was offered a staff<br />

position as a business rep in 1983.<br />

Mayer accepted the job, albeit with<br />

some reservation, as his duties would<br />

include advocating and assisting Local<br />

115 members outside the construction<br />

sector, especially since workers at some<br />

of the mines had joined the local as<br />

well.<br />

“I worked in construction, so I felt<br />

good about being a rep for<br />

“Back then you learned on the<br />

job, by the seat of your pants, with<br />

the guidance of older members.<br />

Either you got it or you got out.”


construction,” he says. “Then I inherited<br />

the Line Creek mine when the<br />

workers joined the union. I didn’t know<br />

much about mining. But I managed.”<br />

Mayer continued to service projects<br />

throughout the Kootenay-Columbia<br />

region, including the expansion of the<br />

Rogers Pass tunnel in 1984 and 1985,<br />

until his retirement in 1995.<br />

While overall Mayer is proud and<br />

satisfied with his 32-year career, he<br />

does have one regret: the slow uptake<br />

by the construction trades to respond<br />

to the anti-union legislation and developments<br />

in the 1980s.<br />

Mayer specifically remembers<br />

actions directed against workers in the<br />

construction sector, in particular the<br />

introduction of illegitimate front<br />

groups posing as unions.<br />

“I was still in the industry when we<br />

got hit with things like CLAC,” he says,<br />

adding it was a strategic but unforseeable<br />

error for all building trades not to<br />

be more aggressive in organizing and<br />

educating construction workers against<br />

these developments.<br />

“Hindsight is always 20-20. In retrospect,<br />

we should have taken it more<br />

seriously. At first we thought it was just<br />

a flash-in-the-pan.”<br />

Mayer says that the best way to<br />

combat anti-union attacks is to focus<br />

on organizing and getting members<br />

“Then I inherited the Line<br />

Creek mine when the<br />

workers joined the union. I<br />

didn’t know much about<br />

mining. But I managed.”<br />

interested in talking to one another.<br />

“Membership meetings also used to<br />

be a lot more social,” he says.<br />

“There isn’t the interest there used<br />

to be 20 or 30 years ago. Then, people<br />

would drive for an hour to go to a<br />

meeting. Now they won’t cross the<br />

street for one.”<br />

He says there needs to be more<br />

Send us your photos!<br />

Tips<br />

Outdoor, action shots are always best, but group shots of your crew are great<br />

too. Watch for the flare that can be reflected on safety vests. Also, look out for<br />

hard hats that can throw harsh shadows on faces. Try get an <strong>IUOE</strong> logo in there!<br />

With group photos, have people arranged in a semi-circle rather than a straight<br />

line. To avoid harsh shadows, move them a step or two away from back walls.<br />

Member Profile<br />

discussion about the huge advantages<br />

of collective action among people, over<br />

the “I don’t need anybody” attitude. He<br />

adds he raised an entire family, put kids<br />

through university, and saved for a<br />

secure retirement thanks to his union<br />

involvement.<br />

“The guys with the ‘I want money in<br />

my hand... I don’t need anybody’ idea<br />

have been proven wrong enough.”<br />

Although he has a wealth of fond<br />

memories from over three decades<br />

working in construction and actively<br />

supporting and being involved with<br />

Local 115, Mayer concludes that “for<br />

the last 18 years, I have had the best job<br />

possible: retirement.<br />

“My wife and I travel a lot, and<br />

spend time with the kids and grandkids.”<br />

He also visits his OE colleagues<br />

from time to time. “One of the old guys<br />

who sponsored me is still around!”<br />

And, in case you needed to ask,<br />

Kasper Mayer still lives in his home<br />

town of Cranbrook.<br />

The OE <strong>News</strong> is looking for any photos you can share! Show off your skills, workplace,<br />

and colleagues - your photo could land up in our publication and win you a prize!<br />

Digital images<br />

• Please use the highest quality settings on your camera when taking photos.<br />

• You can easily upload images at: www.iuoe115.com/media/submit or email them to media@iuoe115.com (if under 5mb)<br />

• You could also send CDs or USB drives of photos to our office address. We’ll make sure to get them back to you on request.<br />

• Always include the location, date, name of person(s) in the photo, and a description of what is taking place.<br />

Printed photos<br />

If you have printed photos, please send them to:<br />

Kevin Willemse, Communications Coordinator, <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115<br />

4333 Ledger Avenue, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 3T3.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 35


General Meeting<br />

General Membership Meeting<br />

On Saturday September 21, <strong>2013</strong>, The <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115<br />

held their General Membership Meeting at the Local’s<br />

Burnaby auditorium. It was quite interesting, given that we<br />

are Local 115, that the meeting was attended by exactly 115<br />

members and guests!<br />

Past minutes and details of the Local’s activities for the last<br />

six months were read, and questions invited from the floor.<br />

Appreciation was shown for Local 115’s ongoing community<br />

involvement and donations towards valuable causes, always<br />

done on behalf of the membership, under the Executive<br />

Boards’ approval.<br />

A recurring theme throughout the meeting was that of the<br />

Local’s efforts and successes in the Temporary Foreign Worker<br />

case. The support of the<br />

membership, the international,<br />

and the public were<br />

recognised as crucial in<br />

these successes, and how,<br />

although the matter would<br />

never have come to light without Local 115’s attention, it<br />

never would have achieved such success without their ongoing<br />

support.<br />

B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair then took<br />

the floor with his usual insightful, passionate, and hard-hitting<br />

manner. While he recognised the challenges we face, he also<br />

spoke of the successes Local 115 has achieved recently, and<br />

how positive it is that the provincial government was beginning<br />

to engage with labour leaders.<br />

One sobering point he made was that, in his dealings with<br />

labour unions across the province, <strong>IUOE</strong> Local 115 was the<br />

only union showing steady growth, while others were<br />

Featured are Business Manager Brian Cochrane and President Wayne Mills with new initiates, sworn in at the General Membership Meeting.<br />

36 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

stagnant or shrinking. While it is easy to enjoy this success, it<br />

highlights how important it is for us to keep up our hard work<br />

and momentum. As Sinclair quoted: “There is not one thing<br />

that working people do not have that they did not have to<br />

fight for; and if we don’t keep fighting for it, we don’t get to<br />

keep it.” Definitely words we should all remember.<br />

Also discussed was the difficult plight of construction<br />

workers in Vancouver’s downtown core, which seems rife with<br />

abusive employer habits and exploited foreign workers. It is<br />

indeed a sad situation for these people who feel they have<br />

no-one to fight for them—thank goodness for those who<br />

support the Union as their shared voice, who don’t have to<br />

endure such unfair labour situations.<br />

Training projects, especially<br />

up north and strongly<br />

associated with the upcoming<br />

megaprojects, was also<br />

covered. There are massive<br />

opportunities for workers<br />

and the Union to grow if a strategic plan to address the skills<br />

shortage is addressed, and is something Local 115 will be<br />

putting effort into. This will grow our membership, create<br />

work opportunities for them, and foster relations with<br />

communities, industry, and government programs. With<br />

around 800,000 potential workers, engagement with First<br />

Nations groups is also recognized as a crucial part of any<br />

success we have up north.<br />

Besides these large-scale future training opportunities,<br />

Training Association administrator Brad Randall reported<br />

full, back-to-back bookings on most existing courses, and is<br />

even looking at ways to increase capacity. This is extremely<br />

“There is not one thing that working people have<br />

that they did not have to fight for; and if we don’t<br />

keep fighting for it, we don’t get to keep it.”<br />

BC Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair


As an interesting coincidence, one hundred and fifteen (115)<br />

members and guests attended the meeting.<br />

encouraging, but also challenging in that we must develop a<br />

strategic and sustainable response to the growing demand<br />

that will help the Local grow even further.<br />

Brother Don Swerdan told the audience that Local 115, on<br />

behalf of BASES (the Burnaby Association for the South East<br />

Side), are looking to collect used construction gear and clothing<br />

from anyone who may be able to spare some. With the<br />

closing of the Value Village on Kingsway (Burnaby), many<br />

would-be workers who are unable to purchase gear are stranded,<br />

so any donations are appreciated. Brother Swerdan asks<br />

that if any member has donations, they can drop them off at<br />

the Local at 4940 Canada Way during office hours, or contact<br />

him for on 604-291-8831 to make arrangements.<br />

Long service awards were handed out to members, and<br />

fourteen new members were sworn in as well. Congratulations<br />

to our long time members, and welcome to our new<br />

members—we hope to see you at our regular meetings soon.<br />

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30p.m. with a lunch<br />

which all enjoyed. The next General Membership Meeting<br />

will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 9:30a.m.<br />

B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair spoke passionately<br />

about the successes and challenges for Local 115 and the workforce.<br />

Questions were welcomed from the members.<br />

General Meeting<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> Canadian Representative Lionel Railton with attendees.<br />

Local 115’s newest Organizer, Bryan Railton.<br />

As always, many fun door prizes and generous donations were<br />

raffled off and given to those lucky to have a prize-winning ticket.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 37


Member Recognition<br />

Honouring our members<br />

60 yEAR MEMBERS<br />

Brother William Misiewich and his 60 year plaque.<br />

Brother Paul Valer and Member Rep Frank Carr.<br />

38 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

Member Rep Frank Carr and Brother Edward Nickel.<br />

20 yEAR MEMBERS<br />

Brother Fred Babuik receives his commemorative 60 year plaque.<br />

Business Manager Brian Cochrane and President Wayne Mills with Edward<br />

Sawatsky and William Spiwak and their 60 year awards.


50 yEAR MEMBERS<br />

Member Recognition<br />

Honouring our members<br />

Business Manager Brian Cochrane and President Wayne Mills congratulate our 50 year members, Brothers Ernest Ratzlaff, Giuseppe Zucchi,<br />

Fred Melling, and Harvey House.<br />

Member Rep Wayne Kemp and Brother<br />

Armand Lefebvre.<br />

Brother John Mackenzie receives his 50 year<br />

watch.<br />

Brother John Williams with his 50 year<br />

watch from Member Rep Wayne Kemp.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 39


Member Recognition<br />

Honouring our members<br />

40 yEAR MEMBERS<br />

40 year member Brother Jacques Tremblay.<br />

Brothers Antonio Russo, John McRae, and Armando Favero with Business Manager Brian<br />

Cochrane and President Wayne Mills on their 40 year membership anniversary.<br />

40 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

Member Reps Curtis Harold and Tim Cullen congratulate Brother<br />

Leroy Ward on his 40 years’ of membership.<br />

Brother Michael Prystae receives his 40<br />

year pin from Member Rep Frank Carr.


30 yEAR MEMBERS<br />

20 yEAR MEMBERS<br />

Member Recognition<br />

Honouring our members<br />

Brother William Hencheroff receives his 30 year pin from Business Manager Brian Cochrane and President Wayne Mills.<br />

Business Manager Brian Cochrane, President Wayne Mills, and<br />

Brother Stan Bruce with his 20 year pin.<br />

Brother Richard Morgan receives his 20 year pin from Member<br />

Representative Wayne Kemp.<br />

Congratulations to all our members celebrating decades of service this year. Please see the<br />

following page for a full list of all long term members being awarded.<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 41


Member Recognition<br />

Membership Awards - All Districts<br />

May <strong>2013</strong> - September <strong>2013</strong><br />

10 Years<br />

Orin R. Anderson<br />

Shane G. Antonichuk<br />

Richard W. Bates<br />

Luke Bertrand<br />

Kim W. Bostock<br />

Terry L. Bucsis<br />

Robert O. Burton<br />

Thomas C. Candy<br />

Barry P. Cappellani<br />

Alexander E. Corsi<br />

Stephen M. Couper<br />

Brad A. Demmon<br />

Harlan J. Fenske<br />

Tim Harris<br />

Peter A. Hills<br />

Paul A. Johnson<br />

Matthew R. Johnson<br />

Thomas J. Kinnear<br />

Jeff W. Konken<br />

Morley F. Levick<br />

Dylan Livingston<br />

James A. Mcchesney<br />

Randall K. Neiser<br />

John R. Nucich<br />

Darrin E. Osterberg<br />

Darcy Purdue<br />

David Ryan<br />

Brandon J. Sikora<br />

Mark C. Stuart<br />

Gordon H. Turnell<br />

Kerry E. Wagantall<br />

Cory Ward<br />

Allen A. Willinger<br />

Peter J. Ypma<br />

Andi J. Zanchetta<br />

20 Years<br />

Emilio Aviani<br />

Gilbert R. Amundson<br />

42 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

Alvaro Baptista<br />

Randal G. Bergen<br />

Maurice J. Bisson<br />

Stan W. Bruce<br />

Allan M. Carr<br />

Terry A. Davis<br />

Ronald K. Dawson<br />

Kevin A. Den Duyf<br />

Mike J. Dickey<br />

Michael Disiewicz<br />

David R. Eastman<br />

Mark R. Farley<br />

David L. Fraser<br />

Norbert W. Froese<br />

Marcel P. Hubinon<br />

Sydney Jackson<br />

Paul Kirkham<br />

Ken Landrock<br />

Wayne A. Lupick<br />

Patrick Maychruk<br />

Robert C. Mcgladdery<br />

August C. Moldowan<br />

Richard H. Morgan<br />

Christine M. Naber<br />

Roger B. Poulsen<br />

David A. Romanchuk<br />

Kevin R. Savage<br />

Robin D. Scott<br />

Sam B. Willson<br />

Dale D. Ziegler<br />

30 Years<br />

Antonio Altieri<br />

Stjepan Brkic<br />

Ted Carlson<br />

Douglas G. Gerrard<br />

Murray E. Guenther<br />

William O. Hencheroff<br />

Dean E. Kirkpatrick<br />

Donald G. Macburney<br />

Vincent Perez<br />

Danny P. Peters<br />

Paul A. Peters<br />

Orval Pohl<br />

John I. Schadt<br />

Barry T. Sheehan<br />

Howard J. Skinner<br />

Ronny T. Svardfeldt<br />

Louie G. Szlovicsak<br />

Leigh L. Temple<br />

Zvone Vucetic<br />

Glen A. Weismiller<br />

Terry A. Williams<br />

40 Years<br />

Robin N. Andrews<br />

Melvin L Armstrong<br />

Rory G. Atchison<br />

Renzo R. Benvenuto<br />

William J. Corrins<br />

James O. Curtis<br />

Vittorio D. Dalpiaz<br />

David G. Dundas<br />

Armando Favero<br />

Barry A. Fortais<br />

Terry I. Gunn<br />

Ken F. Halpin<br />

Victor D. Harrison<br />

Clive W. Jones<br />

Brian L. Koch<br />

Julius P. Maas<br />

Edward A. Madge<br />

Stanley M. Mazur<br />

Walter L. Mckendry<br />

John A. McRae<br />

David N. Moffat<br />

Walter Much<br />

Wilfred J. o’ Brien<br />

Clifford C. Oleksiew<br />

Arthur B. Oxbury<br />

David D. Peffers<br />

Michael Prystae<br />

William S. Quackenbush<br />

Rodney L. Robinson<br />

Antonio Russo<br />

Arthur E. Ryde<br />

Ernie C. Smith<br />

Lloyd A. Speirs<br />

Jacques O. Tremblay<br />

John A. Walker<br />

Leroy S. Ward<br />

50 Years<br />

Earl L. Cooke<br />

Darcy R. Cote<br />

Harvey S. House<br />

Armand Lefebvre<br />

John A. Mackenzie<br />

Fred A. Melling<br />

Ernest Ratzlaff<br />

Sandy Snihor<br />

John L. Whittaker<br />

John K. Williams<br />

Giuseppe (Joe) Zucchi<br />

60 Years<br />

Fred T. Babuik<br />

Arthur Cahoon<br />

Metro J. Dutka<br />

Kenneth N. Mitchell<br />

Edward Nickel<br />

Edward H. Sawatsky<br />

Art W. Schmale<br />

William U. Spiwak<br />

Paul Valer


Pensions awarded<br />

May <strong>2013</strong> - September <strong>2013</strong><br />

Brian Adey – June 1<br />

Orin Anderson – July 1<br />

Garry Baird – Aug 1<br />

Anton Baxter – Sep 1<br />

Mary Birch – May 1<br />

Roy Briscoe – June 1<br />

Phil Burnett – Sep 1<br />

Robert Ceriko – July 1<br />

Gordon Chaisson – June 1<br />

Carman Charbonneau – Oct 1<br />

Garry Clease – Sep 1<br />

Wayne Crandlemire – July 1<br />

Eliano Dalla Vecchia – Aug 1<br />

Dennis Davidson – May 1<br />

John Davison – Sep 1<br />

John Digman – May 1<br />

Kevin Doucet – June 1<br />

Gerry Dumont – May 1<br />

Howard Finch – Sep 1<br />

Hans Frederiks – Aug 1<br />

Pete Fredrickson – Sep 1<br />

Ivan German – Oct 1<br />

Michael Gillis – June 1<br />

Robert Glennie – July 1<br />

Chris Gramlich – May 1<br />

Gordon Green – July 1<br />

E. Joseph Guetre – June 1<br />

Ritchie Hatlelid – July 1<br />

Vernon Haugen – Sep 1<br />

Neil Holdstock – July 1<br />

Bruce Hollett – June 1<br />

Kenneth Humphrey – July 1<br />

Rodney Irwin – Aug 1<br />

Kenneth Ivany – July 1<br />

Bernt Jensen – Oct 1<br />

Peter Kaushakis – Sep 1<br />

Ken Kennedy – July 1<br />

Terrance Leonard – July 1<br />

Lee Levers – July 1<br />

Darrell Lowes – Aug 1<br />

Kirl Mallette – July 1<br />

James Matkowski – July 1<br />

James McEwen – Aug 1<br />

Lloyd McKay – Sep 1<br />

Danny Michalski – June 1<br />

Ronald Moore – Sep 1<br />

Gordon Murcheson – Aug 1<br />

Gerry Nault – Aug 1<br />

Louie Neuburger – Oct 1<br />

Andrew Newey – May 1<br />

Paul Notte – Sep 1<br />

Gary Oberle – June 1<br />

Gilles Ouellet – Aug 1<br />

John Parrott – Oct 1<br />

Ken Person – May 1<br />

Ray Pisoni – July 1<br />

Les Roblin – Sep 1<br />

Glen Salchert – Aug 1<br />

John Schadt – Sep 1<br />

R. Wayne Scott – June 1<br />

Gary Smoler – July 1<br />

Douglas Stanvick – Aug 1<br />

Marek Surga – July 1<br />

Charles Teeple – Aug 1<br />

Murray Trefry – Aug 1<br />

Ken Tresierra – June 1<br />

James Walker – Oct 1<br />

John Wild – July 1<br />

Daryl Williamson – Sep 1<br />

Robert Woytula – June 1<br />

Dale Ziegler – Sep 1<br />

Member Recognition<br />

Remembering members<br />

who recently passed away<br />

April <strong>2013</strong><br />

Caron, Tony 93 April 23, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Alexander, Ted W. 57 April 27, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Marasco, Jack T. 77 April 27, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Vigini, Mario 82 April 29, <strong>2013</strong><br />

May <strong>2013</strong><br />

Brittain, Kenneth D. 82 May 13, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Railton, Lionel D. 79 May 14, <strong>2013</strong><br />

McColman, Russell E. 81 May 15, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Wheeler, Edward E. 85 May 26, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Tough, James H. 68 May 27, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Gallagher, Glenn W. 82 May 28, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Ford, Paul 90 May 30, <strong>2013</strong><br />

June <strong>2013</strong><br />

Graham, John W. 82 June 6, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Burmeister, Rod A. 74 June 9, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Nelson, Gordon B. 83 June 17, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Garneau, Ronald P. 77 June 18, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Green, Barry F. 79 June 20, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Nelles, Murray E. 51 June 22, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Martin, Richard 23 June 29, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Dobrindt, Edwin F. 77 June 30, <strong>2013</strong><br />

July <strong>2013</strong><br />

Hall, Brian M. 59 July 9, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Thomson, Donald 83 July 11, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Girard, Vince C. 79 July 17, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Stromquist, Helge E. 82 July 19, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Purcha, Tony F. 83 July 25, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Snihor, Sandy 78 July 27, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Brooks, Wesley K. 84 July 29, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Enns, Jake 85 July 31, <strong>2013</strong><br />

August <strong>2013</strong><br />

Cran, William R. 68 Aug 8, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Harris, Curtis M. 82 Aug 13, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Knowles, John W. 72 Aug 13, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Kirkpatrick, Jack A. 74 Aug 14, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Akre, Ruben E. 86 Aug 18, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Mcdonald, Glen R. 66 Aug 18, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Hand, David J. 69 Aug 22, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Malmas, Donald T 84 Aug 28, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Anderson, Lloyd G. 74 Aug 30, <strong>2013</strong><br />

September <strong>2013</strong><br />

Gudwer, William J. 95 Sep 1, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Lemon, George A. 83 Sep 9, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Beadle, Douglas C. 53 Sep 15, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Macintosh, Murray 75 Sep 16, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Kereliuk, William S. 67 Sep 18, <strong>2013</strong><br />

Span, Hans U. 75 Sep 22, <strong>2013</strong><br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 43


Member Recognition<br />

Welcome to 360 new Local 115 members<br />

Alejandro Aceytuno<br />

Russell Adams<br />

Fasih Ahmed<br />

Scott Anderson<br />

Dragan Arivukovic<br />

Margaret Arland<br />

Kyle Arnott<br />

Bryan Artlett<br />

Joga S Bagri<br />

Jay Bailey<br />

Tynan Ball<br />

Travis Beausoleil<br />

Josh Beck<br />

Matthew Beemer<br />

Jeff Billingsley<br />

Evan Bogart<br />

Yves Boudrias<br />

Farren Brown<br />

Cole S Burritt<br />

Philip Cairns<br />

Robert Camporese<br />

Sandro Carelli<br />

Trevor Carlson<br />

Chris Chalmers<br />

Adrian Christensen<br />

David Clark<br />

Peter Cochlin<br />

Bradley Cooper<br />

Bruno Cote<br />

Kyle Cotton<br />

Timothy Cotton<br />

Lucas Crace<br />

Traci Crockett<br />

Nicole Dicks<br />

Cyron Domingo<br />

Kevin Douglas<br />

Darren W Drein<br />

Blake Duerden<br />

Christopher Felser<br />

Nicholas Felske<br />

Jordan Floro<br />

Joseph Floro<br />

Matthew Fox<br />

William Freduah<br />

Nicole Freeman<br />

Ryan D Gahan<br />

Glen George<br />

Billy Gladue<br />

Jennifer Graham<br />

Scott Guthrie<br />

Steven Halinen<br />

Mark Hall<br />

Adam Halvorson<br />

Taylor Happy<br />

Matt Harrap<br />

Justin Harrison<br />

Zakari Hyvarinen<br />

Chris Ishri<br />

Mike Jackson<br />

Andrew N Jones<br />

Chris Jones<br />

Patrick Joseph<br />

Travis Kelly<br />

Elliot Kennedy<br />

Ian King<br />

Lukasz Konczewski<br />

Doug Kreider<br />

Brad Kurtz<br />

Colin Lambrecht<br />

Dave Larson<br />

Brent Laurita<br />

Nic Le Tullec<br />

Steven Lewis<br />

Benshiong Lim<br />

Anthony Lukacs<br />

Dean Macklin<br />

Hany Magar<br />

Paul Mccluskey<br />

John Mcdonell<br />

Rueben Mcginty<br />

Jason Mclean<br />

Tyson Mclean<br />

Mitch Mcmillan<br />

Tyler Mcmillan<br />

Stewart Milby<br />

Nick A Moldowan<br />

Ryan Mosses<br />

Richard L Nelson<br />

Brent Nicholls<br />

Nick Nociar<br />

Frank Oelkers<br />

Chance Ormiston<br />

Brad Pattenden<br />

Kevin E Pawson<br />

Garnet Penny<br />

Wesley Perry<br />

Daryl Petersen<br />

Chad Poole<br />

Ian Preston<br />

James Price<br />

Mark Reynolds<br />

Morgan Rice<br />

Taylor Ross<br />

Jackson Sabo<br />

Pardeep Sangha<br />

Wayne Schiller<br />

Will Seoane<br />

Robert Serena<br />

Kyle Sharp<br />

Alex Sherlaw<br />

James Shields<br />

John Shortridge<br />

Calvin Simms<br />

Sean Simpson<br />

Jordan Squire<br />

Clayton Stewart<br />

Cassie Stobbe<br />

Andrew Szabo<br />

Teran Teubert<br />

Bryan Thompson<br />

44 <strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong><br />

Mark Threfall<br />

Sean Tremblay<br />

Justin Trodd<br />

Kevin Veenhof<br />

Pierce Vinje<br />

Kyle Wamsteeker<br />

Graham J Ward<br />

Allen Watson<br />

Daniel Wegener<br />

John A Weisbrod<br />

Mathew Wetteland<br />

Matthew White<br />

Dean Wiesner<br />

Dale Williams<br />

Brennan Wright<br />

Frank Bassamese<br />

Wesley Bingham<br />

Andrew Bishop<br />

Grant Cave<br />

Brad Cleverley<br />

Breanne Coons<br />

Myles Cranmer<br />

Ken Dakin<br />

Jeffrey S Dejong<br />

John Fleming<br />

Lyle Frechette<br />

Blaine Fulk<br />

Travis Fulla<br />

Chris Gallaugher<br />

Philip George<br />

Eden Gorosh<br />

Darcy Hagen<br />

John Koopman<br />

Rodger Lajeunesse<br />

Amos G Larush<br />

David Lingard<br />

Richard Livingstone<br />

Julius Lumanta<br />

Dallas Mckay<br />

Paul Mcvey<br />

Themba Mkhize<br />

Robert Murphy<br />

Patrick O’connor<br />

Tyler Ostapovich<br />

Tim Palmer<br />

Owen Paterson<br />

Mike Pitzel<br />

Andrew Riches<br />

Paul Ripley<br />

Darrell Scott<br />

Jonathan Sebestyen<br />

Clay M Smart<br />

Corbin Smith<br />

Victor Spichtig<br />

Warren Stratton<br />

Scott Stride<br />

Don M Tapley<br />

Shane Taylor<br />

William Tilbury<br />

Jordan Van Buskirk<br />

Garret Van Houtte<br />

Dave J Von Eigler<br />

Ron C Ward<br />

Peter Welsh<br />

Robert Wheeler<br />

Todd Whittaker<br />

Lyall C Wormald<br />

Richard Advocaat<br />

Stephen Anderson<br />

Amir Bazal<br />

Jeff A Blanken<br />

Tyler Bonderud<br />

Chris Bouchard<br />

Kevin Brecknock<br />

Gary Burr<br />

Philip Butcher<br />

Steve Cady<br />

Robert Chapple<br />

Guy Chouinard<br />

Stuart Craig<br />

Stuart Davison<br />

Mark Devuyst<br />

Peter C Dignard<br />

Darlene Donchi<br />

Richard Edwards<br />

Jonathan English<br />

Joe Evans<br />

Jeff Fransen<br />

Don Gagnon<br />

Daniel J Galdames<br />

Grant Gale<br />

Scott Hamilton<br />

Timothy W Hiebert<br />

Travis L Higgins<br />

Dave Hoogendoorn<br />

Travis Hoy<br />

Chad Jorgenson<br />

Jim Kouroupis<br />

Duane Laframboise<br />

Fred Laktin<br />

Gary Landry<br />

Kevin Markotich<br />

Crystal Michalcheon<br />

Sheldon Musselman<br />

Brian Nadrozny<br />

Cameron Reid<br />

James Rempel<br />

Charles Rugg<br />

Jamie Schoonbaert<br />

Natica Soychuk<br />

Dennis Spooner<br />

Gerry Spooner<br />

Duane Stamper<br />

Larry Stickney<br />

Henry Van Dewetering<br />

Hugo Van Rooyen<br />

Jillian L Viezzer<br />

Neal Waterston<br />

Frank White<br />

William B Whyte<br />

Trevor Biner<br />

Kelly Breeden<br />

Stacey Cox<br />

Paul Dixon<br />

Chad Ellison<br />

Tanya Gaal<br />

Brandon Giesbrecht<br />

Leonard Godin<br />

Jordan Greenberg<br />

Trent Hoffman<br />

James Hudgin<br />

Curtis Ireland<br />

Damon Juneau<br />

Jeff Konrad<br />

Jeremy Kral<br />

Darin Kwitkoski<br />

David J Lamoureux<br />

Robert Leclerc<br />

Shane Long<br />

Cody Lundquist<br />

Robyn Miller<br />

Mumbanga Mokolo<br />

Troy Perry<br />

Jason Santos<br />

Arley Spencer<br />

Chad St. Amand<br />

Terry Streeter<br />

Bernard J Stryak<br />

Bevan Sweeney<br />

Matthew Tait<br />

Roland Therrien<br />

Dale Trenholm<br />

Douglas Turner<br />

Colin Walker<br />

Craig Weatherly<br />

Jurgen H Weidl<br />

Ryan Wildeman<br />

Colen Wilson<br />

Matthew Young<br />

Peter Ayles<br />

Boyd Bennett<br />

Kenneth R Bradley<br />

Dale Brazeau<br />

Paul Brocas<br />

Ricardo Byfield<br />

Mark Campbell<br />

Travis Christopherson<br />

Michael Dehaas<br />

Ryan Durand<br />

Wallace Faulkner<br />

Farrah Florence<br />

Warren French<br />

Michael Golding<br />

Brandon Heartt<br />

Bradley Heddle<br />

Dakota Jung<br />

Colby Koecher<br />

Vance Lundquist<br />

John Mackeigan<br />

Beresford Mccalla<br />

Brandon Mosher<br />

Daniel J Nickerson<br />

Zachariah Paquette<br />

Gary Piercey<br />

Orvin R Rideout<br />

Brandden Shandler<br />

Michael Stromgren<br />

Sean Teal<br />

Gerrit W Vandenhoek<br />

Shawn Wagner<br />

Stephen Wallace<br />

Jack Wheaton<br />

Tanner Withrow<br />

Wanesa Anderson<br />

Jeremy Barrett<br />

Ryan Bennett<br />

Nathan Butler<br />

Rayn Butt-Grau<br />

James Forbes<br />

Sebastien Gomard<br />

Michele Greco<br />

Tomas Green<br />

Bryan Hamulecki<br />

Robert S Hein<br />

Jessy Hill<br />

Dale Holland<br />

Adam Howse<br />

Francis Jolin<br />

Gerald Lasai<br />

Jim Mcghee<br />

Thomas Meikle<br />

Lyle Miller<br />

Kyle Philpot<br />

Mark Prince<br />

Sean Sandnes<br />

Chad Schuett<br />

Matthew Semeniuk<br />

Jesse L Stephens<br />

John Tedesco<br />

Sebastian R Venema<br />

Lisa Wah<br />

Michael Weaver<br />

Dean Bell<br />

Simon Butler<br />

Kyle Dick<br />

Cameron Dyck<br />

Paul Firth<br />

Robert W Fraser<br />

Kathy Gillis<br />

Wilfred Goulet<br />

Jonathon Hort<br />

Patrick Hunt<br />

Chris Norris<br />

Mark Perry<br />

Timothy Phelps<br />

Travis Reed<br />

Richard Richter<br />

Mark Rudolf<br />

Nathaniel Shunamon<br />

Shelley Steele


Local Union Offices<br />

District 1 and Main Office<br />

4333 Ledger Ave., Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3T3<br />

Phone: 604-291-8831 Toll Free: 1-888-486-3115 Fax: 604-473-5235<br />

E-mail: iuoe@iuoe115.com Online: www.iuoe115.com<br />

Business Manager: Brian Cochrane<br />

President: Wayne E. Mills<br />

Mgr. Administration & Special Projects: Lynda Arland<br />

Office Manager: Arlene Lindsay<br />

Communications Coordinator: Kevin Willemse<br />

Member Representatives<br />

Frank Carr Brett Chapman Everett Cummings<br />

Chip Dhaliwal Bob Higgs Craig McIntosh<br />

Stewart Miller Don Swerdan<br />

Dispatcher<br />

Jim Flynn: 604-473-5231<br />

Organizing Representative<br />

Rob Duff: 604-473-5206<br />

Bryan Railton: 604-809-6420<br />

Benefits and Pension Plans<br />

Shawn Hatch, Administrator<br />

Direct line: 604-299-8341 Fax: 604-473-5236<br />

Training Association<br />

Brad Randall, Administrator<br />

Direct line: 604-299-7764 E-mail: oetp@iuoe115.com<br />

District 2<br />

Vancouver Island:<br />

Tim Cullen, Curtis Harold, Member Representatives<br />

35 Wharf Street, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2X3<br />

Mailing Address: PO Box 213 Stn A, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5K9<br />

Phone: 250-754-4022 Fax: 250-754-5513<br />

District 3<br />

Kamloops-Revelstoke-Okanagan:<br />

Brad Gerow, Member Representative<br />

785 Tranquille Road<br />

Kamloops, B.C. V2B 3J3<br />

Phone: 250-554-2278 Fax: 250-554-1766<br />

District 4<br />

Central Interior-Yellowhead:<br />

Herb Conat & Wayne Kemp, Member Representatives<br />

#115 - 513 Ahbau Street<br />

Prince George, B.C. V2M 3R8<br />

Phone: 250-563-3669 Fax: 250-563-3603<br />

District 5<br />

Peace River and Yukon Territory:<br />

Mike Spiruda, Member Representative & Organizer<br />

Site 20, Comp 19 SS2<br />

Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 4M7<br />

Phone: 250-787-9594 Fax: 250-787-9491<br />

Tumbler Ridge Mining Office:<br />

220 Main Street, Tumbler Ridge, B.C. V0C 2W0<br />

Phone: 250-242-3888 Fax: 250-242-3881<br />

District 6<br />

East and West Kootenays:<br />

Brian Lefebvre, Rob Foskett, Member Representatives<br />

103 Centennial Square, Sparwood, B.C V0B 2G0<br />

Mailing Address: PO Box 1567, Sparwood, B.C. V0B 2G0<br />

Phone: 250-425-2161 Toll Free: 1-888-605-9955 Fax: 250-425-2166<br />

Meeting Notices for <strong>2013</strong><br />

District 1<br />

BURNABY: 1st Thursday of every month<br />

7:30p.m. at 4333 Ledger Ave., Burnaby<br />

Except March & September (due to General Membership Meeting)<br />

District 2<br />

Monthly meeting locations alternate:<br />

NANAIMO: 2nd Monday of odd months<br />

6:00p.m at the Coast Bastion Inn, 11 Bastion St.<br />

VICTORIA: 2nd Wednesday of even months<br />

7:30p.m. at the Pro Pat Legion Branch 31, #292 - 411 Gorge Rd. E.<br />

CAMPBELL RIVER/COURTENAY: Wednesday December 18th. <strong>2013</strong><br />

6:00p.m. at the Halbe Hall, 8369 N. Island Highway, Black Creek.<br />

District 3<br />

Monthly meeting locations alternate:<br />

KAMLOOPS: 2nd Thursday of even months<br />

7:30p.m. at the Union Hall, 785 Tranquille Rd.<br />

KELOWNA: 2nd Tuesday of odd months<br />

7:00p.m. at the Teamsters Hall, 185 Froelich Rd.<br />

District 4<br />

PRINCE GEORGE: 2nd Wednesday of each month<br />

8:00p.m. at Coast Inn of the North, 770 Brunswick St.<br />

PRINCE RUPERT, TERRACE, KITIMAT, SMITHERS:<br />

Members will be advised of meeting dates and times.<br />

Contact Details<br />

District 5<br />

Monthly meeting locations alternate:<br />

FORT ST. JOHN: 2nd Tuesday of odd months<br />

7:30p.m. at the Masonic Hall, 10441 100th Ave.<br />

DAWSON CREEK: 2nd Tuesday of even months<br />

7:30p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 900 118th Ave.<br />

TUMBLER RIDGE/PEACE RIVER COAL:<br />

Members will be advised of meeting date, time and place.<br />

WHITEHORSE:<br />

Teamsters Hall, 407 Black St.<br />

Members will be advised of meeting dates and times.<br />

District 6<br />

Monthly meeting locations alternate:<br />

CASTLEGAR—1st Wednesday of odd months<br />

7:00p.m. at the Super 8 Inn, 651 18th St.<br />

CRANBROOK—1st Tuesday of even months<br />

7:00p.m. at the Labour Centre (Boardroom), 105 9th Ave. South<br />

ELK VALLEY COAL CORP:<br />

Line Creek Mine<br />

Members will be advised of meeting dates and times..<br />

<strong>News</strong> October <strong>2013</strong> 45


I switched<br />

for a reason.<br />

WE’LL HAVE YOUR BACK<br />

IF THINGS GET TOUGH.<br />

For 60 years, Community Savings Credit Union has been<br />

looking after the financial needs of its <strong>IUOE</strong> sisters & brothers.<br />

<strong>IUOE</strong> BENEFITS: As a member of <strong>IUOE</strong> you’re<br />

entitled to lending discounts, better rates, waived<br />

fees and peace of mind.<br />

UNION ADVOCATES: As BC’s largest fully unionized<br />

credit union, Community Savings is unwavering in<br />

its commitment to organized labour.<br />

Try Community Savings today: Call 1-888-963-2000 or visit<br />

www.comsavings.com/ioue115.<br />

1-888-963-2000<br />

www.ComSavings.com

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!