IUOE News Winter 2013

More documents

Recommendations

Info

District Six Large projects forge ahead, with more to come. Brian Lefebvre, Member Representative As of writing this article, Teck’s Line Creek Mine operations has officially been granted all of the required permits from the provincial government, which allows an extension to the coal mine’s existing operation. This means up to another 100 employees working on the property, and at least an additional 15 years of life breathed into the mine. This is great news for our members and the entire Elk Valley. Staying with Line Creek, the membership is well on its way preparing for our next session of bargaining. Proposal sheets were sent out to members, and they recently voted on who would represent them on the Bargaining Committee. This committee is subsequently comprised of: Maintenance Guy Busato Darren Ferrarelli Plant Operations Tony Aquilla Mine Operations Kyle LaBoucane Bob Timmerman Congratulations on their successful election. The committee will be meeting shortly to review the membership proposals, and refining them into a comprehensive document which will be presented to Line Creek in early 2014. The Waneta Dam Expansion project is moving along as scheduled. There is still plenty of crane activity going on in the powerhouse, tailrace and intake, and Emil Anderson is crewing up once again to prepare for the removal of the intake and tailrace plugs. A lot of praise has been given to our membership by the management of ASL/JV (Aecon and SNC Lavalin) with regards to the ability and level of expertise that they show on the site every day. Recently we received word that ASL/JV was also the successful proponent of the design/build phases of the John Hart Dam on Vancouver Island. This project will be done under some sort of Project Labour Agreement I believe, similar to the Allied Hydro/Columbia Hydro agreement. This 22 News December 2013 “Sometimes when projects are announced, it creates a euphoria that sweeps across our members” will once again be an opportunity for the Building Trades’ to show BC Hydro the advantages of entering into their PLAs. This will also be a great opportunity for our membership on the island, as a project like this should typically provide man-hours of work for three to five years. Sometimes when projects like the John Hart Dam and the Waneta Expansion Project are announced, it creates a euphoria that sweeps across our members, and the members of other Building Trade Unions that “everyone is going to work at the dam”. While optimism and enthusiasm is good and expected, this isn’t necessarily the case. These projects will surely create opportunities for members, but often project reality does not meet the expectations of the membership. So keep your options open, don’t count on any one project to provide you with work, and if you do have the opportunity to work at these projects be cognizant of the opportunity you have, and don’t waste it. During upcoming bargaining in early 2014, in addition to the Line Creek agreement we will be reviewing contracts for the Owner Operators and Maintenance Employees of H.M. Trimble and Sons (1983) Ltd (Trimac Transportation). Both the Owner Operators and Maintenance Employees will receive proposal sheets shortly, or have them already. In closing, I would like to wish you and yours a safe and prosperous holiday season. Please also remember those who are less fortunate at this time of year, and donate to your local food bank. All the best in 2014. Brother Dominic Lastoria running a 275 tonne crane on the Waneta Dam Expansion Project.
We should never stop appreciating our members and their hard work. Rob Foskett, Member Representative As we come to the end of 2013, a recap paints the year as one that was very exciting—full of twists, turns, ups, and downs—and that was just on Highway 3! We’ve accomplished great strides and dealt with numerous challenges in our District this year, which I would like to touch on as we close off the year. At Columbia River Reload we agreed on new shift language that allows our members working there a much more family-oriented lifestyle. Our collective bargaining with the Village of New Denver is also coming along very well, and I have faith that it will continue this way along the road to ratifying the next collective agreement. This year saw the unfortunate closing of the mechanical department of the Sparwood branch of Wajax industries, dispersing the mechanics to other contractors. SMS Equipment moved into their new, larger facility in October, and we’re closing in on a year with their new Union/ Management Committee. This new Committee has changed the dynamics of our relationship with SMS, and has witnessed an enormous turnover in management in their company in a “Thank you to the Stewards with their explanations of their company histories and specific language clarification” District Six very short period of time which we have had to navigate through in our discussions and negotiations. Maxam Explosives meanwhile has seemed to weather the storm with respect to the downsizing of orders from Teck coal, and has managed to keep the bulk of our members working steadily. The Waneta Dam expansion project has been the biggest construction project in our district for over a year, and being that this is the first hydro project that I had been exposed to, I find it extremely interesting. Bob French, our Steward on the Waneta site, has been very patient answering all the questions that I have asked as the project moves from one exciting stage to another. As a matter of fact, I would like to express my appreciation to all the Shop Stewards I have relied upon this year, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty with valuable explanations of their company histories and specific language clarification. Thank you very much for helping me help you; you paint a very clear picture of the five W’s! I’ve met a tremendous amount of people this year, and have formed some very good relationships with members that I otherwise would not have enjoyed. I would also like to extend my greatest thanks to all that have helped guide me over the past year. The seemingly endless amount of knowledge made available to me has certainly been, and will continue to be greatly appreciated. That’s right; I am not finished bothering you yet! In closing, I want to wish all of our members and their families a safe and happy holiday season, and all the best in the new year! Brother Casey Jones stands in front of one of Mainland’s loaders. Brothers Jake Wolf and Dean McGladdery assist mechanics at Mainland Sand and Gravel. News December 2013 23
Page 1 and 2: News Operators look forward to a po
Page 3 and 4: There is much we can celebrate, and
Page 5 and 6: The “new kid on the block” is a
Page 7 and 8: Ups and downs in 2013, but a promis
Page 9 and 10: Work opportunities across B.C. cont
Page 11 and 12: It’s been a good year for us. Ste
Page 13 and 14: A successful year past, a busy one
Page 15 and 16: Operating Engineers have done thems
Page 17 and 18: Feature Article Right to Work Doing
Page 19 and 20: District Two continue to shift in t
Page 21 and 22: Everyone has had their fair share o
Page 23: 2013 has set the stage for large pr
Page 27 and 28: Benefits Plan Pharmacy Dispensing F
Page 29 and 30: Feature Article based on the law, t
Page 31 and 32: Accreditation proves your Training
Page 33 and 34: Training Association Making up our
Page 35 and 36: Member Profile Union Brothers - Lit
Page 37 and 38: “I bought this small property in
Page 39 and 40: Member Recognition Honouring our me
Page 41 and 42: Member Recognition Welcome to 285 n
Page 43 and 44: Contact Details Local 115 District

IUOE News Winter 2013

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?