IUOE News February 2015

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from previous page However we cannot forget that this is the same Federal Government that has been working overtime to weaken unions by changing the laws to make it more difficult to Organize by Introducing Bill C-525. The current Conservative Government has also been relentless in trying to pass Bill C-377 which would add unnecessary costs, restrictions and bureaucracy to your Local Union. As if those two issues weren’t enough, the Government’s lack of attention to protecting Canadian jobs by allowing over 300,000 Temporary Foreign Workers into Canada, including the 201 Chinese coal miners approved to work in Tumbler Ridge, should be enough to make sure we have a change in direction. As it is clear that the Federal Conservative Party is trying to destroy free collective bargaining, the Canadian Building Trades will be promoting an A-B-C campaign later this year (Anything But Conservative). Training and Organizing In 2015, the Local will be working on different strategies to train/educate and organize throughout the province. We need strong leadership and mentors to provide the next generation of Operating Engineers with the skills to grow and strengthen our Local Union. We know these efforts will help to create stronger Union members and better activists. As many of our long time members know, we have come a long way in our 84 year history, and none of it was handed to us, we had to work together to influence and adapt to change. We need to pass that history along to the next generation, and instill the pride and activism of being a part of a great Union . Local 115 Heritage Room opening After doing a quick review of an old Local 115 Collective Agreement from 1959-1960 with the Heavy Construction Association a few weeks ago, it was a good reminder of how far we have come and the improvements we have made for Operating Engineers and all workers in BC. There is a very long list of people that have put effort into making that happen over generations and it is important that we recognize all of those successes. At the March 2015 General Membership Meeting we will be showcasing our history with the Official opening of our Heritage Room here in Burnaby. If you have any pictures or pieces of history from any of the jobs worked on over the years that you may wish to share, please let us know. To close, I want to say that 2015 should turn out to be a good year for our membership. Your Executive Board and staff have been working hard to focus on all areas of the Organization to improve Agreements, Benefits and services and to create new programs to strengthen the future of our Organization, and I thank you for your continued support. Dawsons Paving Crew at Spences Bridge. 2 News March 2015
Looks like a rocky ride, but we have hope for the future Wayne E. Mills, President Welcome to the brave new world of 2015 as we look towards resource development. I was listening to a radio show the other day and it says that, percentage wise, BC has more than twice the number of people who classify construction as their livelihood than any other province in Canada. This makes organizing interesting. Site C The first RFP went out and the scope of work under the contract will generally include the following site preparation activities: • Excavation and disposal of approximately 3,000,000m3; • Quarry development, including riprap production, of approximately 100,000m3 • Building of approximately 7.25 kilometres of access roads, and • Clearing and grubbing of approximately 115 hectares. We have had meetings with CLR regarding the Turbines and those CLR contractors that have been shortlisted. It is my opinion that the First Nations issues must be addressed before the work will be allowed to proceed smoothly. KMP is heading towards hot metal this spring with final hot metal in the fall. Job completion, de-mob, load out and landscaping will be after that, but you can see it winding down as the pot lines are nearing completion. President’s Message LNG and NGP With Petronas, LNG Canada, Kitimat LNG and now Exxon entering the picture, the talk of building in the North West gets more interesting. We had thought that one or two would have had the go ahead to build but with the World economy and the $46 per barrel for crude, things have slowed a tad. Upstream of the LNG plants is the Gas Plants and the trades have had PLA discussions with CLR and Fluor regarding some of those plants that EnCana is proposing. PLA discussions with Enbridge are still proceeding, and we will continue them at the end of March. The permitting process requires they start by the third quarter of 2016. It took over a year of negotiations with the trades and contractors to get the first PLA into place, and that is the blueprint to keep them all going forward with consistency. As we shake the dust off 2015 to see what she looks like we have hope for the future. Will all these projects come together at the same time, or will the resource sector start to stumble? At this time it is anyone’s guess. Just remember to hang on tight cause she is going to be one hell of a ride this year. With the leadership of Business Manager, Brother Brian Cochrane, the Table Officers and your Executive Board, we are prepared to take on whatever comes our way. In closing, a special thanks to the Shop Stewards up at KMP for the work they do. I know how frustrating it can be herding cats, and that is what seems to be happening there some days. Thanks to all Shop Stewards and safety representatives. I apologize to their families, as sometimes there are frustrations as they deal with me in the evenings. It may sound corny but we do it for the greater good of our craft. Always remember to be safe, not just at work but at home too. Take care, have a good spring, and may the frost get out of the ground quickly so everyone can get back to work! It is my opinion that the First Nations issues must be addressed before the work will be allowed to proceed smoothly Brother Dan Charron with Gwil working at the Industrial Development Site at 196th Avenue and 32nd Avenue in Langley putting up side panels. News March 2015 3
Page 1 and 2: News Instilling pride and activism
Page 3: Delays could provide breathing room
Page 7 and 8: It’s important to keep big projec
Page 9 and 10: District One to 2018. Conditions re
Page 11 and 12: Talking to employees of non union c
Page 13 and 14: Declining economy a challenge for j
Page 15 and 16: Why organizing is important to expa
Page 17 and 18: Members need to voice our concerns
Page 19 and 20: BC BUILDING TRADES EXECUTIVE MEET W
Page 21 and 22: Site C Dam project begins 18 month
Page 23 and 24: Benefits and Pension Plan Report Be
Page 25 and 26: Training Association busy providing
Page 27 and 28: Training Association Report Crane C
Page 29 and 30: Training Association Report Brother
Page 31 and 32: Training Association Report Brother
Page 33 and 34: - Brother Lloyd Jones is being cong
Page 35 and 36: Membership Service Awards OUR 40-YE
Page 37 and 38: Member Recognition Membership Servi
Page 39 and 40: Contact Details Local 115 District

IUOE News February 2015

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