IUOE News December 2014

District One
Over 140 high-rises
under construction in
Lower Mainland
Frank Carr,
Business Representative
As the year draws to an end, it allows us with an opportunity
to reflect on the previous twelve months. Much like the year
before, there are many notable changes and successes that
have been reported in our communications over the year.
A major accomplishment is the Head Office renovation
which is now complete, and we are all benefiting from our
modern new facility. In September, we had the great honour
of General President James T. Callahan attend our General
Membership meeting. Brother Callahan addressed the
membership, recognized our efforts and
assisted in the official opening of our
impressive office building. The response
to the renovation and the new look of
the building from the membership,
employers and affiliates has been very
positive and congratulatory.
The long warm summer has now been overshadowed with
near record rainfall during the month of October, but the
amount of work hasn’t subsided as most industries in the
Lower Mainland are busy with only a few exceptions. Currently
there are over 140 new high-rises under construction with
Attending the BC Economic Forum: Women as a Catalyst for
Growth at the Vancouver Board of Trade are; L to R, Sister Goretti
Guibault, Heavy Equipment Operator with Brasco in Kittimat,
Sister Sheryl Lucyk, Crane Operator at Vancouver Pile Driving
and Frank Carr Business Representative
many more planned; residential construction is busy and the
Road Building, Utility and Paving crews are finishing up their
year-end projects.
Lehigh’s Gilley’s Quarry on the Pitt River has Pacific Site
Concrete crushing on site and they plan to be working there
until December. Geopac has been awarded their biggest
project to date at the Annacis Island Sewage Treatment Plant.
The project will be roughly nine months with six crews; in
addition, they will be performing WIC drain installation at
the Tsawwassen First Nations development until the new year.
The next phase of the Fortis Tilbury LNG project should be
starting soon; the project is roughly $400 million and includes
processing, a distribution facility and a large storage tank. We
have had preliminary meetings with Bantrel and DL Baker,
and if all goes according to plan, we should be filling orders
for the 2 year project soon.
With regard to upcoming negotiations, we will be conducting
proposal meetings for Pacific Industrial Movers and Pitt
River Quarries. Brothers and Sisters, please keep track of your
proposals and we will post and mail
out meeting notices in due course.
Recently I had the opportunity to
attend the BC Economic Forum for
Women as a Catalyst for Growth via
the Building Trades with Sister
Goretti Guilbault (Executive Board
Member, Local 115 Women’s Skills Development Liaison,
Dozer Operator) and Sister Sheryl Lucyk (Marine and Pile
Driving Crane Operator working at Vancouver Pile Driving)
and Brother Brad Randall, Vice President and Administrator
of the Training Association.
It was reported at the forum that less than 4% of construction
workers are women. The Sector we participated in
focused on Growing Women in Non-Traditional Roles and
Emerging Sectors (e.g. Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) fields and a number of key growth
sectors such as Construction, Forestry, Utilities and Mining).
Kirsten Wilson, President of Jack Cewe Ltd., co-led the
committee as the discussion focused on barriers women face,
key solutions advancing women and an action plan for change.
The recommendations will be forwarded to the Premier’s
Office for direction and implementation.
Congratulations to Brother Tom Kinnear on his move from
the Training Association to Business Representative.
Thank-You to the Shop Stewards and members that get
involved and assist us throughout the year; our continued
success depends on you.
Best wishes to you and your families this holiday season!
A major accomplishment is the Head
Office renovation which is now
complete, and we are all benefiting
from our modern new facility.
6 News December 2014