International Operating Engineer - Fall 2019

GEB Minutes
March 28, 2019
subcontracting language
in collective bargaining
agreements with various
utilities throughout the
country. Brother George
also reported on multiple
disputes currently under the
National Pipeline Agreement
over the operation of
mechanical sweepers with
the teamsters. Brother
George reported that
discussions are taking place
to address those ongoing
disputes with the IBT. Lastly,
he reported that disputes had
increased over the operation
of Valla type cranes and
Spyder cranes being used
by iron workers and painters
installing curtain walls and
window panels.
Case No. 12
Construction Training
Department Report
Director of Construction
Training Christopher
Treml gave an overview of
classes that will be available
through the department
in 2019, including both
Trainer courses as well as
courses for the General
Membership. Director
Treml reported there were
110 scheduled Hoisting and
Portable training events
to date with more being
scheduled almost weekly.
He also mentioned that
the Hoisting and Portable
Training Conference had
been scheduled for July 16-
18 at the ITEC in Crosby, TX.
Director Treml again
reported on the new crane
rule by issued by OSHA that
went into effect November
10, 2018. Director Treml
reported to the board that
a team of subject matter
experts drafted an operator
evaluation sheet that can be
used by the employers. He
reported that this form can
be made available to the
training funds by contacting
Director Treml. He reported
that the operator evaluation
period goes into full effect
April 15, 2019.
Director Treml reported
to the Board that Leica
Geosytems wants to become
an industry partner with the
IUOE by providing many
components from their
product line to the ITEC.
Director Treml reported that
Leica is willing to offer Train
the Trainer classes at the
ITEC for IUOE instructors.
Director Treml also report
on a new addition to the
simulator room at the ITEC.
He reported that CM Labs
will be installing another
lattice boom crane simulator
which will be connected to
the existing one. Director
Treml reported that this will
allow instructors to simulate
two-crane lifts during
membership crane training
classes.
Director Treml reported on
mechanics training classes
and that Caterpillar has
donated two diesel engines
to the ITEC for these classes.
Director Treml reported
that the two-year lease for
the John Deere equipment
through the National
Training Fund will be
coming to an end. Director
Treml reported that as in
the past these pieces will be
made available to the local
union training programs for
purchase.
Case No. 13
Stationary Department
Report
Director of Stationary
Development Mark Maierle
reported to the General
Executive Board that the
stationary department is
following the approved
strategic action plan to
methodically build the
capacity of the department.
Director Maierle reported
that a Stationary Steering
Committee consisting
of officer level business
managers from stationary
and mixed locals has been
formed, and this committee
met prior to the General
Executive Board Meeting
and affirmed the direction
and tactical decisions of the
stationary team.
Director Maierle reported
he is working closely with
other IUOE departments
on priority initiatives. He
reported on numerous
collaborative efforts
underway as important
for future success of the
department and local
unions.
Director Maierle reported on
priorities for the stationary
team including enhancing
stationary training at the
International Training
Center. Director Maierle
reported on the stationary
training symposium held
in early March at the
International Training
Center. Director Maierle
reported this event was
attended by training
directors and others from
twenty stationary and mixed
locals. He reported that
the attendees discussed
concerns and identified key
areas for improvement. He
reported that a Stationary
Training Advisory Council
is being established and
that significant data and
information gleaned from
the symposium will guide
the Advisory Council and the
stationary team.
Director Maierle reported
on outreach work with
Local 148. Director Maierle
worked with North Central
Organizing Director Matt
Darnell and his team to focus
Local 148 on organizing.
Director Maierle reported he
provided internal organizing
training to staff and officers,
and that coordinated efforts
between Director Maierle
and Matt Darnell are
continuing.
Director Maierle reported
that the stationary team is
gathering data that is needed
to run the department, and
to more effectively develop
and direct resources to Local
Unions.
Case No. 14
Northeast Region Report
Northeast Regional Director
Alan Pero reported to the
General Executive Board
with an update on the
employment status of the
membership in the Region
to the General Executive
Board noting the Region
will continue to experience
an increase in employment
opportunity during the
forthcoming work season.
Director Pero reported on
the recent Service Contract
Act workshop hosted by
Local 95 in Pittsburgh.
He thanked the General
President, the Local Union
for hosting the event, North-
Central Director Todd Smart
and North-Central Director
of Organizing Matt Darnell.
Brother Pero reported that
the workshop provided
in-depth review of the
McNamara-O’Hara Service
Contract Act including
enforcement of collective
bargaining agreements,
organizing under the act
and a broad overview
of opportunities in the
Northeast Region. Director
Pero thanked the Business
Managers of the 12 locals
who sent representatives to
participate in the workshop
along with the Special
Projects and Initiatives
Department for their
informative presentations.
Director Pero reported to
the Board on his regional
office’s recent participation
in negotiating Local 25’s
master collective bargaining
agreement. He thanked
International Representative
John Stevens who joined
the Local 25 administration
and the Director in holding
eighteen ratification
meetings along the East
Coast. Director Pero reported
to the General Executive
Board on the membership’s
approval of the agreement.
Director Pero reported
that Ferreira Construction
continues to gain market
share in plastic fusion work
as a result of the support the
Company has received from
IUOE Local 4. He reported
that the Company has
secured a five-year contract
with Summit Natural Gas
in Maine. The Director
thanked Business Manager
William McLaughlin along
with Business Agent Robert
Burr for their continued
assistance in expanding
Local 4’s market share.
Director Pero reported on
the forthcoming election
cycle in the Northeast noting
fourteen of the Local Unions
in the Northeast will be
holding nominations in the
next few months.
Director Pero provided
reported with an update
of the Regional Staff’s
presentations on the
International Training
Registration System. Brother
Pero reported that the Staff
has been to many Local
Union membership meetings
throughout the Region
providing an overview of the
new International Training
& Conference Center in
Crosby, Texas. The Director
thanked his staff for their
dedication.
Director Pero reported to
the Board he recently hand
delivered and presented to
the membership of Local
Union 463 a directive on
behalf of General President
Callahan. The directive
informed the membership
effective May 1 the Local
Union would be merged into
Local Union 17.
A summary of the relevant
information that was
utilized and relied upon
by the General President
in issuing the directive
was then provided to the
General Executive Board.
General Counsel Powers
advised the Board that they
would need to approve this
merger in accordance with
the relevant provisions of
Article VI, Section 4 of the
International Constitution.
Accordingly, a motion was
then made, seconded, and
unanimously adopted to
approve the decision of the
General President to merge
Local 463 into Local 17,
with the effective date of the
merger to be determined by
the General President.
Case No. 15
Canadian Region Report
Canadian Regional Director
Lionel Railton reported to
the General Executive Board
with an update on current
national developments
within the Region, starting
with Federal political scene
and the ongoing SNC
Lavalin scandal, which
has seen the expulsion
of two Cabinet Ministers,
from the Liberal caucus.
Director Railton reported
that the SNC affair is having
a major impact on Liberals
popularity and has given the
opposition parties plenty
of opportunity to take shots
at the current government.
Director Railton reported
that on a positive note the
Federal budget provided
many labour friendly
provisions, including
enhanced apprenticeship
and training supports,
increased infrastructure
spending,
national
pharmacare framework
and the re-establishment
of Employment Insurance
appeal tribunals. He reported
that the IUOE and the
Canadian Building Trades
are actively supporting a
private members bill - C
344 Community Benefits
Agreement for Federal
Infrastructure Projects.
Director Railton reported
on the retirement of Robert
Blakely as CEO of the
Canadian Building Trades
Union (hereinafter CBTU)
and the appointment of
Arlene Dunn to the position.
He reported that CBTU’s
annual legislative conference
is scheduled for April 28th
to May 3rd in Ottawa,
Ontario, and will feature
Prime Minister Trudeau and
Labour Minister Patty Hadju
among the keynote speakers.
He reported 2019 is the 100th
Anniversary of the Winnipeg
General Strike and the IUOE
is a major sponsor of the May
15th gala event.
Director Railton reported
with Local Union updates
starting with Local 793,
which is celebrating the
Local’s 100th anniversary
with a number of events
which included the St.
Patrick’s Parade in Toronto.
Brother Railton reported
that General President
Callahan joined 497 Local
793 Members to march in
the parade, and General
Vice-President and Business
Manager Mike Gallagher
served as the parade’s
General Marshall, a very
proud moment for the Local.
Brother Railton reported that
Local 793 has successfully
negotiated a first collective
agreement with Baffinland
Iron Mine, a new 900
employee bargaining unit
employed at the Mary River
mine site on Baffin Island
in northern Canada. He
reported that ratification
votes will be conducted over
a twenty-one-day period
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FALL 2019
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