IUOE News Fall 2013

District One
Here comes the endof-season
push
Bob Higgs,
Member Representative
Overall the work picture is steady. It seems as if everyone is
trying to get the work finished before the bad weather sets in,
creating a push to complete projects.
This may be a challenge for some contractors, since I have
noticed (as was the case for most of the year) many crews are
working with one, and sometimes two men short. In light of
this, it looks like the skilled worker shortage everyone seems
to be talking about is gaining steam.
With the wrap-up of the Highway 1
and South Perimeter road we should be
seeing a number of workers becoming
available within a year or two. By that
time there should hopefully be good
news surrounding some of the major projects our province’s
leaders announced during the last election.
Time will tell which ones will be let, and who knows, with
some careful planning, they may start just as the other projects
end and the worker supply is a bit less strained.
This is not a new concern for us. For the last two years the
many projects in the lower mainland have been demanding
more workers than could be supplied, creating pressure on
skilled labour supply across the entire region. Now it looks
like the projects in north and northwest B.C. are going to be
draining our ranks even further. Work in these regions looks
like it will be attracting skilled workers for many years to
come.
“For the last two years, projects
in the Lower Mainland have
demanded more workers than
could be supplied”
Blasting operations at Mainland Sand and Gravel’s Jamieson Quarry on Abbotsford’s Sumas Mountain.
8 News October 2013
As a journeyman on the job you will more than likely be
seeing a lot more trainees as well as apprentices joining your
team. These men and women are hoping to learn most of their
trades skills from you, and are being massively promoted by
government action plans and trades training associations as
the saviour to B.C.’s impending skilled worker shortage issue.
We need to be patient when dealing with these apprentices
and trainees, and we also need to be clear when giving our
instructions. Remember that the knowledge and understanding
you have of your trade came with years of experience, and
that they have just started out, so be sure to explain yourself in
a way that they can learn from and help you. The one thing I
hear more than any other is “I thought he said…”
Make sure a new worker understands what it is he or she is
being asked to do, and if you are a new worker, you must
ensure you know exactly what it is you’re being asked to do
before proceeding. Not doing so will not only create an unpro-
ductive working relationship and
environment, but an unsafe one too.
With all the work being done in the
province, the Operating Engineers have
been growing at an incredible rate, with
a large number of workers looking to us
as their source for stable, well-paying jobs. This is an excellent
sign for our current situation and future.
Just a reminder to all members old and new; if you get mail
from us, it is most assuredly important; we would not send
you something for the fun of it. Many members have missed
out on great opportunities because the correspondence from
us was never opened.
Similarly, if you receive something you don’t understand or
want further information on, please don’t hesitate to give us a
call. So again, if you receive something in the mail from the
Operating Engineers it is in your best interest to not only open
it but to respond to it as well.
Have a great fall season and remember to work safe.