IUOE News Fall 2013

construction,” he says. “Then I inherited
the Line Creek mine when the
workers joined the union. I didn’t know
much about mining. But I managed.”
Mayer continued to service projects
throughout the Kootenay-Columbia
region, including the expansion of the
Rogers Pass tunnel in 1984 and 1985,
until his retirement in 1995.
While overall Mayer is proud and
satisfied with his 32-year career, he
does have one regret: the slow uptake
by the construction trades to respond
to the anti-union legislation and developments
in the 1980s.
Mayer specifically remembers
actions directed against workers in the
construction sector, in particular the
introduction of illegitimate front
groups posing as unions.
“I was still in the industry when we
got hit with things like CLAC,” he says,
adding it was a strategic but unforseeable
error for all building trades not to
be more aggressive in organizing and
educating construction workers against
these developments.
“Hindsight is always 20-20. In retrospect,
we should have taken it more
seriously. At first we thought it was just
a flash-in-the-pan.”
Mayer says that the best way to
combat anti-union attacks is to focus
on organizing and getting members
“Then I inherited the Line
Creek mine when the
workers joined the union. I
didn’t know much about
mining. But I managed.”
interested in talking to one another.
“Membership meetings also used to
be a lot more social,” he says.
“There isn’t the interest there used
to be 20 or 30 years ago. Then, people
would drive for an hour to go to a
meeting. Now they won’t cross the
street for one.”
He says there needs to be more
Send us your photos!
Tips
Outdoor, action shots are always best, but group shots of your crew are great
too. Watch for the flare that can be reflected on safety vests. Also, look out for
hard hats that can throw harsh shadows on faces. Try get an IUOE logo in there!
With group photos, have people arranged in a semi-circle rather than a straight
line. To avoid harsh shadows, move them a step or two away from back walls.
Member Profile
discussion about the huge advantages
of collective action among people, over
the “I don’t need anybody” attitude. He
adds he raised an entire family, put kids
through university, and saved for a
secure retirement thanks to his union
involvement.
“The guys with the ‘I want money in
my hand... I don’t need anybody’ idea
have been proven wrong enough.”
Although he has a wealth of fond
memories from over three decades
working in construction and actively
supporting and being involved with
Local 115, Mayer concludes that “for
the last 18 years, I have had the best job
possible: retirement.
“My wife and I travel a lot, and
spend time with the kids and grandkids.”
He also visits his OE colleagues
from time to time. “One of the old guys
who sponsored me is still around!”
And, in case you needed to ask,
Kasper Mayer still lives in his home
town of Cranbrook.
The OE News is looking for any photos you can share! Show off your skills, workplace,
and colleagues - your photo could land up in our publication and win you a prize!
Digital images
• Please use the highest quality settings on your camera when taking photos.
• You can easily upload images at: www.iuoe115.com/media/submit or email them to media@iuoe115.com (if under 5mb)
• You could also send CDs or USB drives of photos to our office address. We’ll make sure to get them back to you on request.
• Always include the location, date, name of person(s) in the photo, and a description of what is taking place.
Printed photos
If you have printed photos, please send them to:
Kevin Willemse, Communications Coordinator, IUOE Local 115
4333 Ledger Avenue, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 3T3.
News October 2013 35