IUOE News Fall 2013

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Business Manager all of these projects, and a strong program of skills training and employment opportunities will be the foundation for the success of these projects and the people who work on them. The changes to the TFW program brought about by the Local during our legal challenge with HD Mining are now starting to ripple through government, under close scrutiny by the media and public. The 15% wage differential, foreign language requirements, and accelerated application process were suspended shortly after the case ruling. On July 31, 2013, more broad amendments to the program were also formally adopted: TFW applicants now have to organizations that want you to work for third world wages, it is nice to see a success like the one IUOE Local 150 (Chicago) recently achieved; they stopped the state of Illinois from this anti-union attack on the basis of it being unconstitutional. Congratulations to Sixth Vice President, Brother Sweeney, for his success in this battle. At the end of August, the 55th Canadian Conference of the Operating Engineers was held in Nanaimo, British Columbia, at the Coast Bastion Hotel. It was 25 years ago since the last conference was held there, and IUOE Locals 115, 882, and 963 hosted delegates and representatives from across the apply and prove a more extensive search for Canadian labour before looking overseas to fill “The changes to the TFW program brought about by the Local during our country. General President James T. Callahan attended, along with positions; the application forms legal challenge with HD Mining are now several guest speakers who provid- and process has been revised to starting to ripple through government” ed information and direction on try and uncover unnecessary issues we need to be focused on, applications earlier; and a $275 processing fee (previously both today and in the years ahead. The conference was well- paid by taxpayers) will be applied to every application to help organized, enjoyable, and informative. Well done to everyone discourage the program’s abuse. involved. Although the Government still has more work to do in I would like to welcome aboard Brothers Bryan Railton protecting the interests of Canadians, our members are proud and Todd Jones who have been hired as staff organizers for of these achievements ,as Local 115 has helped shape Cana- the Local. With all of the work potential and non-union jobs da’s future for the better while protecting jobs for Operating currently going on, there is no better time to increase our Engineers. market share and I know they will both do an excellent job on Right to work legislation (otherwise known as anti-union behalf of our members. legislation) is still being promoted by the merit shops and To close, I would just like to say thank you for your support ultra-conservative political groups in the US and Canada. as we move the Local forward to meet the challenges of today, While labour is always under attack from these and plan for tomorrow. Local 115 delegates with General President James T. Callahan and General Secretary Brian Hickey at the 55th Canadian Conference in Nanaimo, recognizing past President Jack Whittaker’s 50 years of membership with his wife, Hazel, in front. 2 News October 2013
Training is key to meet the development demands of northern B.C. projects Wayne E. Mills, President Hello, and I hope the summer was enjoyable and safe. With the evenings getting dark earlier, remember to watch out for the kids; they don’t realize they can’t always be seen, while some drivers think their day time running lights are ok for use in the evening. Shandong Province Federation of Trade Unions In mid-August, I had the opportunity, through the B.C. Federation of Labour, to meet with a delegation of Trade Unionists from China. The representatives were from the 14th Congress of Shandong Provincial Trade Unions from Jinan, Shandong Province. The Shandong Province is about a third of the size of B.C., south of Beijing and north of Shanghai, on the East China Sea. The Chinese government mandates the Unions and as such, there are 22 million members in the Provincial Federation. We discussed a variety of topics, ranging from their provincial economy slowing to 9.6% last year (a problem we wish we had), to Occupational Health and Safety regulations and how they are enforced. This subject had their interpreter scrambling, as they seemed to get a little excited and all had something to say about it. We also talked about Chinese workers that travel abroad to find work in Canada—the Temporary Foreign Workers— regarding their growing numbers, as well as their treatment and compensation. Let’s say there was a ‘slight cultural difference’ between their view on TFWs and us on that one, but overall, it was an interesting and informative few hours, and definitely worth the exposure. The delegates kindly offered a reciprocal visit, but after the TFW court case, we will need to see if there is any value to our Local worth considering. Northern Work and growing membership Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to participate with a few of the other building trades representatives in meetings with the groups of owners for various LNG Terminals and the Natural Gas and Oil Pipelines that are working their way through the permitting process. There is a wide variety of ideas regarding what the Project Labour Agreements (PLA’s) should contain, while the owners’ main “Let’s just say that there was a ‘slight cultural difference’ between the Chinese’ view on TFWs and us” President’s Message issue is our ability to supply qualified operators that are ready, willing and capable of working in the north. This is an ongoing issue and one that is well covered in this issue. Work in the north will drive this province for the next few years; be it pipelines, LNG terminals, or mine. These industries will demand massive investment, and with that comes the repair and maintenance of the equipment needed to build, service, and operate the industries for decades to come. As the market expands, our contractors and shops will grow along with our membership. However, we must face the challenges of our baby-boomer workforce looking to retire, so we need to develop programs and campaigns that will identify and attract new members, to fill both the jobs that are available due to attrition, as well as an increased market. Following the Labour Day weekend, Brother Brad Randall (IUOE Local 115 Vice-president and Training Association Administrator) and I met with some of the major contractors in the north, from Prince George to Prince Rupert, to discuss what training or upgrading of skills is in demand, as well as where new members may be found. We ended up high- centered with the Rupert meetings and did not have time to get into Kitimat but that should happen later this fall. One group we are looking to for new members is the First Nations of our province; over 35 per cent of the First Nations people in B.C. are under 30. So, with the help of Brother Brian Pelletier (Aboriginal Coordinator from Local 793), Brother Randall and I were introduced to the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment & Training Association (PGNAETA), and also met with Executive Director Karin Hunt and a number of the Board Members to discuss training opportunities for this potential workforce. We also participated in the partners in trades’ forum, held by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) Aboriginal Initiatives and UA Local 170, where we met with a number of First Nation Training groups. Being at these forums are great for gaining valuable exposure, as we need to let people know who Local 115 is and what we do. To get a better ‘inside track’ into the proceedings, IUOE Local 793’s Business Manager Mike Gallagher sent Brother Brian Pelletier to assist us in connecting with the right people; many thanks for this assistance. Barring another world economic meltdown, when (not if) our unionized contractors start picking up the work on the pipelines, LNG terminals, mines and the utilities needed to support these jobs, we need to be ready with trained people who are ready willing and able to work in the North. In closing, I hope you have a safe and productive fall, and remember, someone wants you to get home safely. News October 2013 3
Page 1 and 2: News Getting ready for BC’s megap
Page 3: Positive negotiations are taking pl
Page 7 and 8: Kamloops’ new dialysis clinic has
Page 9 and 10: This has been a busy year for our m
Page 11 and 12: Challenges from all sides, but our
Page 13 and 14: Skilled operators are still needed
Page 15 and 16: Operators are in demand, and certif
Page 17 and 18: not only for future projects, but r
Page 19 and 20: Hazelwood and Chew. We have also ta
Page 21 and 22: The District 4 work picture has cha
Page 23 and 24: Megaprojects start to gather steam
Page 25 and 26: Bargaining becomes a priority as th
Page 27 and 28: BC LIONS VS. CALgArY STAMPEDErS Thi
Page 29 and 30: Clockwise from right: The main conf
Page 31 and 32: Training takes centre stage at even
Page 33 and 34: Training Classes and Updates Brothe
Page 35 and 36: Training Association News October 2
Page 37 and 38: construction,” he says. “Then I
Page 39 and 40: As an interesting coincidence, one
Page 41 and 42: 50 yEAR MEMBERS Member Recognition
Page 43 and 44: 30 yEAR MEMBERS 20 yEAR MEMBERS Mem
Page 45 and 46: Pensions awarded May 2013 - Septemb
Page 47 and 48: Local Union Offices District 1 and

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