IUOE News February 2015

Members need to
voice our concerns
to government
Curtis Harold,
Business Representative
I am pleased to see the membership and am looking forward
to another year of success. Even though last year was busy, a
lot of smaller contracts did not make the approved list and we
are hopeful more ministry contracts will come to light this
year. Still our contractors are gearing up and trying to keep
momentum with the success over the past couple of years.
At the time of release of this article, the
John Hart Generating Station project is
going underground. The surface blasting
is completed at the south portal and the
drilling/underground blasting has
commenced. In spring the focus will be
on tunneling and underground cavern
excavation.
A facility, which is near completion, is currently being
installed to accommodate the maintenance equipment and
storage. Tree clearing has commenced to allow for a new
bridge near the intake as the current bridge capacity is under
what is required. I will keep you posted at the District meetings
of the progress.
The membership at Upland Contracting has ratified their
new agreement. It will be another prosperous year for this
region with additional work on the generating station, water
line for Campbell River and upcoming contracts for the City.
As discussed at Black Creek and all District meetings, organizing
is a requirement of all members. With a significant
District Two
increase in non-union contractors moving into the area, all
local members need to play a part in organizing.
This is why the need to act is now, “The greater the number
of members the greater the voice of the membership.”
I put the challenge out to the membership on Vancouver
Island to really think about who they know working in other
Companies, and educate them about the benefits we have
been able to achieve. While I speak to the specific area this is
an initiative for all Local 115 members.
The membership at Hazelwood Construction have ratified
their new Collective Agreement and are still working at the
Toba Inlet Hydro project. Hazelwood will be aggressively
bidding on other work as the year progresses.
Chew Excavating has secured more work in the Southern
part of the Island working with B.C. Hydro, Telus, Royal Bay
expansion and subdivisions. Shops have maintained steady
throughout the winter and should be
back to full swing in the spring.
The Crane Rental industry is
remaining steady. Currently we are
finishing up collective bargaining
from last year, and looking forward to
getting out to the crews to thank them
for their support along the way.
I encourage the membership to lobby your local MP and
MLA about what matters to you and your Brothers and Sisters.
We have the Site “C” dam project around the corner and no
guarantee that it will be under a PLA or Allied Hydro
Agreement.
It does not matter who you are, everybody should be under
the same terms and conditions to promote equality. We have
the membership that can build this project and collectively we
need to voice our concerns.
Let’s make this year one to remember. Please work safe out
there, see you in the field!
With a significant increase in
non-union contractors moving
into the area, all local
members need to play a part
in organizing.
BA Blacktop Plant crew: From left to right,
Brothers Phoenix Logan-Hill, Derek Lowen,
Ben Yuill, Chase Reiger and Guy Gauthier.
News March 2015 15