IUOE News February 2015

District Three
Take this time to
focus on union
density and work
share for future
Brad Gerow, Business Representative
Bryan Railton, Organizer
Gerow
2015 is upon us and so far this year is shaping up to be similar
to the last. However, membership engagement and bargaining
have created a busy start.
Construction for the wider Highway 1 through to Alberta
will continue this year, with 672462 BC Ltd. planning to finish
their phase by the end of this year. Emil Anderson Construction
was the successful bid for the next phase (Hoffman’s Bluff
Phase 2) which will be starting in April, with an expected
completion of two years.
There is also a sizable project that will see Highway 97 from
Edwards Road to Highway 33 widened in Kelowna, projected
to start as well. We are waiting to
see what the Ministry of Highways
will put out for the rest of the year.
The City of Kamloops has a
couple of larger projects planned,
including working on Columbia
Street and the Overlander Bridge.
They will be adding turn lanes and planning for more efficient
traffic flow through the downtown core on Columbia Street
from 2nd Avenue to 6th Avenue. After completing inspections,
they have also decided to do a much needed overhaul
on the Overlander Bridge.
Bargaining is ongoing and keeping us busy, including the
bargaining for the Interior Addendum
to the Road Building, RJames
Western Star (Kamloops and
Kelowna), Premium Truck and
Trailer (Kelowna), Cummins, Wajax,
and 672462 BC Ltd.
With the work picture for this year
lining up to look similar to the last,
slow pick up on major projects and
large layoffs in Alberta, we have
some serious obstacles ahead.
Last year saw the creation of some new initiatives which
Railton
Our ability to connect and
create relationships is how
we can begin reasserting
our bargaining strength.
are focused on engaging membership and will continue to
have an impact in 2015. We will be working on educating,
involving and activating the membership, which will in
turn assist your Local in being successful in District 3.
Ultimately, membership is where your Union’s strength
lies and our ability to connect and create relationships is
how we can begin reasserting our bargaining strength. This
means creating more Shop Stewards and a strong membership
base to establish a more desirable environment in the
sectors we work in.
We must turn our focus to Union density
and work share so that the Operating Engineers
can establish themselves in this “calm
before the storm” scenario.
We want to thank the members who are
already involved and challenge the rest of the
membership to take a moment to learn a little
more. Attending your next district meeting is a start, but
we are also planning different events where membership
involvement is always welcome. Do not hesitate to contact
us to learn more.
Through membership we will be successful, let’s make
2015 a year to remember!
Richard Salle Contracting
equipment resting for the
winter at Orchards Walk
project in Kamloops.
16 News March 2015