THE MAGAZINE OF THE Winter 2019 BC BUILDING TRADES Vol. 22 no. 4
tradet aWlE BkUILD BC ™
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40848506
Many hours of work on the upgrades at YVR
PUBLISHED BY THE BC B UILDING TRADES
EDITOR Tom Sigurdson WINTER 2019 EDITORIAL SERVICES tradet alk Face to Face Communications the magazine of the bC building trades Canadian Freelance Union
DESIGN /P HOTOGRAPHY Joshua Berson PhotoGraphics Ltd. UFCW 1518 UNIFOR LOCAL 780G Contents
ADVERTISING Shane Dyson 4 Court agrees with three of four arguments Canadian Freelance Union CBA court challenge update Claudia Ferris 7 A nice fit with carpenter union's goals UNIFOR LOCAL 780G YVR's 20-year plan
Tradetalk Magazine is published four times 12 How the Building Trades secured work on the TMX a year by the BC BUILDING TRADES Rarely seen/behind the scenes #207 88 10th St. New Westminster, B.C. V3M 6H8 15 Labour lawyer, activist to take reins of BC Building Trades 778-397-2220 Andrew Mercier [email protected] www.bcbuildingtrades.org 16 Trailblazers gather in Minneapolis All rights reserved. Material published may be Build TogetHER reprinted providing permission is granted and 19 Results not bad and could have been much worse credit is given. Views expressed are those of the authors. No statements in the magazine express Federal election analysis the policies of the BC BUILDING TRADES , except where indica ted. 20 Eager young people want to get into the unionized trades Trades Opportunity Group Job Fair The council represents 25 local unions belonging to 13 international unions. 22 Certification takes concrete pumping to new level There are approximately 35,000 unionized New training and certification construction workers in B.C. 23 Advice and mentorship to boost completion rates Winter 2019 Apprenticeship advisors ISSN 1480-5421 26 Business community doesn't understand who creates value Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press Reprehensible behaviour Base Subscription Rate –– $24 Cdn. per year in Canada and the U.S. 28 Running away from problems doesn't count as cardio! For subscriptions outside Canada and the Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan U.S.––$32 Cdn. per year. 29 Vancity grant helps newcomers to the trades and green technol ogy Guest article Publications Mail Agreement No. 40848506 30 Hotel workers' struggles confront many workers Return undeliverable Union solidarity Canadian addresses to: #207 88 10th St. Cover : Carpenter New Westminster, B.C. V3M 6H8 apprentices Barbara James, Julian Layco and Jelissa Soledad are receiving full-scope trades training while working on the upgrades at YVR.
Phil Venoit, President; Electrical Workers Tony Santavenere, Vice President Teamsters Hamish Stewart, Secretary-Treasurer, BCRC Carpenters Photo: Joshua Berson Geoff Higginson, Bricklayers & Allied Trades Roy Bizzutto, Cement Masons Neil Munro, Insulators Dan Jajic, IUPAT District Council 38 Doug Parton, Ironworkers Nav Malhotra, Labourers Miro Maras, Millwrights Brian Cochrane, Operating Engineers Darrell Hawk, Pile Drivers Al Phillips, Plumbers and Pipefitters Jim Paquette, Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Jim Pearson, UNITE HERE Tradetalk is printed on Forest Stewardship Council ® Tom Sigurdson, Executive Director certified paper from responsible sources. The FSC ® is an independent, not-for-profit organization promoting responsible management of the world's forests.
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 3 Starting Point
CBA court challenge update Court agrees with three of four arguments The non-union/anti-union/quasi- union construction sector, upset about the Community Benefits Agreement program, challenged the provincial NDP government in BC Supreme Court last spring. Well-known corporate lawyer Peter Gall is representing 15 groups and indi - viduals, including the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association and the Christian Labour Association of Canada. The BC Building Trades (and the Allied Infrastructure and Related Construction Council-AIRCC) are rep - resented by Charles Gordon. “There were four discreet aspects and we suc - ceeded on three of the four,” he said. The case went to court in May and Union solidarity for workers on the Gordon argued that the BCBT and picket line at Ledcor Technical Services AIRCC should be named as respon - in Port Coquitlam —The members of the dents along with the provincial govern - International Brotherhood of Electrical ment. “They are clearly impacted,” he Workers, who have been fighting for a said. “They are definitely interested collective agreement for two years, were parties and there is an obvious clear joined by members of UA Canada, interest in the outcome.” The decision LiUNA 1611, Cement Masons Local 919, came down in July and the court BC Insulators and Scabby the Rat agreed. (donated by IUOE Local 115) in In addition, Gordon argued that the October. A few days later, workers issues being raised by Gall are a matter rallied and marched from Canada Place for the BC Labour Relations Board and to Ledcor's office on West Hastings. that the BC Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction to hear the case at all. The court agreed with this, too. Gordon said Gall also tried to chal - “They're claiming that it (CBAs) are is what the CBA is, and the court lenge CBAs on charter grounds unrelated to policy objectives. (But) should not intervene in a policy deci - because people are required to join there are clear and compelling reasons sion of the government.” Building Trades unions to work on for the government to implement these infrastructure projects. “But the them...We feel court accepted our arguments” disput - confident in ing this position. our position, However, the court found one that there aspect that could proceed, he added. were good That was the opponents' claim that policy reasons CBAs are payback by the government for the govern - to the BC Building Trades for its sup - ment to port during the last provincial election. choose the “That part of it is continuing,” said project labour Gordon, “and will be addressed during agreement the week of Feb. 3 (2020). model, which
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4 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 From the editor tom sigurdson Tradetalk editor retires A time to reflect
Thank you! Thank you for giving me provincial governments for very neces - Trades have remained steadfast. Under the honour of being your executive sary infrastructure projects, which trans - the leadership of presidents Don McGill director for the past number of years. I lated into more work for construction (Teamsters), Charlie Peck (IBEW), Gary was first hired into the position in 1997 workers. Kroeker (IUOE), Lee Loftus (Insulators), and left in 2003 to work in Ottawa as In 2017, the BC NDP resumed gov - Dave Holmes (DC 38) and Phil Venoit the director of political and legislative ernment and immediately got to work (IBEW), the council has had a charted affairs for Canada’s Building Trades on Community Benefits Agreement pro - course of action. We have focused on Unions. I returned as the BC Building jects. The NDP recognized the need for what we do best: supply the best skilled Trades executive director in 2011 and more training and apprenticeship oppor - workers to the project to get the job have been in that role since. As this is the tunities and have designated a number of done right the first time. The legacy we last editorial I will write, it is time for projects where contractors will have to leave when the job is done is more than reflection. provide for more apprentice hires, more structural: it is the skillsets we provide Over the course of those years, we women on the tools and better the apprentice, it is the economic activity have been witness to some very signifi - Indigenous inclusion. We have been pro - we help generate in the communities cant changes that have impacted the BC moting all of those components for where we work and where we live, it is Building Trades. In 1997, the NDP had years. For too long our lobbying efforts the lives we make better because we just been re-elected (1996) with Glen were completely ignored by the add value for individuals, the communi - Clark as premier. The Island Highway was Campbell and Clark Liberals. Premier ties and the country. under construction as a PLA; the John Horgan and the NDP have listened For those of you who work the tools, Millennium SkyTrain was negotiated and responded with the full recognition I have had the honour to speak of your under the conditions of the Island that if we don’t bring more people into skills and the benefits you bring to the Highway agreement; BC Hydro work the construction trades, the skilled job every day. I have told your stories was still being done under the decades- trades shortage will impact future eco - when speaking with politicians and indus - old Allied Hydro Agreement. While not nomic investment and our provincial try leaders. I have been proud and hon - all public work was being done under a economy as a whole. oured to represent you. We have pro - PLA, our relationship with the Clark gov - Over the course of all the political jects aplenty over the coming years so ernment was generally positive. turmoil, the directors of the BC Building let’s do what we do best: We Build B.C. In 2001, the BC Liberals led by Gordon Campbell, were elected and almost immediately the Building Trades were in the crosshairs of the govern - the building trades—Who we are ment. Campbell and his cohorts got rid of all compulsory certification for trades, Phone Web address making B.C. the only province without BC Building Trades 778-397-2220 www.bcbuildingtrades.org them. They eviscerated the apprentice - affiliated unions ship system, which in no small part con - BC Regional Council of Carpenters 250-383-8116 bcrcc.ca tributes to the skills shortage we experi - Floorlayers Local 1541 604-524-6900 bcrcc.ca ence today. The amendments to the Millwrights Local 2736 604-525-2736 millwrights2736.com Labour Code and subsequent Labour Piledrivers Local 2404 604-526-2404 piledrivers2404.ca Relations Board appointments all but Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2 604-584-2021 bac2bc.org assured union density in the construction Cement Masons & Plasterers Local 919 604-585-9198 opcmia919.org industry would be drastically reduced Construction & Specialized Workers Local 1611 604-541-1611 cswu1611.org (and the bastards were correct). Electrical Workers Local 213 (L. Mainland) 604-571-6500 ibew213.org At the federal level, the federal Liberals were government until 2006 Electrical Workers Local 230 (V. Island) 250-388-7374 ibew230.org when Stephen Harper and his Electrical Workers Local 1003 (Nelson) 250-354-4177 ibew1003.org Conservatives were elected. Over the Electrical Workers Local 993 (Kamloops) 250-376-8755 ibew993.org course of the Harper administration the Insulators Local 118 604-877-0909 insulators118.org Building Trades, as well as all unions in IUPAT District Council 38 604-524-8334 dc38.ca Canada, were targets. Bills C-377 and C- Ironworkers Local 97 604-879-4191 ironworkerslocal97.com 525 took direct aim at the work of Operating Engineers Local 115 604-291-8831 iuoe115.ca unions in Canada and had those bills sur - Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 170 604-526-0441 plumbers.bc.ca vived, union density in our country Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 324 250-382-0415 ualocal324.com would have suffered continued erosion. Refrigeration Workers Local 516 604-882-8212 ua516.org The federal Liberals got rid of those Sheet Metal, Roofers and bills in 2015 and, even better, began to Production Workers Local 280 (Vancouver) 604-430-3388 smw280.org work with the unionized sector to pro - Sheet Metal, Roofers and mote skilled-trades apprenticeships Production Workers Local 276 (Victoria) 250-727-3458 smwia276.ca through a number of programs beneficial Teamsters Local 213 604-876-5213 teamsters213.org to our training centres. The federal gov - UNITE HERE Local 40 604-291-8211 uniteherelocal40.org ernment forged new partnerships with
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 5 CANADA’S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS THANK TOM SIGURDSON FOR HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE BUILDING TRADES *(®. ./ ( - -# . - .0'/ $).$")$!$ )/./-$ .!*-*0- $) 0./-4 ) ( ( -.#$+¤/# 1 )/ " . *!2#$ #2 2$''- +!*-( )44 -./* *( £*(®.2*-& -*0) *((0)$/4 ) !$/.$.0)+- )/ £ # . -1 *0/.+ !*-2*( )$)/# /- .¤ ) $" )*0.+ *+' . ) 4*0/#£*(# . !*0"#/!*-/# )*) . ./*. ) # . '2 4. )/# - /*' ) #$. 3+ -/$. *) /# +*'$/$ '' ) . + ) ( // -.*! $(+*-/ ) /**0-$) 0./-4£) # '!*! *0-*1 -# '! ($''$*)( ( -.¤2 /# )& #$(!*-#$. *)/-$ 0/$*)./**0-$) 0./-4¤ $ /$*)/**0-( ( -.#$+ ) !*- ' 1$)" +-*0 ' " 4/# /2$''+*.$/$1 '4 $(+ //# ) 3/" ) - /$*)*!.&$'' /- .2*-& -.£ 2$.#4*0 '*)" ) # '/#4- /$- ( )/*( ) (0 # .0 ..2$/# ''*!4*0-!0/0- ) 1*0-.£ 2$''($..4*0£
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6 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 YVR's 20-year plan: A nice fit with carpenter union's goals
Articles by David Hogben Victor Gillard and Lynn Michaels working on a form wall in the parking lot structure Photos by Joshua Berson at Vancouver International Airport. A constant stream of passenger jets took off and landed on nearby runways for the airport terminal. The 16 MW Council of Carpenters representative as carpenters and apprentices set rein - system is designed to help achieve Kristine Byers. forcing rebar into place high atop the YVR’s greenhouse gas emission The relatively high number of female walls of the Vancouver International reduction targets. workers on the EllisDon YVR job is Airport’s central utilities building The new six-storey parkade will part of the B.C. Regional Council of (CUB) construction project. This pro - connect to the existing parkade. It will Carpenters’ 2017 commitment to dou - ject (alongside the new six-storey have more than 2,100 parking stalls ble its female membership by 2023. parkade, which is under way on the and about 665 car-rental stalls. About “In 2017, three per cent of our same work site) is part of YVR’s $9.1 10 per cent of parking stalls will have membership were female and today we billion 20-year expansion program. electric vehicle charging stations. An have 4.5 per cent, Byers said. She said EllisDon workers and heavy equip - automated parking guidance system the BCRCC is working together to ment moved about the complex pro - will guide drivers to vacant parking increase job-site diversity by using the ject that will house the airport’s heat - spots and reduce vehicle emissions. natural diversity that exists in local ing, cooling and electrical equipment Even more remarkable than the communities. above one of Canada’s largest “closed-loop” geothermal heating and “The BC Regional Council of GeoExchange systems. Construction is cooling system-that will require no Carpenters has been doing community expected to be completed in 2021. additional water to be pumped in or outreach throughout the province with “We are really trying to build a great out and that will help YVR meet its various organizations including team of carpenters here, keep them greenhouse gas emission reduction tar - ACCESS, Open Door Group, and under our wing,” EllisDon assistant gets-are how apprenticeship training other WorkBC initiatives such as superintendent Benjamin Quintin on the project is transforming lives of CAVE and PLEA Community Services,” explained. “We have got a lot of car - a diverse group of young British Byers said. “This summer the BCRCC penters here who have worked for Columbians. participated in several intro-to-trade EllisDon for 30 or 40 years. They don’t “Currently, EllisDon’s crew of car - courses at the United Brotherhood of have to hop from job to job.” penters is made up of over eight per Carpenters’ Training Centre in Delta, in The CUB will sit atop a field of a cent women. This is double our council collaboration with other building thousand 500-foot deep wells that will average and nearly doubles the national trades unions.” tap into the earth’s internal heat to average for women working in con - provide heating and cooling support struction trades,” said B.C. Regional Continued on following page
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 7 YVR continued from previous page
BC Building Trades affiliates on site at YVR
• BCRC of Carpenters Local 1907 • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 213 • Ironworkers Local 97 • LiUNA Local 1611 • Operating Engineers Local 115 • Pile Drivers Local 2404 • Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 170 General contractor EllisDon is encouraging subcontractors to engage with the Musqueam Nations and other local First Nation groups and hire from traditionally under-represented groups. As a result there are a large proportion of young workers, women, Indigenous people and international workers who are applying for permanent residency.
Jelissa Soledad On the tools and always learning
Jelissa Soledad had been working Journeyperson carpenters can for EllisDon on the YVR project for earn more than $100,000 a year two months. “It’s my first real con - working on a project like the YVR struction job.” Central Utilities Building project Soledad was working as an events without even leaving town, but that planner when she decided she want - is not what is most important. ed something different in life. She “To be honest, money isn’t the said she has been interested in car - biggest thing for me. It is job satisfac - pentry since high school, but with it tion and constantly being able to so dominated by men, she never learn something new.” pursued it as a career. Soledad said the company and the “As I grew older I realized I union both support women on the should do what I love, do what I job. want to do. Who cares what other “I know there are a lot of women people think?” out there who like working with Soledad’s next step was the B.C. their hands. They like to get dirty. Women in Trades program. “I got the They like to do things that the guys support, because I joined the do, but they are a little bit worried Women in Trades program. We were that they won’t be able to do it. I taught how to safely use tools and had a lot of those thoughts, but I get familiar with everything.” just got into and there is a lot of They even received tool belts and support,” she said. safety shoes. A lot of that support comes from Soledad is focused on learning her the growing numbers of women on trade, getting her ticket and continu - the job site. ing to learn. “We have some really talented “EllisDon is a really great compa - journeywomen in the trades. There ny. They support education and it is so much support coming from would be really great to grow with everywhere. There is nothing to fear; them.” you should just go for it.”
8 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 Julian Layco Large construction project provides another view of the trade
Julian Layco, a first-year car - creating a lot of great rela - pentry apprentice, left a job tionships with the whole doing maintenance for the crew.” Vancouver School Board to Some days are intense, like work for EllisDon. when a large concrete pour is The VSB job was good, but underway, and when there are there was little opportunity frustrations you must remain to learn and to advance. positive and focused. “You “It was a bit repetitive. It keep your mind on the task wasn’t really challenging for and keep going,” he said. me,” Layco said. “I do like to Layco is learning as much challenge myself every day.” as he can on the YVR job and For Layco, carpentry was a is still uncertain what type of natural choice. carpentry he would like to “I wanted to follow in my concentrate on in the future. dad’s footsteps,” he explained. When he discusses his future His father taught him how to he talks about integrating art use the tools of the trade into carpentry. doing home renovations and “I am exploring. I find more other side jobs. The prepara - of a passion in finishing car - tion was valuable, but a large pentry. That is mainly cabinet scale, complex construction making, finishing people’s project is something different. homes. “What goes into a project “The money and benefits of like this is all new to me.” He working for a good company is building forms for the on a union site are attractive. Central Utilities Building, They support you in every learning new things every day way possible. They are always and meeting many talented behind you to back you up.” people on the job site. “I am learning a lot and Continued on following page
A proven construction model for the next generation of workers.
We at the Allied Hydro Council would like to recognize, honour, and thank Tom Sigurdson for his time as executive director of the BC Building Trades. Tom’s unceasing dedication to the labour movement and to unionized construction workers across the province, acts as a model for future leaders in B.C.
The Allied Hydro Council has been negotiating agreements with B.C.’s construction unions for the construction of hydroelectric dams since 1963. These agreements ensure fair wages, good benefits, apprenticeships, local hire, career access to women and Indigenous people and environmental improvements. AHC ALLIED HYDRO COUNCIL #207-88 Tenth St, New Westminster BC V3M 6H8 778-397-2220
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 9 YVR continued from previous page
Barbara James Union work brings multiple benefits and opportunities
Second-year carpentry apprentice after hearing that, that is all I think Barbara James, 32, is one of the work - about,” James said. “It is very flattering.” ers whose career and life are being James attended the Trades Women transformed by the training provided Build Nations conference in her on the CUB project and parking Minneapolis, Minnesota last October lot expansion construction site. and returned inspired to help others. James, a Kwakiutl First Nations “I loved it. It was so empowering to woman originally from Port Hardy, was have so many like-minded women in working non-union, subcontracting one room,” she said. “It makes you real - formwork jobs for three years when ize that you are not alone.” frustration motivated her to visit James said she has learned in recent ACCESS Trades Training and years not to be hard on herself and not Apprenticeship programs, an organiza - try to meet the expectations of others. tion that helps Indigenous Canadians “Everyone has a different path. You get trades training. do not have to graduate, go to post- “They suggested I try the union. I secondary, get married, have children.” was having bad luck with subcontract - And the struggles that she has had in ing and not getting paid.” her life, will help her understand and James is already planning how she help others face similar challenges. will reach out and help other young “I would like to focus on Indigenous workers when she completes her women, and also on foster kids. I training. would like to reach out to foster kids “I want to get my Red Seal. And after who are about to age out of care and having my Red Seal for five years, my stuff.” instructor at BCIT suggested I come Every day on the job she develops back and teach. He thinks I would be a carpentry and leadership skills that take good teacher.” her closer to her dreams. With her experience in concrete, Her foreman is training James as a James helped teach parts of the course lead hand “which is not typical for an to other young apprentices and was apprentice, but because of my leader - told she had the communication skills ship skills and knowledge in concrete I and patience necessary to be a good guess he feels I am the most capable teacher. working with everyone else when he is “I never considered it before, but not there.”
10 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2019 Phil venoit President’s view
Phil Venoit, ibeW local 230, rse Community Benefits Agreements raise standards of living for all
Community Benefits Agreements raise the retention of the highest skilled tradesmen and standards of living for all tradeswomen in B.C. It has been no secret that union busting and impeding B.C.’s construction unions, collectively by far, sign off on the right of workers to form unions has been in vogue the most completed apprenticeship training. It is for these since the 1980s. Unionization rates in the private sector key reasons that the BC NDP government established the have fallen dramatically. Community Benefits Agreement. The result has not been a boon to any business that On a final note and with mixed emotions, we are about depends on consumer spending. Instead, it’s driven the to say “goodbye and good luck” to a friend and a Brother decline in Canada’s middle class. If workers have more dis - who has steered the BC Building Trades through some of posable income, those people and their families are more our toughest of times. Our executive director for the past likely to shop at local stores rather than having to go with - two decades, Brother Tom Sigurdson, has announced his out or purchase second hand. retirement for the end of the year. I say “mixed emotions” The smug conclusion that “unions are no longer needed” because it’s hard to see someone go who has given and is grossly out of date. There is more income disparity now sacrificed so much of his time, energy, intellectual and emo - than existed just before the stock market crash of 1929. tional capital for the benefit of our movement. And yet Unless we want to repeat that experience of another how, as trade unionists, can we expect for one of us to not Great Depression, we need to make sure that the working enjoy their full retirement. A benefit we have all worked so class get their fair share of the nation's wealth and, to do hard and fought for, the right to retire in dignity. So, Tom, that, we need to make private sector unions a thing again! wherever the balance of life takes you, on behalf of the It was higher rates of unionization that led to the rise of entire BC Building Trades membership, I would like to the middle class and the prosperity of the 1950s, '60s and thank you for a job well done, and hope your best years '70s. The fact that robber-baron capitalism and measles are are yet to come! both trending upward again should tell us how little we’ve learned from our own history. Implementing Community Benefits Agreements through - out B.C. on vertical construction projects will result in greater prosperity for all construction workers, as better wages and actual benefits that help raise the standard of living for working-class families is just good social policy. The fact is, unions are not only good for workers, they are also good for the middle class and B.C.’s economy. Unions raise wages of the employees they represent allow - ing for extra money to be circulated throughout their communities. They increase the retirement, medical, dental and extended healthcare benefits of those same employees, and that leads to pensioners with spending money. Unions reduce income inequality and even increase the pay of non- union workers by creating a regional job classification stan - dard and reduce employee turnover and therefore increase SHEETT METAL,METTAL,AL, ROOFER AND PRODUCTIONPROODUCTION WORKERS LOCALLOCCAL UNION 280
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Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 11 Trans Mountain Pipeline We can't have the non-union sector building capacity By George Thomas ject that has a realistic goal of trans - Morgan (The Good; The Bad; Special to Tradetalk porting Canadian Energy to tide water The Ugly) For decades, pipelines have trans - is the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) Pipeline controversy was not just ported commodities throughout our project. (The existing line was built in limited to the environmental protest - country; indeed, pipelines have carried the 1950–by Building Trades members.) ers in the streets and on the Burnaby Canadian energy resources not only TMX will expand the existing 1,150- Mountain site. While hundreds demon - east to west but from north to south kilometre pipeline from the Alberta oil strated, thousands of others quietly into the United States where they have sands to the Burnaby terminal. The supported the proposed project. (An then been shipped to an energy-starved expansion will triple the current Ipsos poll conducted in June of 2019 world. pipeline capacity so diluted bitumen shows 60 per cent of British can be shipped to Asian markets. The Columbians support the project.) Shipping our resources for world pipeline is the only pipeline on the Building Trades members have been consumption has long been a challenge continent that pumps batches of crude responsible for pipeline construction as for the most part, our product is and refined oils at the same time. So from the beginning. Pipeline companies destined almost exclusively to a single the expansion is not only for export of have literally built tens of thousands of purchaser–the United States. And with diluted bitumen for off-shore con - kilometres of pipeline using the skilled only one customer, our resources are sumption but diesel and gas–the very members from our local unions. But sold at discounted rates. The price for stuff we put in our vehicles which the Kinder Morgan TMX pipeline pro - Western Canadian Select on Nov. 14 affords us the opportunity to enjoy posal was wanting to build the project was $45.52 while West Texas our quality of life. very differently–they wanted to build Intermediate was $56.81. At times, the the expansion with non-union con - spread between WCS and WTI has Pipeline controversy tractors, which of course translated to even been greater. Our resources were To say that pipeline construction is those contractors employing a captive to the dictates of a single mar - controversial would be an understate - non-union workforce with question - ket. In order to get better value for our ment! Environmentalists decry the pro - able skills. product, we need to access the rest of ject as it will increase Canada’s Building Trades representatives from the world who want Canadian energy. Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) emissions. all levels (local union business man - While it is likely Canadian GHGs will agers and agents as well as interna - Access to tide water, continued increase due to the project, it is also tional representatives) attended domestic supply true that providing Asian countries numerous meetings with Kinder We have long realized the only way with cleaner burning energy sources Morgan. “All of us know that pipelines to export Canadian energy is to get will lessen the amount of wood, dung are the most efficient and safest trans - the product to tide water. There have and coal being used as energy sources. port system to bring natural resources been multiple proposals for pipeline But let’s save that argument for anoth - to markets…” said Tom Sigurdson, construction for years. The Enbridge er time. executive director for the BC Building Northern Gateway proposal was can - Trades, “... it only made sense for us to celled. The TransCanada Energy East The Building Trades; the be on board and supporting the proposal was cancelled. The only pro - Government of Canada; Kinder expansion of Kinder Morgan’s TMX
CARPENTERS • SCAFFOLDERS • FLOORLAYERS BC Regional Council of Carpenters 'PSB$BSFFSJO$POTUSVDUJPO Call: 888.217.9320 Email: [email protected]
12 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 project. Little did we know how dras - tically that would change. ” At one meeting, Kinder Morgan management invited local and interna - tional union representatives to attend a project update. The update lasted hours and at the end of the presenta - tion, the Kinder Morgan officials advised that our contractors and thus our members would not be working the project. “We all left the meeting wondering just WTF happened,” said Sigurdson. The TMX project, while it was still owned by Kinder Morgan, continued in its work to secure the necessary approvals. They continued to reach out to the Building Trades suggesting that some component of the work would be available for union members. And we in the Building Trades continued to generally support pipeline development Construction taking place at Westridge Marine Terminal in North Vancouver. and cautiously support the KM TMX project. Meetings between KM TMX contin - ued with the international reps of the four unions that build pipelines in Canada: the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), Labourers International Union of North America (LiUNA) and International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). Representatives Lionel Railton (IUOE), Patrick Campbell (IUOE), Heiko Wiechern (UA), Mark Olsen (LiUNA) and Gary Kitchen (IBT) had numerous meetings with the leadership of KM TMX and managed to secure small components of the project. While continuing to support the offi - cers and staff in the various local unions, the representatives from the four unions worked together on the TMX file. “Obviously we have a philo - Work is under way at Burnaby Terminal in north Burnaby. sophical bent that this pipeline has to be built,” said Railton. “The product is important to us because it employs a lot of our men and women...The Trans Mountain Pipeline is a major project in our space, in our jurisdiction.” Campbell said, “We've constructed 95 per cent of the NEB pipelines in Canada. All four trades working in oil and gas are signatory to three national collective agreements.” Not getting the work, “would have been a major blow to our industry.”
Government buys TMX In May of 2018, the federal govern - ment announced it purchased the Trans Mountain Pipeline from Kinder Morgan and the attention turned from meeting with a private corporation to lobbying politicians. “Big projects are extremely difficult
continued on following page One of many stockpiles of pipe for the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 13 TMX continued from previous page Wiechern (UA). “It's scaring investors know the area had been mined. It's eth - away. (But) they're just leaving the ically and environmentally produced. to execute,” Railton said. “The only way province and reinvesting their capital Why would we use oil from other is if it is done in the national interest, down south. But there continues to be countries like Venezuela? We want to so the government of Canada stepped four million barrels leaving the oil sands export to China. in. And kudos to the government for every day. The bitumen hasn't stopped. “We had six years of constant pres - having the vision to do that. Now we We're still building capacity but it's sure on the Trans Mountain team, con - had Spread 1 out of Alberta and Spread going by railway. There are 350,000 bar - stant lobbying of provincial and federal 4 north of Kamloops to Blue River rels a day moving by rail and rail com - governments and messaging to our which made up 28 per cent of the panies want to increase that.” members. And, in the end, it paid off.” pipeline work. But we wanted Spread 7 Olsen (LiUNA) said, “It may sound “We have 1.6 million hours (50 per in Burnaby to the terminal. It has the like I'm pushing the corporate line but cent of the overall work) now,” said most diverse amount of work: marine, it is the most environmentally con - Railton. “What matters to me is, from a the tank farm and the tunnel. Two mil - scious project in the world. I've seen national perspective, we don't want, lion metres of material is coming off how they pull back the forest (in the and can't have, the non-union sector Burnaby Mountain. We told Ian Alberta oil sands), mine the sand in an building capacity. We can't push it any Anderson, who remained in charge of open pit, extract the bitumen from the further down the road but we will be the project, 'We've got to talk to the sand and then put the sand and boreal active in trying to organize the other new owner.’” forest back in place. You would never portions of work.” Stay tuned! Multiple meetings were held with cabinet ministers and high-ranking bureaucrats, and sometimes the prime minister was present. “We told them, 'We've ticked off all the boxes that the government insisted on and funded. We're engaging Indigenous communi - ties, bringing in new skilled workers, advancing women in the trades–(If we don't get the work) all those funds will be sunk.' Despite our good relationship with them (government leaders), we really put their feet to the fire.”
Partners with the industry Carrying the messages of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, the international reps com - municated strongly with their local n o o
union members in Alberta and B.C. t r
“This is a nation-building project,” said a c Campbell. “It will be all Canadians who m benefit from the royalties and 15,000 a L
construction jobs. Construction work - é s o
ers won't be spending their money in J Singapore. There will be a ripple effect.” Opposition to the project “affects growth in the oil sands,” added f 2 f - 0 4 0 2
U F C
Local 97 Apprenticeship & Training provides opportunities for registered Ironworker apprenticeships: Ironworker–Generalist BC IRONWORKERS LOCAL 97 Ironworker–Reinforcing ironworkerslocal97.com Ironworker–Foundation
14 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 NDP. He was also active with the federal Labour lawyer, activist to take party, managing Piotr Majkowski’s Langley campaign in 2011. Majkowski garnered 11,235 votes, which marked the best reins of BC Building Trades showing for the party ever in that riding. Labour lawyer Andrew Mercier will “We’re thrilled to have him in this role.” Then in 2013, Mercier went from sup - take the reins of the B.C. Building Trades Mercier graduated from Dalhousie porter and manager to candidate when, at Council as executive director next month. University’s Schulich School of Law in 27, he became the youngest New Mercier will replace Tom Sigurdson, 2017, joining the Teamsters as legal coun - Democrat to run for a seat in the provin - who joined the council in 2010 after a sel that same year, where he was respon - cial election. lengthy career in political and legislative sible for grievance arbitration, judicial By 2018, Mercier had expanded his affairs. Sigurdson will remain with the reviews and labour relations. He won a political experience to include a run for council as an advisor until March 2020. significant arbitration earlier this year Langley City Council on a platform of “With his past political experience and against a company that tried to contract affordable housing and transportation. The advocacy, and his stellar work as legal out certain work, in violation of the col - first-time council candidate finished 128 counsel for Teamsters Local 213, Andrew lective agreement. votes shy of election. is well-positioned to lead B.C.’s unionized Fighting on behalf of working people Fast-forward to 2019, and Mercier is construction sector into the next came naturally for Mercier, having ready for another challenge, this time to decade,” said BCBT president Phil Venoit. watched his mom, a nurse, spend years advance the interests of B.C.’s 35,000 battling the Workers’ Compensation sys - unionized construction workers. He sees tem after enduring multiple back and knee bringing back compulsory trades, launch - injuries at work. ing an independent Labour Code review “She suffered a lot,” recalls Mercier of for the construction sector and securing his mom’s pain. “When you watch some - additional projects under the province’s one close to you experience the bureau - Community Benefits Agreement frame - cratic and regulatory structures that are work as priorities. supposed to serve working people, you “A healthy, robust construction sector soon realize that those systems can in fact is important to our provincial economy as disempower or even hurt people, too.” well as to the thousands of men and With his mom working as a nurse and women who work so hard building our his dad a police officer, Mercier grew up roads, our bridges, and our buildings,” said with the belief that if you observed an Mercier. “We have a huge role to play injustice, you should try to fix it. Thus no ensuring that these workers who build one was surprised when a 25-year-old our province are well-trained, well-paid, Mercier got involved with Adrian Dix’s well-represented, and able to go home at campaign for the leadership of the BC the end of every day to their families.”
WORK APPAREL AND SAFETY FOOTWEAR
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Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 15 Tradeswomen Build Nations
Trailblazers gather in Minneapolis
By Corry Anderson-Fennell Every year, the number of participants at the North American Tradeswomen Build BCBT Communications Director Nations conference grows. Apprentice carpenter Barbara James practices, learn about opportunities in The conference featured a day of ser - is accustomed to being the only the industry and engage with top lead - vice with Haven House Ascension woman on a job site–after all, women ers from government, industry and the Place and Second Harvest Heartland, account for only four per cent of the 15 biggest international building trades formal plenary sessions and over 25 skilled construction trades in B.C. unions. workshops on a range of topics So imagine what it was like to sud - “I met some incredible women, and addressing the unique and critical denly be among more than 2,800 heard some incredible stories–good issues of tradeswomen. tradeswomen from trades and jurisdic - and bad,” said Homenuk. “Part of me “This conference grows exponential - tions across North America and is thrilled for how much women are ly every year, and the impact is phe - beyond. advancing in the trades and the other nomenal,” said NABTU president Sean “I’m usually the only female form- part of me is saddened by how many McGarvey. “NABTU is committed to worker on a job site, so it was amaz - stereotypes go along with women empowering current and future ing to see so many like-minded wanting to begin or change career tradeswomen as we increase opportu - women come together,” said James, a paths.” nities for and retention rates of member of the BC Regional Council Homenuk said she was thrilled to women in fulfilling union trade careers. of Carpenters (BCRCC). “Listening to be part of an event where hundreds of Every day, we recruit more women the testimonials of other people can come together and find into great union construction appren - tradeswomen and also their trials and common ground to enact change. ticeships and careers, and these trail - tribulations was a good reality check. “Strangers coming together, laughing, blazing tradeswomen are moving up in We’ve come so far over the years sharing stories and supporting one the top ranks of leadership. This con - but there is always room for another is something I will remem - ference is a celebration of these trail - improvement.” ber forever and can't wait to be part blazers and a testament to the growth James and Aynsley Homenuk, also an of again.” of tradeswomen among our ranks.” apprentice carpenter with BCRCC, Added James: “I’m a firm believer Participants took to the streets of were sponsored by BC Building Trades that everything happens for a reason downtown Minneapolis for a parade affiliates to attend Tradeswomen Build and I know Aynsley and I were meant and rally on Oct. 5. The conference Nations, which is the largest gathering to bring back these great ideas to our concluded on Oct. 6 with a keynote of its kind in the world. For nine years, union and to our job sites.” speech by UA Union General tradeswomen from across North Organized by North America’s President Mark McManus and an America and even around the world building Trades Unions (NABTU), apprenticeship pathways panel led by have been gathering annually to sup - Tradeswomen Build Nations was held Arlene Dunn, director of Canada’s port and inspire each other, share best Oct. 4 to 6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Building Trades Unions.
16 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 bring a perspective that supports suc - cessful business strategies. Hiring women is smart “Even though jobs in construction By Corry Anderson-Fennell are some of the most well-paid and BCBT Communications Director tion sector or outside the industry.” rewarding ways to make a living, “We’ve got a skilled trades short - women make up only four per cent of There is a crisis in construction, and age in B.C. and the rest of Canada, the industry,” notes Ashley Duncan, women are part of the solution. and hiring and retaining women are co-chair of Build TogetHER BC and According to BuildForce Canada, among the ways we can manage this vice-president of the BC Insulators 254,800 people, or 21 per cent of the shortage and ensure our province Local 118. “There are a lot of reasons current construction workforce, is remains prosperous,” said for that, but among them is that many expected to retire by 2027. That’s International Union of Operating in the industry haven’t yet figured out 14,000 more people retiring than are Engineers Local 115 commercial the competitive advantage they have expected to enter the construction transportation mechanic Chelsea when women are on the job site.” industry over the same period. French, who is also co-chair of Build While not unique to the construc - The outlook for British Columbia is TogetHER, the women’s committee of tion industry, another study by the especially grim. BuildForce data indi - the BC Building Trades. California-based Anita Borg Institute cates that 40,800 construction work - And these aren’t the only benefits found that organizations committed ers will retire by 2027, and only to hiring women. The Canadian to improving the balance of women in 32,800 people will enter the industry. Apprenticeship Forum developed a the workforce benefit from improved BuildForce notes, “The growing rate business case for hiring women on operational and financial performance, of retirements and the less than ade - the job site. According to the study, increased innovation, better problem- quate supply of locally available women give organizations a competi - solving skills, and more effective team - replacement workers will mean the tive advantage through increased pro - work. industry will, with increasing regulari - ductivity, enhanced reputation and If you don’t like reading research ty, be required to recruit workers employer loyalty. Women-dominated papers and studies, it all boils down to from outside the province’s construc - teams have an eye for detail, and they this: Hire women. Do better. Attendees at the Tradeswomen Build Nations conference participating in a day of service for Second Harvest Heartland.
Apprentice carpenters Barbara James and Aynsley Homenuk, advocates for women in the trades.
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 17 view From ottAwA By Arlene dunn
Chief executive officer for Canada’s building trades unions Speaking of politics…
Thank you to everyone who voted consequence. Governments frequently skills upgrading addresses the concerns and the candidates who ran. Choosing use tax breaks as a preferred instrument of businesses for a safe, skilled craft the right candidate isn’t always easy, of public policy. workforce. A healthy and viable union especially since it has become more and Invest in energy infrastructure; construction training system is a proven more difficult to distinguish between build a national energy corridor avenue to restore the Canadian middle random facts and fabrications. that includes pipeline and supports class and bring dignity and security back Congratulations also go out to Prime climate change goals and creates to the workplace. Minister Trudeau and his team, as we jobs for our members Decisive action for an asbestos-free look forward to continuing the work we Canada’s Building Trades Unions have Canada do to further the causes that are impor - long been advocates for energy infra - Canada reached a historic milestone tant to our members and all working structure. When compared to other on Dec. 30, 2018. After 130 years as a Canadians. ways to move energy, pipeline trans - leading exporter of asbestos, Canada I am sure many of you feel you're pol - portation produced between 61 and 77 finally banned its use, import and export. iticked-out. However, now is not the per cent fewer greenhouse gas emis - Now the door is open for Canada to time to let apathy set in, for it is sions than rail, according to a study out develop a comprehensive strategy to between elections that real opportunity of the University of Alberta. Building a address the legacy of asbestos in our for change exists. We can capitalize on national energy corridor is vital to get - buildings, infrastructure and environ - this time by meeting with our elected ting our resources to markets. ment. We must also deal with the impact officials and pushing forward on our pri - Apply Community Benefits of diseases resulting from past and cur - orities. Agreements on public infrastruc - rent asbestos exposures. The Canadian Regardless of political leanings, it’s ture projects and level the playing government needs to: important to maintain focus on our pri - field for underrepresented groups • establish a national asbestos agency orities, the most paramount of which is Community Benefits Agreements • mandate the agency, in cooperation to continue to build Canada with skilled, (CBAs) can secure work, skills training with Indigenous peoples, the unionized tradespeople from coast to and fair wages to qualified local resi - provinces, territories and municipali - coast to coast. Our priorities outlined dents and groups who are traditionally ties, to develop a comprehensive ahead of the election remain the same: underrepresented in the skilled trades Canadian asbestos strategy and an Incorporate a skilled trades mobili - sector. Predetermined wages, training implementation plan ty program into our tax system and worker ratios ensure greater • as a first step, work with the provinces Having construction workers travel to accountability. on establishing a mesothelioma get to their jobs is difficult and costly, Provide apprenticeship opportuni - patient registry considering the lack of tax incentives to ties through infrastructure invest - Brothers and sisters, let us recommit do so. Construction workers, who actu - ment to grow a skilled trades ourselves and work harder to ensure ally build something of value, are workforce we continue to not only build Canada, deprived of the ability to write off travel Apprentices graduate with a portable, but train the next generation with the and accommodation expenses, which is recognized credential affording them skills they need to learn their trade, not the case for other professionals good pay and benefits to support them - increase our capacity and best represent such as salespeople. This is an unfair tax selves and their families. Continuous our movement.
18 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 deliver to their anti-union partners. Federal election analysis The Scheer Conservatives have not demonstrated they would have been any friendlier to the Building Trades. Imagine our shock, on the eve of the election, when Scheer finally unveiled the Conservative platform and it revealed he would delay billions of dol - lars in federal infrastructure spending in order to balance the budget within five Results not bad years. Yes, we do indeed have our work cut out for us. By contrast, we’ve been buoyed by and could have been the activities of the federal Liberals in their previous mandate, and our expec - tations remain high that this will contin - much worse ue. For example, we are eager to see the implementation of a federal Community Benefits program. Liberal By Corry Anderson-Fennell Trans Mountain Pipeline. In short, we MP Ramesh Sangha’s re-election signals and Tom Sigurdson have a big job ahead of us ensuring that a continued pursuit of his private mem - all the parties and both new and return - ber’s bill that would authorize the The 2019 federal election is over, but ing MPs understand the work we do. Minister of Public Works to require an our work is just beginning. While the Liberal government has explanation of anticipated community The Liberal minority requires support supported our work through funding benefits when construction bids are from other MPs in order to pass legisla - for our union training centres, grants submitted for federal infrastructure tion. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s and other incentives for skilled trades projects. In Sangha’s own words, this options are to gather support on an ad- workers, we’ve seen the damage a Community Benefits Act would “provide hoc basis or create a formal coalition in Conservative government can pose to for community participation so they can a confidence and supply agreement–or unions. In 2011, after getting his first achieve their fair share of the federal perhaps a combination of the two, majority government, then Prime government’s spending” and ensure depending on the legislation. In Minister Stephen Harper attacked “reliable growth and meaningful Trudeau’s post-election press confer - organized labour with bills C-377 and employment.” ence, the Prime Minister seemed to C-525, which would have made it diffi - Sangha’s bill will have to be re-intro - favour seeking support on the ad hoc cult for labour unions to function. Had duced in the new Parliament, hopefully basis as opposed to entering any formal the Trudeau government not been as a government (not private members’ agreement with one or more opposi - elected in 2015 and put a stop to those bill) which when passed will hold con - tion parties. Governing will be a chal - bills, we would likely have seen tractors working on federally funded lenge. so-called “Right to Work” laws across projects to account for greater commu - For the Building Trades, we are com - many provincial jurisdictions by this nity benefits such as having apprentices mitted to keeping our infrastructure time. Workers in Right to Work states on the projects, more women in the spending priorities in focus for the have some of the poorest wage, benefits trades and Indigenous inclusion. minority Liberals and any alliances that and security provisions in North Ultimately, we share the priorities of will be drawn with Jagmeet Singh’s New America and that is what the Canada’s Building Trades Unions, and we Democrats and the Green Party. We Harper/Scheer (and now Doug Ford in will lobby the MPs in the new will also work with the Liberals and the Ontario, Jason Kenney in Alberta and Parliament hard to see these priorities Conservatives as we advocate for the Brian Pallister in Manitoba) want to supported.
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Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 19 Surging interest in the trades friendly unions. coincides with unprecedented The packed auditorium reflected the demand for workers. unprecedented demand for skilled, unionized construction workers. “We bring people in the front door in the morning and they go out the back door in the afternoon,” Rilling said of the current labour situation. Representatives from several B.C. Building Trades' member unions said the heavy turnout was the result of B.C.’s booming economy, workers wanting quality union training and quali - ty union jobs, with good pay, benefits and pensions, and the provincial gov - ernment’s Community Benefits Agreements. Some recently graduated female high- school students–and their mothers–were among those checking out the training and employment opportunities. “I am currently taking a trade sam - pler program in Chilliwack that is sup - posed to give you an idea of the differ - ent trades,” said Magdalena Stroniarz, 19, of North Vancouver, as she took a break from visiting the various booths. Stroniarz said the trade sampler pro - Trades Opportunity Group job fair gram at the University of the Fraser Valley and the job fair were helping her decide what career she would pursue. Eager young people want to Her current favourites include welding, electrical and climbing arborist. get into the unionized trades Stroniarz said she was drawn to the trades because she enjoys working with Articles by David Hogben her hands, wants to make good money International Union of Operating and does not mind working at heights. Opportunities for careers in B.C.’s Engineers Local 115 in Burnaby this fall. “Directly after I graduated from unionized construction industry exist Young British Columbians–and some school I started house painting–exteri - like no time in living memory. older ones–lined up to try the IUPAT or and interior,” she said. “I have lived here my whole life. I DC 38 augmented reality painting Her mother, Christina Price, an have never seen it like this. Never,” said trainer, the Operating Engineers heavy elementary school teacher, said she business rep Byron Rilling of the equipment simulators and to hear was also tempted by some of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 170. how union pension plans, pay and opportunities. Young men and women crowded into other benefits outmatch those of “There is quite the range. There are the job fair at the union hall of the non-union companies and employer so many options,” she remarked. Price
OPERATIVEOOPERAATIVETIVE PLASPLASTERERS’STERERS’ AND CECEMENTEMENT MASONS’’ INTERNATIONALINTERNAATIONALTIONNAL ASSOCIATIONASSOCIAATIONTIOON LOCALLOCAL Objectives:Objectives: • ToTo encencourageourage a high standarstandardd of skill among the members • ToTo prprovideovide the trade with ccompetentommpetent wworkersorkers • ToTo obtain and maintain a fairr standardstandard of wages • ToTo prprotectotect the jurisdiction off the trade • ToTo organizorganizee those wworkingorking inn our craft • ToTo advancadvancee the moral, intelleintellectual,ectual, social and financial cconditiononddition of all our members 12309 IndustrialIndustrial RoadRoad 604-585-9198604-585-9198 [email protected]@opcmia919.orrg Surrey,Surrey, BC 1-800-298-63441-800-298-6344 www.opcmia919.orgwww.opcmia919.org RoyRRooy BBizzuttoizzutto Craftmanship—Prosperity—ResponsibilityCraftmanship—Proosperity—Responsibilitty BusinessBusiness MManager,anager, SecrSecretary-Treasureretary-TTrreasurer
20 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 said she might have chosen the trades, concerned that their daughters would CLAC (Christian Labour Association of rather than teaching, if the same oppor - face on-the-job harassment in the male- Canada) people coming in here today. I tunities had existed earlier in her life. “I dominated construction industry. am already looking at stripping a few think I might have, yes,” she said. “I see the young women coming into guys out of CLAC companies,” Munro Lindsey Scott, 30, worked the con - the office as electricians. They have said. The union pension plan is far supe - trols of the International Union of confidence, earn a good wage and rior to the RRSP plan CLAC members Operating Engineers heavy equipment accept no harassment. In fact, the IBEW must settle for. simulator while her mother Irene puts on courses to stop that sort of Teamsters Local 213 project co-ordi - Astley looked over her shoulder. thing,” Astley said. nator Alex Bruse said demand was high Astley has a good career as a finan - Price said she and her daughter are for Site C camp workers and security cial accountant, and now works for the aware that harassment is not accepted workers for the Trans Mountain International Brotherhood of Electrical in the industry as it once was. Pipeline and the Kitimat LNG plant. Workers, but if things had been differ - “I also know her. She can stand her Bruse said he could send some ent when she was younger, she might own. She can give back as much as she workers straight to the Site C hydro have pursued a career in the trades, receives,” construction project on the Peace instead of accounting. International Union of Operating River if qualified applicants walked “Accounting has done me really well. Engineers Local 115 organizer John through the door. “Absolutely, yes,” he It paid the mortgage and it paid the Munro said he fielded a lot of questions said, then added that he was ready to bills, but I would have loved to have from prospective members wanting to hire a couple dozen more for the gone out and done something like this check out opportunities at the 40-acre pipeline and LNG. “We hope maybe a to work with my hands,” she said. Maple Ridge training centre. third to 50 per cent will be women,” Gender stereotyping reached right into “We had a few guys coming up ask - he said. high school. “Sewing and cooking home ing about apprenticeships for welding William Maarsman, IBEW Local 213 economics-style courses were all that and millwrights,” Munro said. “They business manager, said the Trades were offered when I was in grade have taken a few foundation courses Opportunity Group that put on the school. I wasn’t even allowed to take and they are asking if we accept multi-union job fair was, in part, intend - shop. It just was not allowed.” apprentices.” ed to help overcome the lack of trust Scott currently works in a ware - In addition to the young people that sometimes exists between different house, but has reached the limit of the exploring trades training opportunities, unions. “Individually, we all do a good opportunities and income she can many more experienced construction job. Now we are doing it collectively.” receive there. workers also came to check out the He said it is well accepted even She wants more from a career, opportunities. among non-union workers that union including more money and more Some non-union workers and those training centres are the highest quality. opportunities to learn. in employer-friendly unions were ready “The best training centres are union. “I go into work right now and it’s the to be dispatched to work the week Our training centre has a 97 per cent same thing every day,” she said. after the job fair. success rate,” he said. “We set people Neither Price nor Astley were overly “Yes, I have had a few non-union and up for success, not for failure.”
NDP government doing its part for training
“There is no question it’s an excit - opportunity for young people and ensure that those jobs can be filled ing time for the B.C. construction people who are transitioning jobs and by British Columbians. industry,” provincial Finance Minister looking for a new career to really “We made a commitment that Carole James said in an interview. look seriously at trades and seriously when we spent public dollars...they James said the NDP government at construction.” would go towards training, would go invested more than $20 billion in new Community Benefits Agreements, towards apprenticeships. As a govern - infrastructure and improvements in aimed at training and employing ment we have to do our part,” James the first two years of its mandate. women, Indigenous people, and local said. As a result, the provincial construc - workers now, are critically important tion industry created about 10,000 to the economy right now, she said. new jobs in 2018, a growth of “We really see this as the opportuni - 4.3 per cent. ty not only for women, Indigenous “That would include everything People and other workers, but an from schools, to hospitals, roads, opportunity for all of B.C. bridges, colleges and housing. The “Our government has made major challenge is we have a huge number investments in the people of this of job vacancies right now.” province. Because really it is the peo - Not only is the economy booming, ple–the workers each and every but many qualified construction day–who grow the economy.” workers are getting ready to retire. Women, Indigenous workers and “If you look at the next 10 years local workers must be trained to you are looking at about 71,000 jobs meet the looming demand for skilled in construction with retirements and workers. “The CBAs really say that as openings coming up,” she said. a government we have to do our Of the BC Building Trades' job fair, part. We have to take our responsibil - she said, “It is a hugely exciting ity to train the next generation to
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 21 Certification takes concrete pumping to new level
By M. Malatesta the group announced the creation of more powerful and challenging concrete Concrete pumping work is going the first certified training program for pumping methods and systems becomes through a revolutionary upgrade to concrete pump operators in North more apparent. address change thanks to a new training America. “It is often necessary to pump ready- and certification process. The joint effort “We played a leading role in the pilot mixed concrete, at very high pressure, between the BC Building Trades and testing of this program,” said Towsley, through a complex system of pipes to construction and concrete contractors “and we commend the BCCSA in its reach the right spot on the construction is focused on improving safety and tak - leadership in bringing business and site. The operators who control this ing the skill development involved in labour together in the interests of con - often-dangerous pumping process now operating cement pump trucks to a struction industry safety.” he said. “We have a safety skills standard against new level. have run our own non-certified training which to be measured. This is one of the “The work to create a certification (for concrete pump operators) in the most important parts of building con - program in B.C. started in about 2014,” past. This takes it to a new level. Now struction, and one of the most danger - said Josh Towsley, assistant business there’s a standardized process for oper - ous,” said Mike McKenna, executive manager for the International Union of ating pump trucks. You write an exam director of the BCCSA, in a news Operating Engineers Local 115. “There and a third party watches how you set release. “While people operating such was already a push to amend the CSA up the truck, run the equipment and heavy equipment must be trained to do standards after a fatal workplace inci - interact with the crew. Once the evalua - this work, surprisingly no formal pro - dent involving a concrete pump in tion is done you either pass or fail.” grams are in place anywhere in North Ontario. He said the incident was inves - Fulford Certification, the organization America to certify their knowledge or tigated by the Ontario coroner who that oversees the training and certifica - on-site performance capabilities. This is recommended strengthening the CSA tion for crane operators, is supervising where British Columbia has taken standard to include a formal certification the new training as well. The program is the lead to improve safety on construc - process that demonstrates the compe - currently voluntary for contractors. tion sites.” tencies necessary to ensure the safety of Towsley would like to see it made Provincewide consultations were held workers in construction. mandatory for everyone. “It just makes in 2015 and were followed in 2016 by Towsley said Local 115 in B.C. was sense,” he said. “It puts everyone on a pilot testing of pump operators by among the first to heed that call and, level playing field and ensures everyone industry experts. In order to gain indus - along with the BC Building Trades, got is properly trained and knows the rules.” try-wide acceptance, the program was together with the BC Construction Concrete, according to industry created to meet International Standards Safety Alliance (BCCSA), a provincewide sources, is the most common building Organization requirements and to be advocacy group of both labour and con - material. As buildings become taller and accredited by American National tractor representatives. This September, more complex in design, the need for Standards Institute.
22 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 Apprenticeship advisors Advice and mentorship to boost completion rates
By Megan Terepocki ommendations from the report–the serviced,” said Sawatsky. result of public consultation–resulted in There is also a focus on diversity and Julie Sawatsky, a member of the B.C. 15 regional apprenticeship advisors inclusion within apprenticeships. “So Regional Council of Carpenters, is one being placed on the ground at that having more Indigenous participants, of five new apprenticeship advisors time. In part, this need was driven by more women in the trades. We’re really hired by the Industry Training Authority the forecasting of job growth due to supporting and sustaining those appren - (ITA) this fall. new infrastructure projects. tices as well as the other 37,000 “I see the job as a real support for “The idea of the apprenticeship apprentices that we already have in our workers, being a voice for workers,” advisor was that they would be con - system. she said. Sawatsky will be assisting necting, coaching and supporting “The recent appointments mean apprentices and employer sponsors apprentices and employers as well as there will be more one-on-one support navigate the apprenticeship system. the whole apprenticeship community,” for people who might be having difficul - She brings 25 years of experience as she said. ty with the process and maybe not a Red Seal carpenter, along with many “Number one is building those completing (their apprenticeships),” she years of service promoting the skilled relationships.” said, “making sure that students are trades, especially to people under-rep - Advisors provide resources to indus - getting their hours logged, helping them resented in the trades. She also chairs a try and information about industry to rewrite their exams or helping them program for women in the trades. She changes, such as the harmonization of to understand their role in the has worked as a career counsellor and training requirements for Red Seal process and ask the right questions to adult educator in her fields of expertise trades across Canada. The overall goal employers. and with youth at risk. of the advisors is to improve the num - “We’re coming back to a really good As apprenticeship advisors, she said, ber of completed apprenticeships in the system where there’s more access to “We help to support over a hundred system. individuals for help.” trades, from hair styling to cooks, to The new advi - automotive and construction...There’s sors will also help a concept that trades are something to address regional you do because you can’t do anything disparities that else,” she said. “The trades are a have existed huge industry. They pay well. They are across the for skilled, smart people and a way to province. “There open doors.” was lots of need She calls it, “the ‘other’ four-year in rural and degree.” remote communi - The need to increase the number of ties and some of advocates in the system was identified the Indigenous in the McDonald report (part of B.C.’s nations are in Blueprint for Jobs issued by the B.C. areas that just Government in 2013/14). The 29 rec - weren’t being n o o t r a c m a L
é s o J
23 Tradetalk Magazine 2019 Find a Trade Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 23 Protecting yourself from JoB Safety harmful exposure to silica dust WorkSafeBC
By Roberta Sheng-Taylor • facade renovation, including tuck- • health monitoring Manager Industry & Labour point work Services, Construction • abrasive or hydro blasting What do I do to avoid exposure? • dry sweeping or pressurized air If there is the potential for you to be Silica is one of the most common blowing exposed to silica dust in your work - hazards on a worksite, with exposure • tunneling, excavating or moving earth place, you can do the following: being most prevalent in the construc - • learn about the control methods that tion industry. It is estimated that nearly How much dust is too much? can protect you 400,000 Canadian workers are For most of Canada, the eight-hour • ask your supervisor how you will be exposed to silica dust every year. exposure limit for crystalline silica is protected when performing dusty Silica crystals are found in natural only 0.025 milligrams per cubic metre work materials such as sand, sandstone, gran - of air. It’s very likely that if you are • follow safe work procedures, and use ite, clay, shale and slate. Activity that standing in a cloud of dust on a con - respiratory protection creates dust can expose workers to struction site, you have been overex - • talk to your family doctor, who may airborne silica. Some common silica- posed. recommend medical monitoring containing materials found on con - Inhaling microscopic particles of sili - struction sites are: ca can permanently damage your lungs. Online silica control tool • concrete, concrete block, cement and Symptoms and diseases can develop To aid in the development of expo - mortar after years of exposure to relatively sure control plans, the Silica Control • masonry, tiles, brick and refractory low concentrations of airborne silica Tool was created. Developed by the brick or as short a period of months after BC Construction Safety Alliance, in col - • granite, sand, fill dirt and top soil exposure to significantly higher con - laboration with WorkSafeBC and the • asphalt containing rock or stone centrations. This takes into account University of B.C., this online resource • abrasive used for blasting individual factors such as age and enables employers to determine silica health of the exposed worker which exposure levels in their workplace and Silica dust is the most widespread plays a significant role in the suscepti - helps employers develop an exposure- airborne hazard on a work site. If you bility of contracting an occupational control plan. do one of the following activities, you disease. Exposures can lead to diseases With the silica tool, you can gener - are at risk of being exposed to silica such as silicosis, autoimmune disorders ate a custom-exposure control plan for dust. and lung cancer. your particular work activities. The • chipping, sawing, grinding, hammering online tool works on desktops, tablets or drilling Preventing exposure to silica dust and smart phones–and exposure con - • crushing, loading, hauling or dumping The key to avoiding exposure and trol plans can be managed and stored • building demolition the risk of silica disease is to make electronically. • power cutting or dressing stone sure the dust is controlled at its The silica tool is currently available source. When this isn’t possible, you on the BCCSA website at bccsa.ca/sili - must wear personal protective equip - ca-control-tool.html. ment such as a respirator.You should For more information on preventing also ensure certain safety guidelines exposure to silica in your workplace, are in place. This includes: visit worksafebc.com/silica. • engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation or water spray systems to reduce dust levels Teleclaim centre open • barriers and signage to restrict from 8 am to 6 pm access to unprotected workers • availability of appropriate PPE such as Workers who've been injured on the job can call WorkSafe B.C.'s respirators and protective clothing Teleclaim Centre between 8 a.m. • training on the dangers of silica and 6 p.m. to file a report. A repre - exposure and how to properly use sentative will complete the injury dust controls and PPE report, explain the claims process and help direct the worker to other What is an exposure control plan? services if necessary. The worker’s An exposure control plan is a docu - employer is then notified of the injury and both the worker and ment developed by the employer that employer can follow the status of can manage the multiple controls the claim online. implemented to ensure workers, who are involved in an activity that gener - Call 1-888-WORKERS ates silica, are properly protected. (1-888-967-5377) or #5377 These plans should include: on your cell phone if you • employer and worker responsibilities subscribe to • risk assessments Telus Mobility, Rogers or • silica dust controls Bell Mobility. • worker education and training • written safe-work procedures
24 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 Protect yourself from silica dust exposure Silica can be found in many types of building materials and repeated exposures can cause serious lung diseases.
Find resources at worksafebc.com/silica
Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 25 Reprehensible behaviour it. And what is their prime concern? Profit. This is a good time to remind the Business community doesn't business community that the BC Liberals made changes to the WCB sys - understand who creates value tem without any concern for indepen - dence, impartiality or balance. Business By Merrill O'Donnell After almost two decades of the didn’t protest when their chosen gov - BCBT Workers' Advocate labour movement pounding on the gov - ernment promulgated legislation and The pullout of the B.C. business ernment’s table (the B.C. Liberal gov - policies that eliminated injured work - community from the Workers’ ernment’s table for 17 years, and the ers’ pensions for life, drastically low - Compensation Review in August was a B.C. NDP’s table since they got elect - ered wage loss benefits, eviscerated the disheartening, if not totally unexpected, ed), pleading for changes to the WCB medical evaluation process and reori - action by a group of so-called business laws, policies and procedures, Minister ented the vision and culture of the leaders who are used to getting their of Labour Harry Bains decided to board to serve the interests of capital way in a province led by a Liberal gov - review the WCB system. As a result, in instead of workers. And have they for - ernment whose modus operandi was March 2019, he appointed Janet gotten that it was Alan Winter, from the to serve the interests of capital by sell - Patterson, a retired labour lawyer with big downtown employer-side law firm, ing workers short. With the election of an unrivalled expertise in workers’ who made the recommendations to the NDP government, the desires of compensation matters, to undertake a the Liberal government back in 2001 the business community are not being “focused review” of the WCB system. which gave birth to Bills 49 and 63 fulfilled as promptly and seamlessly as Fundamental to this review was a which decimated the WCB system? they were under the Liberals. Such is provincewide public consultation Have they forgotten that it was the the nature of social democracy, the ide - process where Patterson met one-on- same Alan Winter who was retained by ological school of thought the NDP is one with injured workers, employers, the Employers’ Coordinating Group representative of. It’s not the ideal advocates and many others in 14 cities (consisting of many of the same organi - solution for ensuring equity in a struc - over a period of three months. All of zations involved in the recent pullout) turally inequitable economic system the 20-minute interviews were record - who were plugging for “business-friend - (i.e., capitalism), but it’s far better than ed with interviewees given free rein to ly” changes during the Royal what the BC Liberals foisted upon express their views–positive or nega - Commission on Workers’ British Columbians for 17 agonizing tive–on the WCB system and how it Compensation reform back in 1996? years. could be improved. Then, in August, Fact is, a leading business-friendly But now the business community is Patterson sent out a list of “selected lawyer rewrote the Workers’ crying foul and all the usual suspects issues” upon which she was seeking Compensation Act in 2002, and the have expressed their profound dismay further feedback. with how the government has handled This letter trig - the WCB Review. “We can no longer gered the pullout lend any credibility to the review by of the business participating in a process which we community. Their believe lacks independence, impartiality stated reasons for and balance,” states the letter from 46 pulling out was business organizations announcing their that the “selected refusal to participate. “We just want a issues” completely fair and independent process,” said altered the scope Doug Alley, managing director of the of the “focused Employers’ Forum. review” to a com - “We are willing to participate in a prehensive exami - balanced and impartial process to nation of all review the system; however, the writing aspects of the has been on the wall from the very workers’ compen - beginning that the review lacked objec - sation system. tivity,” cried Richard Truscott, B.C. and Balderdash! Given Alberta vice president of the Canadian that Patterson had Federation of Independent Business. to submit her And, of course, the BC Chamber of complete report Commerce echoed EveryoneEthveery cononcenerns ata otf KKoskieoskie tGGlavino tlahevin min GorGordonisterr donby extends their ccongratulationsongratulations to their pBCayma BuildingBsteuildingrs: “when TradesT itrade comeses ExExecutiveto ecutiveS eDDirectorptir. 3ector0, it wo uTTomlomd SSigurdsonigurdson on his wwell-deservedell-deserved rretirementetirement the current WorkSafeBC review, we are have been impossi - not seeing…[a] balanced, fair, indepen - ble to undertake a dent Koskieapproac Glavinh.” Gordon givesgiives c:LWKRI¿FHVLQ:omLWKprReIh¿eFnHsVivLeQ9Q9DQFRXYHUDQGDQFRXYHUDQG 7ROROHDUQPRUHDERXWRXUOHDUQPRUHDERXWRXU¿UPUP Theunions respo nandse f remployeesom the bus accessainess to rTToronto,eoronto,view of weall wwill work to put together andd how we can assist you or commoverunit y50 is lawyers,disingenu includingincludinous, indngic aleadingtive of athespe crightts o fteam the m with the right skills youyourur organization, please go to a highly selective amnesia, and charac - WCB system! teristpractitionersic of an oft-re inpe labourated, tr law,lawuew-t, opensions-form toS geto, w thehat besbestis t results in the most koskoskieglavin.comskieglavin.com or contact any of focusDDQGEHQH¿WVLQVROYHQF\ oQnG pErHoQfiHt ¿inWVsteLQaVdR oOYf HwQoFr\kFODVVeFrODs’VV tHIHhIe¿ FLHQWZD\FbLuHsQinWeZsDs \ our lawyers directlydirectly.. healthactions and sa fandety. employeeBut before siside fidelesh generaling c ommunity’s real out thlitigation.e real reasons for their response, b eef? Simply this: let me provide some background for Bkoskieglavin.comkoskieglavin.cusiness is not com 1650-409 Granvilleille Street T 604.734.8604.734.80018001 those who didn’t follow the WCB g/DZ\HUV/DZ\HUVetting its way 9DDQFRXYHUQFRXYHU%&%&9&79&7 )) Review. and it doesn't like
26 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 business community ate it up like cot - itself from the process. completely fund the workers’ compen - ton candy. Independence? Impartiality? There is a deep-seated failure on the sation system.” No. That’s a myth. Balance? Give your head a shake! part of the business community to Sure, employers pay premiums into the Let no one make the mistake that understand that labour is the source of WCB Accident Fund, which funds the the society in which we live translates value. Their inability to realize this was WCB system. But employers’ premi - into an equitable social order. Nothing revealed in the very first line of the ums are paid out of their profits. could be further from the truth. The statement released by the 46 business Those profits are generated by their foundation of our society, like all pre - organizations and associations workers. Fact is, profit has always been ceding societies, is economic, not politi - announcing their pullout from the the product of workers’ sweat and cal. Capitalism rules. And capitalism WCB Review. It reads: “Employers blood. And it always will be. does not create equity and balance in society; it creates opposing classes–business on one side and labour on the other. Governments in this economic system try to balance these opposing forces, but they will invariably lean to the side of business or labour. Their ideological character dictates who they favour–capital or labour. The BC Liberals clearly favour business. Now, the B.C. NDP govern - ment, who support labour more, may provide a little relief to injured workers by making long overdue changes to the WCB system. The fact that the business community has failed to realize the pressing need for these changes, and has pulled out of n
the WCB Review process, is a dark o o mark against them. Workers’ health and t r a
safety–and their very lives–hang in the c balance of this WCB Review and other m a
more comprehensive reviews that will L
hopefully follow. It is reprehensible that é s o the business community has removed J
MILLWRIGHTS, MACHINE ERECTORS and MAINTENANCE LOCAL UNION
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Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 27 Running away from your problems doesn't count as cardio!
By Vicky Waldron ing for yourself and paying it forward. drawing and surrendering to them. Construction Industry Find someone who also counts prob - The most resilient people use active Rehabilitation Plan lem avoidance as cardio and tell them rather than passive coping skills. about these steps. You never know, you Skills like minimizing. Try telling your - Why do so many of us avoid trying could start a whole new (emotional) self that the problem is not as big as to deal with the things that end up exercise movement. you initially thought. Think positive becoming huge problems for us? Don’t 1) Face your fears statements about your ability to han - we know that if we just dealt with Fear is normal. There is no shame in dle the problem, and actively seek these things, they probably wouldn’t being afraid. Fear, when overcome, support from people around you. end up being problems after all? can be an incredible “We all know that, but–.” And it’s a tool to increase self- big but. Unfortunately, our human esteem by helping you brains are geared up to try and avoid learn and practise the distress and problems as much as pos - necessary skills to sible. By definition, a problem is not overcome your prob - something that most of us look for - lems. ward to. In fact, a problem is something that is likely to cause pain and suffer - 2) Find a resilience ing. So even when we know that by role model nipping something in the bud and deal - Imitation is a powerful ing with it before it gets too big is the mode of learning. Our right way to go, the thought of having role models are so to deal with the distress, the pain and important in our lives the suffering that is required to solve that their values can the problem, is often too much for us. influence our own val - But here’s the magic. When we actu - ues through psycholog - ally deal with problems head on, we ical imprinting. develop our own human version of Whether they're world Teflon. We develop RESILIENCE! leaders or friendly Resilience is that special sauce that neighbours, find role helps to keep us safe and helps us to models that you can bounce back when times are tough. It look up to in times of can’t change what happens to us, but it stress. can change the degree to which we are impacted by the what. 3) Develop active So, the million-dollar question is how coping skills do we develop our own resilience? Despite how painful it Well, put away your cheque books. may be, try actively Here are three easy steps to resilience coping with your stres - for the low low price of doing it, see - sors instead of with -
28 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 Guest article Vancity grant helps newcomers to the trades and green technology
Submitted by the Vancity students, and modernize their curricu - The Vancity enviroFund grant is pro - Communications Department lum to reflect the latest training for viding support to unions as they build solar and electric vehicle charging sta - the training infrastructure that’s needed As she looks back on her training, tion installation and maintenance. to address the skilled labour gap. At the electrician Carissa Belyk can’t help but The program is meant to, not only same time, it is helping to create path - reflect on what she’d say to a younger help drive B.C.’s green economy, but ways for women, Indigenous workers version of herself. also ensure that emerging opportuni - and newcomers into the trades, and She boils it down to a few simple ties in this area are accessible to peo - training a new generation of tradespeo - words that could help any aspiring ple from a diverse range of back - ple in the emerging green construction woman in the trades. “Don’t give up. grounds. industry. Just focus on you, what you want and “The industry is changing. A lot of “We’re investing in the next genera - your apprenticeship, and you’re going to young people see themselves working tion of tradespeople because they’re an get through it and be super in solar, wind and new technologies integral part of building sustainable successful.” coming out. It’s a big attraction,” said communities that combat climate Belyk, a Red Seal electrician, has Phil Davis, the EJTC’s managing direc - change,” said Vancity environment port - taken advantage of the educational tor, adding that electric vehicles, renew - folio manager Morgan Beall. opportunities offered by her union, the able energy and solar power have revo - And, as Davis says, greater represen - International Brotherhood of Electric lutionized the trade. tation of women and Indigenous work - Workers (IBEW) Local 213, and she’s The Electrical Entry Level Trades ers from the apprentice level to work been able to steadily advance in her Training program (ELTT), consists of 15 site management helps encourage oth - field over the last four years. weeks of training followed by 10 weeks ers to follow the same path. Now, thanks to a collaboration of paid work experience. Change can’t come soon enough for between Vancity and the Electrical Joint The formula is simple enough: create Belyk, who said many women feel pres - Training Committee, many more people space for Indigenous and women sure to work harder than most col - are following in her footsteps. The apprentices to train in B.C., and in leagues to prove they’re worthy. “A lot EJTC, which is the training arm of the doing so create new opportunities that of women I’ve talked to have told me Local 213 and Electrical Contractors' pave the way for more diversity within they’ve been in trades for 30-plus years Association of B.C., is offering training the sector. and they still have to prove themselves to help people–especially women and Trainees have the opportunity to with every new job, at every new site.” Indigenous workers–to get ready for move seamlessly from the EJTC pro - To help enable that change, Belyk vol - careers in the renewable energy sector gram to apprenticeships, and then into unteers on the IBEW’s women’s com - that include solar power and electric an evolving workforce that demands mittee, and is eager to be a role model vehicle technology. expertise in renewable and electric for a new generation of electricians. With a Vancity enviroFund grant of power. “I really like my job,” she said. “Some $70,000, EJTC launched a three-year The EJTC aims to retrofit its facility days I laugh to myself and think, ‘Hey, project to specifically support the so that it’s powered on 100 per cent I’m getting paid for this.’ It’s recruitment of Indigenous and female renewable energy. pretty cool.”
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers—Local #2 B.C.
I.U.B.A.C.—Proudly serving members of the trowel trades in B.C. since 1898
RAISE THE LINE For information on membership or training, please contact WITH BAC2BC Geo Higginson, President Paolo Perozzo, Secretary-Treasurer in the masonry 12309 Industrial Road , Surrey B.C V3V 3S4 and tile industries Phone 604-584-2021 Toll-free 1-855-584-2021 [email protected] Vice Chair — Tony Sarangelo; Vice Chair — Dave Rosemeyer; Vice Chair — Robert Witt Prince George Chapter Chair — Kosta Thanos; Vancouver Island Chapter Chair — Karl Jones; Okanagan/Kootenays Chapter Chair — Mike Bariso
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Winter 2019 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 29 Union solidarity the labour movement, and the public, Hotel workers' struggles all pulling together. “What we saw in this labour dispute is a recognition that in 2019 we are confront many workers facing difficult issues for workers in By Megan Terepocki many sectors, including the hospitality just to be able to keep up with the industry with precarious work, with After a month-long strike, over rising cost of living in Vancouver,” health and safety, with livable wage 1,000 members of UNITE HERE Local she said. issues,” said Cronk. “It highlights the 40 returned to work when a historic Support for the striking difficulties facing many workers, and agreement was reached with four workers came from the community fortunately these workers were able, major hotels in downtown Vancouver and from across the province, with vis - through collective bargaining and soli - in October. (UNITE HERE is an affiliate its from Premier John Horgan and fed - darity in the labour movement, to of the BC Building Trades.) eral NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. achieve gains that were sorely needed.” The new contract will see wage The B.C. Federation of Labour Pawa said the hotel workers also increases of up to 25 per cent, supported the striking workers won contract language to help protect improvements in job security, workload through a major boycott and many workers from future automation that safety and protection from sexual businesses and unions respected the could lead to job loss–a first in harassment for workers at the Westin picket lines and moved their events Canada. Bayshore, Hyatt Regency, Pinnacle from the hotels during the strike, The union will continue working Harbourfront and the Four Seasons which helped to put pressure on the with the hotels to eliminate 24-7 on- Hotels. The Four Seasons Hotel was hotels, said Pawa. call availability for workers, and to not on strike, but was a member of “It lifted our spirits and gave us hope change the industry into one that pro - the bargaining unit. that our fight is supported and what vides full-time stable work, she said. “This was a major fight for us,” said we’re doing here is not just for hotel Another 200 workers at Canada’s Sharan Pawa, communications specialist workers,” she said. “It’s for all hotel top-rated hotel, the Rosewood Hotel for the union. “We took on huge cor - workers union and non-union in Georgia, have a tentative agreement at porations and developers in the city, Vancouver, and fighting for workers’ the time of writing. Labour actions including Marriott, and we’re very rights across the province.” have been directed at the hotel proud of what we’ve won. Laird Cronk, president of the B.C. Georgia, along with Hotel Belmont, “This is the first Vancouver hotel Federation of Labour, said the success - both owned by Pacific Reach strike in nearly 20 years and everyone ful outcome was a result of the amaz - Properties. Workers are partly fighting has seen the cost of living skyrocket, ing energy and work of the striking for protection from sexual harass- so we really needed increased wages UNITE HERE workers and the rest of ment and assault, which have been identified as pervasive issues in the hotel industry. Pawa said that staff are fighting for respect for the work they do in main - taining the standards expected at the hotel. “Staff are the ones who provide the luxury service, that keep people coming back (to Vancouver), and they are not being respected for the work that they do.
Vancouver Kingsway NDP MP Don Davies and members of other unions marched in solidarity with UNITE HERE striking workers calling for pro - tection from sexual harassment, wage increases, safety and job security.
30 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Winter 2019 Bringing the right training to you
better training higher wages safer worksites
Teamsters Local 213 604-876-5213
Joint Training School www.teamsters213.org 604-874-3654 [email protected]