Tradetalk Boilermakers Apprentices ready for work - SUMMER 2015 VOL. 18 NO. 2
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SUMMER
2015
tradetalk
THE MAGAZINE OF THE VOL. 18
BC BUILDING TRADES NO. 2
WE BUILD BC™
Boilermakers
Apprentices
ready for work Publications Mail Agreement
No. 40848506
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2 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015
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PUBLISHED BY THE
tradetalk
BC BUILDING TRADES
EDITOR
Tom Sigurdson
SUMMER 2015
EDITORIAL SERVICES
Face to Face Communications The magazine of The bC building Trades
Canadian Freelance Union
Contents
DESIGN/PHOTOGRAPHY
Joshua Berson PhotoGraphics Ltd.
UNIFOR LOCAL 729G
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Shane Dyson
Canadian Freelance Union 6 New boilermakers eager to get to work
Boilermaker Lodge 359
Tradetalk Magazine is published four times
a year by the BC BUILDING TRADES 9 Apprentices appreciate support of their unions
#209 88 10th St. New Westminster, B.C. BCBT convention
V3M 6H8
778-397-2220
bcytbctc@bcbuildingtrades.org
10 Women recruiting women into the trades
www.bcbuildingtrades.org BCBT convention
All rights reserved. Material published may 11 McGill recognized for pulling the council through tough times
be reprinted providing permission is grant- Honourary member
ed and credit is given. Views expressed are
those of the authors. No statements in the 12 Ironworker's story bridges the past and the present
magazine express the policies of the BC Dave Millne
BUILDING TRADES, except where indicated.
14 Owners and labour talking together
The council represents 18 local unions Meeting in April
belonging to 13 international unions.
There are approximately 35,000 unionized 15 The LNG picture today
construction workers in B.C. Emphasis on training
Summer 2015
16 No data collection, no plan
ISSN 1480-5421 Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press
17 Underground economy has to be stopped
Base Subscription Rate –– Millions of dollars lost
$24 Cdn. per year in Canada and the U.S.
For subscriptions outside Canada and the
U.S.––$32 Cdn. per year.
18 Canada complicit in Colombian labour troubles
Tradetalk reporter
20 Focus on carbon capture
B.C. coal industry
Publications Mail Agreement 22 Building Trades apprentices show their skill
No. 40848506
Return undeliverable
Skills Canada competition
Canadian addresses to:
#209 88 10th St. 24 Carpenter? Lather? Interior Systems Mechanic???
New Westminster, B.C. V3M 6H8 Now you know
26 The originals bring a message to Victoria
Site C Dam
30 Why are there so many workplace deaths?
Day of Mourning
Executive Board and Officers
Lee Loftus, President;
Cover: Terry Alexcee,
Insulators a Boilermaker
Patrick Byrne, Vice President; Painters apprentice with
and Allied Trades Boilermakers Lodge
Jim Paquette, Secretary-Treasurer; 359, learned that
Sheet Metal, Roofers and
Production Workers welding is one of his
Ken Noga, Boilermakers strengths.
Rob Tuzzi, Bricklayers and Allied Trades
Chris Feller, Cement Masons
Ray Keen, IBEW Prov. Council
James Leland, Ironworkers
Manuel Alvernaz, Labourers Photo: Joshua Berson
Brian Cochrane, Operating Engineers
Dale Dhillon, Plumbers and Pipefitters
Tony Santavenere, Teamsters Tradetalk is printed on Forest Stewardship Council ®
Jim Pearson, UNITE HERE certified paper from responsible sources. The FSC® is an
independent, not-for-profit organization promoting responsible
Tom Sigurdson, Executive Director management of the world's forests.
Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 3
pilot in B.C. that would later be rolled Apprenticeship Training, the
out across Canada. Also in B.C., we Underground Economy, the BC Hydro
Starting Point are working with the BC Building
Trades to develop a B.C. chapter
Site C project, and last but not least
Women in Trades.
which will comprise women from vari- The second session was solely
ous trades and the role of this team focused on women in the trades and
A mentorship program for will be to attend events such as Skills we had more MLAs and ministers
women in the trades BC, networking events, trade shows, attend than were slated to come.
media events, and conferences and From that lobbying session, we have
Hello fellow brothers and sisters, offer presentations in all levels of edu- had an invitation for further partner-
In January, I was asked by the cation (elementary, high school, college ship from the Minister of Labour
Canadian Building Trades Unions to career fairs) to spread the word and Shirley Bond to assist in setting up the
attend a meeting in Ottawa to partici- encourage young girls and women to mentorship program.
pate in a new program. The CBTU has consider careers in the trades. The reception of fellow brothers and
put together a national team of 20 In February, the B.C. representatives sisters has been very positive and well
women from across Canada to pro- of the national team attended the BC received and we are looking forward
mote, support and mentor women in Building Trades Convention in Victoria, to working with all of you to further
the skilled construction trades. The at which time we announced the pro- this initiative.
name of this program is Build Together. gram. Part of our role in attending was
The program is currently putting to participate in two lobbying sessions. Stephanie Hill
together a mentorship program to The first one included four topics: Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 516
We welcome your comments...
The opinions expressed in Starting Point are not
necessarily those of the BC Building Trades Council
or its affiliates. Send letters (the shorter the better)
to the editor at:
BC BUILDING TRADES, #209 88 10th St.
New Westminster, B.C. V3M 6H8 or
:LWK\RXUKHOSVRPHGD\DSHQZLOOMXVWEHIRUZULWLQJ
bcytbctc@bcbuildingtrades.org
Letters must include your name, address, phone
number and, where relevant, union affiliation, 'ROODUV 7KH%&%XLOGLQJ7UDGHVZLOOEHFROOHFWLQJ
GRQDWLRQVIRUWKH8%&&HQWUHIRU5HVHDUFKLQ
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Shawn Luke cartoon
4 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015
From the editor tom sigurdson
Clearly, not all
politicians are
the same
in less than six months we will go to
the polls to elect a new group of
Parliamentarians. Should one political
to our concerns and hold MPs account-
able for how they vote in the House of
Commons. But before we can hold the
Legislative Conference in Ottawa in
May, Matt Wayland, the political director
and media strategist for the IBEW,
party end up with more than 170 MPs, politicians accountable, we have to elect unveiled the national building trades’
it will form a majority government. If no the right politicians which means all campaign, launched by several of the
political party achieves that number, we members of the BC Building Trades national building trades affiliates, which
will have a minority government or per- have to vote. will take us through the general election
haps a coalition government. At the Canadian Building Trades on Oct. 19.
Regardless of the government we Let’s Build Canada (http://www.
elect; majority, minority, or coalition, letsbuildcanada.ca/) is a positive cam-
working Canadians deserve a govern- paign designed to reach out to building
ment that respects the role of labour trades members and their families to
and understands the contribution that promote our issues and concerns as we
we as workers bring to society. get ready to elect a new government.
The Harper Conservatives have not Follow along on Twitter
been friendly to the labour movement. @LetsBuildCanada as well. Our issues
In fact, the Harper Conservative gov- are important and deserve to be heard
ernment is arguably the most hostile by the politicians and the general public.
government labour has had to deal with If we don’t voice our concerns and
since Canada became a nation almost get out and vote, we will fail. We will get
150 years ago. another government that doesn’t care
Every time a national union went on to understand our issues or, worse yet,
strike, the Harper Conservatives deliberately ignores our issues. We need
ordered the workers to return to work to vote (or better yet, volunteer) for
within hours or days of the strike. worker-friendly candidates so that after
Advantage: employers. When there the election we can work with politi-
were Canadians skilled, willing, and able cians who will stand proudly with us
to perform any number of jobs, the and recognize that the men and women
Harper Conservatives allowed numer- in our trades do indeed build Canada.
ous employers to bring in temporary
foreign workers. Advantage: employers.
When anti-union interests wanted to
further undermine the role of unions in The building Trades—Who we are
our society, the Harper Conservatives
brought in bills C-377 and C-525 which, Phone Web address
B.C. Building and
by design, limit the collective strength of Construction Trades Council 778-397-2220 www.bcbuildingtrades.org
workers through their unions. Again, the
employers win. affiliated unions
We need to elect a government that Boilermakers Lodge 359 778-369-3590 www.boilermakers359.org
is respectful and worker friendly. Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2 604-584-2021 www.bac2bc.org
The unions that make up the Building Cement Masons & Plasterers Local 919 604-585-9198 www.opcmia919.org
Trades in Canada have half a million Construction & Specialized Workers Local 1611 604-541-1611 www.cswu1611.org
members. That is a lot of votes. The sad Electrical Workers Local 1003 (Nelson) 250-354-4177 www.ibew1003.org
reality is that a lot of us don’t bother to
Heat and Frost Insulators Local 118 604-877-0909 www.insulators118.org
vote. We rationalize this failure by saying
“My vote doesn’t count” or “All politi- IUPAT District Council 38 604-524-8334 www.dc38.ca
cians are the same” or “It doesn’t mat- Ironworkers Local 97 604-879-4191 www.ironworkerslocal97.com
ter because once they are elected they Operating Engineers Local 115 604-291-8831 www.iuoe115.com
never do anything.” Those excuses are Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 324 250-382-0415 www.ualocal324.com
hideous and shameful. Refrigeration Workers Local 516 604-882-8212 www.ua516.org
Your vote does count. Clearly, from Sheet Metal, Roofers and
the Harper example, not all politicians Production Workers Local 280(Vancouver) 604-430-3388 www.smw280.org
are the same. Sheet Metal, Roofers and
Once a government is elected, one of Production Workers Local 276 (Victoria) 250-727-3458 www.smwia276.ca
the jobs for the leadership of our orga- Teamsters Local 213 604-876-5213 www.teamsters213.org
nizations is to make governments listen UNITE HERE Local 40 604-291-8211 www.uniteherelocal40.org
Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 5
New boilermakers
eager to get to work
Boilermaker Lodge 359
Shane Dyson photo
Recent graduates of the foundation program were inducted into the Boilermakers
By Leslie Dyson Lodge 259 and were given a tour of the union's training facility in Aldergrove:
The 16 apprentices who’ve just com- (front row) Training Co-ordinator Gord Weel with apprentices Richard Gray,
pleted the 6-month foundation boiler- Mathew Leggett, Terry Alexcee, Zephen Rheaume, Micah Mitchell, Shantelle
maker course at BCIT are fired up and Wood, Keith Lockhart, and Dean Kent; (back row) Gerald Angus, Clifford
eagerly waiting for their new union, Warburton, and Tristan Jensen.
Boilermakers Lodge 359, to dispatch
them to their first job. “At times, it was unbelievably crazy,” he heard you can’t get bored doing it
All the students in the recent cohort said, “but it really helped out.” because you never stop learning,”
received 70% or higher and were rec- He and his classmates formed a solid Leggett said. “I love working with my
ommended by instructor George bond and then were off to BCIT for hands and I love rigging—lifting heavy
Velonis for membership to the union. the foundation program taught by loads.
Following their induction at Lodge Velonis, also a member of Lodge 359. “I learned more in a week at BCIT
359’s union hall and training centre in “Training was awesome. I had fun all than I did in months at high school
Aldergrove in March, their names were the way through. The six months flew because everything mattered to me.”
added to the apprenticeship board. by.” The program covers welding, rig- He enjoyed the course work, “espe-
“I’m really excited to get my first job ging, fabricating, and an introduction to cially how we helped each other” and
and get going,” said Dean Kent. I’m all aspects of the boilermaker trade. the instructor. “Oh yeah, I’ll be keeping
doing labour right now just to keep Kent is drawn to metal. “There are in contact with [instructor] George for
myself busy…There are 44 ahead of so many things you can do with it. a while. It’s a brotherhood.”
me on the [dispatch] list, but I expect What a carpenter feels he can do with Leggett said he was surprised at how
to be out in a week and a half.” wood, I feel I can do with metal. hard he worked. “I didn’t try that hard
Four years ago, Kent, now 34 years “Don’t get me wrong. The money is in high school. I learned that I can put
old, picked up a pamphlet about the good, but it’s just an added bonus. And in 100% effort.” He also acknowledged
boilermaker trade. “It caught my atten- we get paid to travel. That’s another the support he received from his
tion because I like working with metal.” bonus! brothers and his father Len who is a
He completed his Grade 12 through “I want to go where the money’s millwright at Teck in Trail.
the Native Education College in good and where the hours are. I have Leggett, whose mother is Cree/Metis,
Vancouver and then hooked up with 31 years to make it happen. I’m looking also took advantage of ACCESS. “I
ACCESS (Aboriginal Community forward to hitting this job hard.” wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for
Career Employment Services) in ACCESS. The math teacher Ivan [Kiss]
Vancouver. Kent is from the Ojibwa At just 19, Matt Leggett is getting is a great guy. None of us knew any-
Nation outside of Winnipeg. an early start on his career. He was thing. We were not prepared, but we
ACCESS provides a pre-apprentice drawn to the trade because his broth- learned together how to get prepared.”
program that focuses on trade math. ers, Tim and Eric, are boilermakers. “I Leggett’s brother Tim was also invit-
6 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015
Tristan Jensen
Instructor George Velonis
Richard Gray
Joshua Berson photos
ed to the program to bring a message problem solving of it and I really love He said he came to appreciate all the
about the importance of working the welding. I found out that boilermak- math that was required in the ACCESS
together. “You can’t emphasize that ers are some of the best welders in the program. “It was two months of hard-
enough,” Leggett said. world. And I really enjoy the traveling core math. The BCIT math turned out
“I’m just waiting for my first job. It aspect of the trade. It’s pretty cool. If to be easier because of it and we didn’t
shouldn’t take too long.” you like hunting like I do, you can do have to spend as much time on it.”
Having to move from job to job is no some hunting and fishing in different There are so many options open he
hardship. “I get paid to travel! I like spots.” said he’s not sure what he’ll settle on.
traveling even when I’m not working so Rigging and fabrication have an appeal,
it’s a win-win. I have family all over.” Terry Alexcee, from the Nisga’a he said. “But I found out that welding is
Nation, said that, although he took all one of my strengths…George was a
Shantelle Wood feels she’s finally the shop classes in high school that he very good teacher for us. We got to try
found her place. She ran into a child- could, he did not know much about the MIG welding. I really like that. And we
hood friend who is now working as a boilermaker trade. But the staff at tried out the plasma torch.”
pressure welder. “I saw his pay cheque ACCESS saw that he liked to take
and said ‘Yeah, that’s where I’m going.’ things apart and put them back togeth- Zephen Rheume, from the Lake
Back then, it was looking pretty sad. A er again. St. Martin Nation in Manitoba, said he
single parent living on minimum wage.” At 42, and with 6 children and two was drawn to the boilermaker trade
Wood, from the Lax Kw’alaams grandchildren, Alexcee was looking for because “You get a good workout from
Nation (near Prince Rupert), has a six- a solid career. He had several jobs it [and] I wanted good pay, good bene-
year-old daughter. “I’m going to be a before signing up for the boilermaker fits, and a career for a lifetime. [Lodge]
boilermaker. It means happier times trade. 359 has really good benefits and takes
when she’s growing up. She can rely on “I had a blast in school. They let me care of its members.” Those are impor-
me. I’m doing it for her.” play with fire and let me melt stuff and tant factors in light of the fact that
The trade has proven to be a perfect I didn’t get into trouble for it,” he Rheume has two very young children.
fit. “I love the diversity of it and not laughed. “And it’s on a much greater He said he likes welding, the
always doing the same job. I like the scale!” continued on next page
Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 7
continued on next page
machines that have to be maintained, and the size of the
projects. “They can be massive, way bigger than you, and
you get a real sense of accomplishment.” He’s also looking
forward to helping with efforts to produce cleaner energy
and find more viable energy sources. “I’d rather we be as
efficient as possible. There have been lots of different
advancements.”
Rheume’s plan is to “build up a good skills set” and then
look at management, estimating, and power and mechani-
cal engineering. “I want to see what I’m good at and then
start putting money into my pension.”
Gord Weel, the apprenticeship coordinator for Lodge
359, said the union likes the format of the foundation pro-
gram (23 weeks and two 5-week upgrades), offered at
BCIT. “We think it works for us,” Weel said. “It’s a good
screening technique.”
BCIT offers two foundation courses as well as Level 1
and 2 apprenticeship programs every year.
Lodge 359 has just piloted a Level 2 program at its own
training site and is now piloting a Level 3 program in
order to get accreditation from the Industry Training
Authority.
Spring and fall are the busiest seasons for boilermakers.
Members often work 10-hour days, seven days a week for
two weeks, Weel said.
Boilermakers work on tanks, pressure vessels, and boil-
ers in refineries and pulp mills.
About 90% of the work requires travel and apprentices
are encouraged to go where they’re assigned so they
receive a broad range of experience.
“It’s a good trade. There are so many different things
you can do,” Weel said. “We call it ‘The best kept secret.’” Mathew Leggett
Shantelle Wood
Joshua Berson photos
8 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015
Apprentices appreciate the
support from their unions
By Lon Roberts
doors for me and given me skills that I will use for the rest of
The BC Building Trades invited apprentices from several
trades to talk about what union apprenticeships mean
to them. They spoke to delegates at the council’s convention
my life no matter what happens.”
James Knowles, Operating Engineers Local 115
“I took a pay cut to run cranes [on a non-union site]. I
in February. loved working on them and I was the go-to guy for 60 to 70
Evan Tuzzi, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2 other guys. Then I met an OE. He said, ‘Listen, you have to go
“We have to keep the trades strong so we can raise fami- to school and do it properly.’ I went from being a trainer back
lies from within them.” He suggested that a good way to do down to the beginning. But it gave me a complete support
this would be to “get your kids to join the union.” The con- network. I could call a journeyperson and call the union and
vention delegates laughed. Evan is the son of Rob Tuzzi, busi- other apprentices. Now I’m a couple of hours away from a
ness manager of Local 2. Red Seal [certificate] and I love it. The trade is giving me a
He said non-union sites are often “disorganized and messy good income. The union has given me the right training and I’d
and have poor safety procedures. I prefer working union any be happy to change roles again and be able to teach young
day. I’m just proud to be union. It’s brought me a long way and people.”
I want to continue in the union until retirement.” Kareen Martell, Cement Masons Local 919
Sara Wilson, Sheet Metal Workers Local 276 “It’s very hard to work in this male-dominated industry. We
“The hands-on gives you confidence. There are always jour- need gender equality but the union’s mentorship program is
neypersons to hear your questions and help you out.” wonderful.”
Stephanie Hill, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 516 Keith Brown, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2
“It’s difficult for women for sure but I still love what I do “I was working in cement masonry—non union—and I got
and love going to work. We need more men to support hurt and there was no one to advocate for me. I’m in the
women in their trades and mentor them.” union now. They saw that I have skills. And I have an advocate.
Ashley Duncan, Insulators Local 118 Without that I wouldn’t be in a good place right now. I’d like
“I started with a company that decertified and my training to see improvements to the system. There are too many
went off the track. I’m back in the union and back on track. administrative bodies looking after apprenticeships.”
The union really stepped up to help me. It’s opened many Jana Little, Ironworkers Local 97
“When my friends hear I’m an ironworker, they think it’s
cool and awesome. I’m proud to be in the trades and I pro-
mote the union. I go into the high schools and talk to grade
10 to 12 ladies and tell them to try the trades. We have to
make sure apprentices have someone to talk to. We have a
great apprentice co-ordinator. We have to do more to get
into schools and we need more funding in place.”
“Trades training is a
hot topic these days, but
few people are actually
talking to apprentices about
it.
“One of our key issues is
the lack of apprenticeship
places on public pro-
jects…80% of training is on
work sites which means we
need more employers to
sponsor apprentices.
“The B.C. government
Canadian activist, writer, and musician Nora Loreto should reward employers
explains unions to people of her generation who have who indenture apprentices
little experience with organized labour and she challenges and it can lead by example
unions to examine their outreach strategies in the face of by introducing apprentice-
a new generation of workers who have grown up under ship quotas on all public
neoliberalism. She offers suggestions for what unions can projects. It can also tell
do to grow, fight for social justice, and continue to win Crown corporations and
improvements for all workers. other government services to indenture apprentices.
Purchase the book for $20
“As an apprentice, I have been successful because I have
($12/copy for orders +15)
a great union that places me with different employers so
The e-book is available for $5. that I get the on-the-job training I need.”— Stephanie Hill,
Visit: policyalternatives.ca/demonized-organized. Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 516, 3rd-year apprentice.
Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 9
Women recruiting
women into the trades
By Lon Roberts last resort, that it’s a dead-end job, or
A group of women in the trades with that women can’t do it.” She then listed
ideas about what can be done to the reasons why women should want
encourage more women to enter the to pick up the tools: “great pay, good
construction trades were in Victoria in benefits, advancement, training, endless
February. They were invited by the BC opportunities...”
Building Trades to talk to delegates Sarah Hansby, a refrigeration mechan-
attending the convention. They also met ic from Local 516, noted that a serious
with Liberal and New Democrat MLAs shortfall of skilled tradespeople is
and joined in the council’s lobbying expected by 2019. “We want your sup-
efforts. port in getting more women in the
Lisa Langevin, Electrical Workers trades.”
Local 213, told the convention delegates Her local union sister, refrigeration
that women still represent just 2% in mechanic Stephanie Hill, said several
some trades even though many are pre- women in the trades are attending
dicting a shortfall of skilled workers in trade shows and visiting high schools to
just a few years. help young women see the trades as
The non-union sector is particularly good career options. She invited the
notorious for not hiring women, she delegates to put forward the names of
added. “So we are your biggest support- women in their local unions who can
ers!” she told the union leaders. help spread the word.
Langevin was highly supportive of ini- Hill also urged the union leaders to
tiatives undertaken by the Canadian press for gender-inclusive language in
Building Trades Unions. “Single parent- their collective agreements and encour-
hood is a roadblock,” she said. “A age their women members to form
national childcare policy is a no brainer. committees within their unions.
Our main goal is to increase our num- “We hope you support us going for-
bers so we can take on these big ward,” she said. “We just want to work
issues.” with you guys.”
Langevin also talked about the dis- Sarina Hanschke, from the Labourers
crimination that some women face. “In Local 1611, said many women currently
the North, there are women on con- in the trades are working hard to
struction sites and women supervisors. encourage other women to join them.
They have a zero-tolerance [harass- They’re raising funds to fight breast can-
ment] policy. There is no inquiry. If a cer, helping with Habitat for Humanity “I think it was really important
man screws up, he's fired." projects, lobbying politicians, and build-
She acknowledged the efforts of the ing alliances with other women. “We’re for members of the B.C.
B.C. Industry Training Authority in try- giving back to the community.” Legislature to talk to women who
ing to encourage more women to enter Bob Blakely, from the Canadian
the trades, but said, “we have to look at Building Trades Council, told the dele- are actively involved in the con-
retention. More go in than finish.” gates, “If we get a lock on women in the struction industry. We need to
The trades are still dealing with out- trades, no one can touch us. So support
dated perceptions that “the trades are a this please.” expand initiatives to help draw
more women into the trades and
Sarina Hanschke, Stephanie Hill,
Sara Hansby, Lisa Langevin and there’s no one better informed
Tom Sigurdson
than the women who have made it
in this industry. There’s a lot more
work we need to do. We will need
to continue an active dialogue
between legislators and women in
Joshua Berson photo
the trades. These meetings were
an important first step in starting
the conversation.” —Sarina
Hanschke, Labourers Local 1611
10 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015McGill recognized for
pulling the council
through tough times
By Lon Roberts of Teamsters. once it came apart, it would never
Don McGill, former president of the McGill was instrumental in restruc- come back together.” McGill and the
BC Building Trades and retired secre- turing the BC Building Trades council other principal officers came up with a
tary treasurer of Teamsters Local 213, and hired its first executive director, new structure, “which we’re working
was presented with an honourary life Tom Sigurdson. And that’s what McGill under today.”
membership to the BCBT at the coun- wanted to talk about when he was The day-to-day functions of the
cil’s convention in February. called up to receive his plaque. council are now managed by the execu-
Walter Canta, Local 213 secretary “The building trades were very close tive director who remains at arm’s
treasurer, presented the award to to not being here at all in 1997,” he length from the bargaining council.
McGill for his “commitment to trade said. “We went through one helluva lot McGill told the delegates, “I’m
unionism and the struggle of working in the late ’70s and early ’80s…Interest thrilled to see you today and still thriv-
people.” rates were 21% and nothing was mov- ing!” Then, with a message to the lead-
Canta told the delegates that McGill ing. But when the industry came back ers of the affiliated unions, he said, “You
began his career in the construction together, the contracts went to the can come to that table, but it takes a
industry with the purchase of his first general contractors and from the gen- leader to stay at the table, and I wish
truck when he was just a teenager. He erals to the subs and we had a helluva you well in the future.”
worked in the far North, hauled fuel lot of control. But non-union compa- Executive Director Tom Sigurdson
for Arrow Transport, and served as a nies started surfacing.” made a point of thanking Lynn McGill,
business agent for the union. Within That pressure, combined with the Don’s wife, for her indirect support of
two years he was assistant to the sec- problem of having the council and the the BC Building Trades during those
retary treasurer and shortly after bargaining council headed by the same very difficult years. "Lynn sacrificed a
that he held the top position. He went person, resulted in divisions among the lot of family time with Don to make
on to become an international VP affiliated members. “The council was certain we could rebuild the council,"
for the International Brotherhood about to blow up!” McGill said. “But Sigurdson said.
At Concert we’re proud to have the support of the shareholders represented by the union and
em pension funds who own our company. They recognize our commitment to quality and
support us in our efforts to remain one of Canada’s leading real estate companies. In turn,
Concert has contributed more than $102 million to our shareholders’ pension, health and
WELFAREÒBENEµTÒPLANS
With the continued support of our union shareholders, our future looks bright. And because
they stand for all we do, we’re proud to stand with them.
Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 11The new Port Mann Bridge, an
unforgettable project for the many
members of Ironworkers Local 97
who worked on its construction and
the deconstruction of the old bridge.
Ironworker's story bridges
the past and the present
By Claudia Ferris contractor and was the only concrete
Dave Millne has been an ironworker suspension bridge in North America.”
for 61 years. When he was 17 years old Millne has seen dramatic changes in
in 1953, he was working weekends and technology and safety protocols in his
feeling like he wasn’t getting anywhere. trade. In the early days, ironworkers did
He had heard that the province was not have access to the big cranes and
Photos courtesy of Ironworkers Local 97
going to expand and there would be a equipment in use now. “When I started,
big need for labour to build major pro- we didn’t tie off, you climbed and you
jects. His mother worked with the wife walked the iron. We’d have to leap from
of a union business agent, who arranged beam to beam, and you’d slide down
for him to meet the union rep on the cables on suspension bridges and it was
street. He was sent the next day to a just wild.”
job site. Armed with a slip of paper Millne saw co-workers hurt and killed
from the union, some gloves, a hard hat as a result of employer disregard for
and boots, Millne was immediately put safety. He worked on construction of
to work. the Second Narrows Bridge in 1957,
He said, “The first day, I sorted bolts. but left the job for a week in 1958 to
The second day, they said, ‘Okay kid, get take work in Prince Rupert. While he
up there.’ We didn’t have apprentices was gone, several of the bridge spans
and school in those days. We learned on collapsed, plunging 79 workers more
the job. So you had to do your work as than 40 metres into the water. Eighteen
an apprentice and learn to be a jour- of his co-workers were killed in the Also unforgettable, the collapse of the
neyperson. And that’s how it all began.” incident and another 20 were seriously Second Narrows Bridge in 1958,
Over the years, Millne was sent out injured. It was the worst industrial dis- renamed the Ironworkers' Memorial
on many memorable jobs. “I worked on aster in B.C.’s history. Bridge in honour of the 18 ironworkers
bridges all over the province. One A Royal Commission inquiry into the killed and 20 others seriously injured.
bridge, I worked a hundred miles north collapse attributed the cause to mis-
of Stewart in the bush, and we cut trees takes made by the bridge engineers
down to make the falsework (tempo- who designed a falsework pillar that year so they’re not forgotten.”
rary support) over the river. We had was not strong enough to support the (Ironworkers Local 97 and
bears all around us, and we spread span. Millne lost many good friends in WorkSafeBC will hold the annual com-
honey on the foreman’s window for the the tragedy. “It was very traumatic when memorative ceremony at 1 p.m. at the
bears. And another one was at Hudson I had to go to more than one funeral,” memorial site near the south end of the
Hope, which was built by a German he said. “We have a memorial every Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows
12 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015Crossing on June, 17, 2015.) is still involved in his union, attending all
Millne went back to work on the their meetings, running riveting shows,
bridge and recounted one close call. “I 50-50 draws, and whatever else is
was inside the cord when they were needed.
rebuilding it and the whole bridge Millne recommends that young men
crashed and shook. The line on the der- and women looking for a career in the
rick had broken and the cord smashed trades consider becoming an ironwork-
into the side of the derrick, and every- er. “It’s given me a feeling of worth to
thing shook. I was inside this cord and I be a journeyperson, and it’s given me
hollered out to my partner “What hap- security, and a pension. Ironworkers are
pened?” and nobody was there. There fantastic people to work with and all
wasn’t a sound anywhere. And I’m inside the jobs are interesting, one way or
the steel girder, so I got out and found another. You will never be doing the
out it wasn’t going to fall down this same thing, and never working in the
time.” same spot.” David Millne
By the time the bridge was
completed in 1960, there were 23
deaths in total.
Millne’s fearless attitude earned him
the nickname Davy Crockett. He said
he appreciates that his union has con-
tinually worked to improve safety and
training. “The union was important
because there was a future there. We
had security and training. We are a fami-
ly and we stick together for each other.
And it’s been that way all through.”
The living wage that Millen brought
home as an ironworker allowed him to
support his family, which now includes
grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He
Another great achievement, the Golden
Ears Bridge linking Langley to Maple
Ridge and completed in 2009.
You’ve got their backs.
ours?
Who’s got yours?
Unions are built on the foundation of looking out for yyour
our
members and ensuring they’re well prprotected.
otected. AAtt MNP
MNP,,
we’re no different. Our assurance practice is tailor
tailored
ed to
meet the unique demands of unions, ensuring that yyou’ve
ou’ve
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equirements and ar aree well
positioned to fully support your organizational
our organizational goals.
We’ve got your back, contact Farhan CPA,
arhan Shaheen, CPA, CA
at 604.949.2124 or farhan.shaheen@mnp.ca
Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 13Brynn Bourke photo
Ron Harry (LNG Canada), Harneek Khurana
(LNG Canada), Allan Bruce (BC LNG
Premier's Working Group), Tony Santavenere
(Teamsters Local 213), and Chris Reid
(Pacific Northwest LNG) were among the
participants at the event.
Owners and labour talking together
Construction is hierarchical by nature. The apprentice looks Alberta, B.C.’s future continues to look full of activity.
to the journeyperson, the journeyperson to the supervisor, Shabbir Hakim gave a presentation on how ACTIMS works
the supervisor to the contractor, the contractor to the gener- to ensure stakeholder turnarounds and ongoing maintenance
al, and the general liaises with the owner. projects are fully staffed with skilled, qualified, experienced,
This may work on a job site, but it’s a bad way to communi- and professional tradespeople. If construction begins to boom
cate when projects are still in the planning stages. in B.C., models such as ACTIMS will attract and retain the
With tens of billions of dollars in major projects on the best people from around the province and Canada, he said.
horizon, the BC Building Trades is flipping the paradigm and This was the second dinner reception bringing labour and
bringing owners and labour representatives together to dis- owners together. Both groups felt it was a positive experience.
cuss how to move projects forward. “The BC Building Trades are going to be so important to
Industry representatives met with members from the BC the development of our industry,” said David Keane, president
Building Trades on April 21 for a special reception with pre- of the BC LNG Alliance.
sentations from BuildForce Canada and the Alberta Council of “It’s important to have potential clients view our represen-
Turnaround Industry Maintenance Stakeholders (ACTIMS). tation positively,” said Rob Tuzzi, business manager for
Bob Collins, from BuildForce, talked about the construction Bricklayers Local 2. “It’s a chance to network and explore how
economic and labour forecast for B.C. and Western Canada. we can work together to see the completion of successful
While oil prices may have depressed economic activity in projects.”
Administration
IRONWORKERS LOCAL 97
6891 MacPherson Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5J 4N2
Ph: 604-879-4191, Fax: 604-879-1110
Toll Free Number 1-866-562-2597
info@ironworkerslocal97.com
Building BC and the Yukon Territory Business Manager
for over 108 years JamesLeland
President
Secure your CecilDamery
Family’s Future RS MEMORIAL BRIDGE
Business Agent
IRON WORKE LaurenceBaker
with Excellent DougParton
Pension and Apprenticeship and
Health & Trade Improvement
Ph: 604-874-6010
Welfare Benefits DerekDinzey
Co-ordinator
14 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015construction jobs.
The LNG picture today “Some people in government were
doing some wishful thinking and hoping for
that, but I don’t think anyone in govern-
ment really believed it. Project proposals
By Chris Montgomery good is coming. come, project proposals go. We always
A sharp drop in oil and gas prices and Barry Munro, Canadian oil and gas prac- want to see investment in a project actual-
stiff competition for markets have compli- tice leader for EY, said in April that the ly get under way, but we are cautiously
cated the vision of just how B.C.’s liquid firm still believes Canada has “all the ele- optimistic. And we will do what we can to
natural gas (LNG) future might unfold. ments right to have a world-class LNG ready ourselves for those final invest-
But with a huge merger in April business, so we ought not to be concerned ments.”
between Royal Dutch Shell and the BG or discouraged.” Sigurdson also made it clear that the
Group, there is a massive liquefied natural Tom Sigurdson, executive director of the fate of proposed gas projects is only one
gas player on the scene, and optimism – BC Building Trades, is realistic about the piece of the trades-training puzzle.
“cautious optimism” – that at least one of speculation on the timing and likelihood of “Regardless of the number of LNG pro-
18 projects proposed for the west coast the projects. jects that ever come to fruition, demo-
will get a final investment decision “(The companies) are taking a look at graphics show that there is going to be a
this year. how best to proceed. Commodity prices retirement rush in the next number of
The promise of a booming LNG sector have gone down a fair bit in the last short years. Whether we train for LNG or con-
and a generation of jobs to build it arose while. But there is an ever-increasing struction workers for other projects, we
during the last provincial election, but has demand for clean energy sources, especial- still have to do training.”
since been tempered by a growing interna- ly in Asia, and they’re try-
tional supply and falling prices. ing to secure markets and
Rich Coleman, B.C.’s natural gas devel- be certain they’re making
opment minister, said talks continue with the right investments.
industry players and that the province still “All of them are mov-
expects three projects online by 2020, ing along (through the
pushed along by a low Canadian dollar, the decision process) fast.
possibility of new federal tax breaks, and Nobody is pulling the pin
companies setting aside oil work to focus yet, so that’s a good sign.
on LNG instead. “Everyone watching
Industry analysts, who have been track- these developments is
ing “anxiety” among big players in the field, anticipating some final
now say the recent merger between Shell investment decision in
and BG has created an LNG powerhouse late 2015 or early 2016.”
that can sort priorities on the coast and And how does he think
get on with decisions. the very crowded field of
The most likely prediction out of the proposals will look when
merger was that the $40-billion LNG the dust settles?
Canada project led by Shell would move Sigurdson predicts that
Shawn Luke cartoon
up the priority list and BG’s plans for “one or two” of them
Ridley Island in Prince Rupert would move will get the nod by next
down because these plans are less year, but “not the 18 pro-
advanced. jects, not all of them.
Still, as the province awaits decisions No one ever believed
on the remaining proposals as well, that. We are not
analysts remain confident something looking at 100,000
UNION
U NION MEMBERS—SAVE
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Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 15No data collection, no plan
By David Hogben know what’s going on with the program without knowing the basic
Temporary Foreign Worker Program. facts. Without a temporary foreign
Thousands of temporary foreign “One of the problems we have is the worker registry, B.C. doesn´t even
workers, who had been in Canada government does no tracking of tempo- know what foreign workers are doing.
more than four years, were ordered rary foreign workers in this province. So “We have repeatedly asked the gov-
out April 1. we don’t really know what jobs they are ernment to put in place a registry like
This latest twist in the long-running doing,” Lanzinger said. that, but they have to date refused,” said
temporary foreign worker crisis gener- “We haven’t seen the numbers, but if Lanzinger.
ated headlines across the country. there are reduced numbers of tempo- Fréchette tried to determine
Worker shortages and potential busi- rary foreign workers, we say there are whether there really was a shortage of
ness failures loomed. The Calgary-based some clear solutions: Raise the wages the lower skilled workers, the category
think tank, the Canada West and provide better working conditions, that has grown so rapidly over the past
Foundation, issued warnings in its and people will come and take your decade. He could not get an answer to
report Work interrupted: How federal jobs.” that simple question.
foreign worker rule changes hurt the Jean-Denis Fréchette, the parliamen- In a report to Parliament in March,
West. tary budget officer responsible for pro- Fréchette’s office said the lack of infor-
But as B.C. Federation of Labour viding independent analysis on the state mation about labour markets did not
President Irene Lanzinger told of the nation’s finances and Lanzinger allow it “to draw robust conclusions
Tradetalk, B.C. and Ottawa really don’t argue you can't develop rules for the about whether labour markets are real-
ly tight and whether there is a real need
for temporary workers.”
It's quite clear, however, how the
number of temporary foreign workers
increased from just over 100,000 (2002)
to 338,000 (2012).
Much of the growth between 2002
and the 2009 recession was due to the
government’s decision to make it much
easier to import foreign workers in the
lower-skilled hospitality industry.
B.C. and Alberta generated huge
growth in the low-skilled category. So
much so, that the parliamentary budget
office found that B.C. and Alberta were
the only provinces in 2012 that had a
higher share of temporary foreign
workers than the national average.
“We had a really large growth in tem-
José Lam cartoon
porary foreign workers in the food ser-
vice and hospitality industry,”
Lanzinger said.
Temporary foreign workers have
been part of the Canadian economy
International Union of Bricklayers and
Allied Craftworkers—Local #2 B.C.
Proud Promoters I.U.B.A.C.—Proudly serving members of
the trowel trades in B.C. since 1898
and Trainers in
For information on membership
the Masonry or training, please contact
Rob Tuzzi, President
and Tile Industries Enzo Centis, Secrectary-Treasurer
12309 Industrial Road , Surrey B.C V3V 3S4
Phone 604-584-2021
Vice Chair — Paolo Perozzo; Vice Chair — Dave Rosemeyer; Vice Chair — Tony Sarangelo
Prince George Chapter Chair — Brian Helgeson; Vancouver Island Chapter Chair —Karl Jones;
Vancouver/Burnaby Chapter Chair — Garry Winkler
Brick Masons — Tile Setters — Corrosion and Refractory Workers —Stone Masons — Terrazzo Workers —Marble Masons — P.C.C. and Restoration
16 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015since the 1960s. Tom Sigurdson, execu-
tive director of the BC Building Trades,
said it´s a program vital to the B.C.
construction sector.
Underground economy
“When the temporary foreign work-
er program was first introduced has to be stopped
decades ago it really was to bring in
skilled workers when there was a
shortage. Now the program has been Business Manager Chris Feller,
abused to the point where employers Cement Masons Local 919
who do not want to pay market value
bring in temporary foreign workers to
fill low-skilled jobs.”
The B.C. Building Trades and the B.C.
Federation of Labour participated in
the LNG working group which recom-
mended that the province aspire to
have apprentices fill 25% of the posi-
tions of apprenticeable jobs on poten-
tial LNG projects. Sigurdson said this
goal should apply to all public projects
if B.C. is going to train the next genera-
tion of trades people.
Although the Canada West
Foundation found that limiting the num-
ber of temporary workers could cause
shortages in the short term, currently This spring, the BC Building Trades made a concerted effort to lobby
unemployed Canadians could benefit in provincial politicians on issues important to the trades. Nearly 100 construc-
the longer term. With fewer foreign tion workers met with 46 Members of the B.C. Legislature on Feb. 18.
workers, employers and governments “This year, the Building Trades made our concerns with the underground
would need to find ways to increase economy a key pillar of our lobbying strategy in Victoria,” said Chris Feller,
the labour force within the Canadian head of Cement Masons Local 919.
population. "This includes finding ways “As tradespeople, we see the effects of the underground economy every
to increase participation of under-rep- day. There are whole sectors of our industry where legitimate contractors
resented populations in the workforce, cannot compete because they are bidding against companies that use cash
especially people with disabilities and under the table, undocumented workers, and skirt WorkSafeBC and EI pre-
Aboriginal people," the foundation said miums by declaring their workers as ‘independent contractors’.
in its report. “We wanted to make sure that legislators in Victoria understood the full
The C.D. Howe Institute set out to scope of the problem.
determine if temporary work shortages “Our statistics from the old Joint Compliance Teams that monitored the
existed at all. But like Lanzinger and underground economy found that there was $44.5 million in unpaid taxes
Fréchette, it found the basic informa- and that the B.C. government and WorkSafeBC were losing over $84 million
tion just not available. The institute said annually.
it couldn’t judge whether the program “We need politicians to take action and launch investigative teams to
was needed in its present form because stamp out underground economy activities in construction.”
the government does not collect infor-
mation about job vacancies.
Summer 2015 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 17Canada complicit in
Colombian labour troubles
Joshua Berson photo
Members of the Colombian army on
the march, intimidating citizens in a
small community that is standing firm
in the face of corporate interests.
Tradetalk reporter David Hogben carries David Hogben, shortly after his
his labour perspective to Colombia and officers who advised me that taking
photos and video of the border with- encounter with teargas and his rescue
even Tradetalk magazine plays a small by Indigenous Nasa people.
part in his story of throwing himself into out authorization was illegal. They said I
harm’s way while investigating had also wandered across the border.
Canada’s role in Colombia’s suppression The first officer wanted to know
of trade unions, agricultural workers, what I was doing and why I was taking
and the indigenous people. Here’s part video of the border. The other watched
of his report. sternly for any discomfort on my part.
By David Hogben Canada surprised a lot of people
when it declared Colombia a “preferred
So there I was, recording video of the destination” for small-arms exports—
highly militarized Colombian- including armoured personnel carriers
Venezuelan border, hoping to catch the which look a lot like tanks—in
Canadian-built armoured personnel December 2012. Canadian arms export ESMAD, have used armoured personnel
carriers on patrol, when I learned that policies prohibit selling arms to coun- carriers in brutal attacks against block-
writing for a labour magazine like tries where they will likely be used ades by native Colombians.
Tradetalk can sometimes come in against their own populations. In one attack, near the Pacific coast,
handy, especially if detained by The Canadian government defended children were tossed to their deaths in
Venezuelan immigration. the sale saying the weapons were only the river. A national strike by agricultur-
The 32-armoured personnel carriers being sold to state security forces: the al workers was also brutally suppressed
manufactured by General Dynamics military and the national police. But in with the use of armoured vehicles.
Land Systems in London, Ontario, were Colombia, two of the greatest abusers And hundreds of soldiers, like some
stationed nearby, at Battalion Rondón of human rights, are the military and at Battalion Rondón, have been impli-
in Colombia. The highly weaponized the police! cated in the deaths of thousands more
vehicles which, according to the mili- So, the search for these Canadian innocent civilians assassinated by mili-
tary website, protect pipelines, natural arms led to Puerto Rubiales, where tary and police in the “false positives”
resources, and counter “criminal labour leaders are threatened with jail scandal. Unemployed Colombians were
threats.” The smuggling of cheap and death for organizing oil workers, to promised jobs, murdered, then dressed
Venezuelan gasoline across the border Cauca where native groups are occupy- up in guerrilla uniforms to make it look
fuels a wide-open, mob-dominated ing traditional territories, and Guajira as if they had been killed in combat.
economy. where police officers are assassinated At least two Canadian companies
A firm hand gripped my shoulder and police stations and customs offices have made significant exports to the
from behind and an authoritative voice are burned to the ground if the author- Colombia military.
instructed me: “Señor, accompany us to ities interfere with the contraband- In addition to the $85-million sale of
immigration.” fuelled economy. 32 General Dynamics Land Systems in
Next thing I knew, I was in an other- There was plenty of evidence. January 2013, Toronto-based INKAS
wise empty desert outbuilding with Colombian security forces, especially Armored Vehicle Manufacturing
two uniformed Venezuelan immigration the feared anti-riot squad known as announced a sale for an unspecified
18 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015B.C. coal industry
Focus on carbon capture
If any product has a public image Vancouver Sun and the Province, met healthy for decades. And yet so-called
problem, it’s coal. with newspaper editorial boards, environmental experts tell the public to
“After all, what do bad kids get for attended the Union of BC beware the dangers of coal dust from
Christmas? A lump of black, dusty coal Municipalities convention to talk to passing trains or loading ships.
instead of shiny, wonderful gifts,” said mayors and councillors, and held meet- “These unions are responsible for
Tom Sigurdson, BC Building Trades ings with MPs and MLAs. their members’ health and safety and if
executive director. Building trades and other union coal caused the illnesses that are being
It may be unpopular with environ- members are mining and shipping steel- claimed, they would know and have
mentalists, but there are few alterna- making metallurgical coal from B.C. to acted long ago.”
tives to metallurgical coal for making markets overseas, where steel is made B.C.’s coal sector employs 26,000
steel, and many developing countries to produce everything from cellphones people directly and indirectly, creates
depend on thermal coal for heat, light, to wind turbines to subway cars to sur- $3.2 billion in economic activity, and
and power, he said. gical equipment. A smaller amount of generates $715 million in tax revenues
The U.S. Energy Information thermal coal is mined and shipped from for B.C. and its cities and towns
Administration estimates global energy B.C. ports. annually.
consumption will rise 56% by 2040, “It’s been an important campaign “That means coal pays for hospitals,
with fossil fuels supplying nearly because the stakes are high,” Sigurdson schools, roads, and other public ser-
80% of it. said. “Some environmentalists have vices that we all need,” Sigurdson said.
Sigurdson said, “We know we’re made outrageous claims which have “And as that work goes on, so do the
going to be using fossil fuels 50 or 60 never been backed up. The one about important jobs of coal sector union
years out. We’ve got to find ways to coal dust killing children was nonsense. members.”
capture carbon. “Members of coal sector unions The coal coalition has created a web-
“Coal is a prime target for environ- working in mining, running coal trains, site with more information at
mental groups who mix large portions and loading coal onto ships have been www.workingwithcoal.ca
of fiction in with very few facts to criti-
cize British Columbia’s important coal
mining sector,” he added.
“Unfortunately, the damage being done
to hard-working coal miners, building
trades members, rail and longshore
workers is substantial—and unfair.”
However, that is the message increas-
ingly heard by politicians, media, and
the public.
That is why the BC Building Trades
joined with the Operating Engineers
José Lam cartoon
Local 115, the United Steelworkers, the
International Longshore and
Warehouse Union, and Teamsters
Canada Rail Conference to push back
and demand an informed debate.
The unions have had articles in the
20 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Summer 2015You can also read
