Canadian News Local 115
Canadian News Local 115 Looks for More Community Benefits Opportunities in BC “The Community Benefits model also restores the union presence to taxpayerfunded construction jobs. The record in BC shows that unions make a big contribution to the stability, productivity and safety of major projects.” “The alternative – the low-bid, low-wage, unionbusting approach taken by the previous government for more than a decade – was an embarrassing mess, with huge cost overruns and project delays.” “The new ownership allows us to re-set the labour model,” said Brian Cochrane. “The federal government has an obligation to make sure Canada’s workforce benefits from this B project. If it’s going to be a world-class project, it needs skilled, experienced workers.” “Prime Minister Trudeau and his team have said encouraging things about the role of labour in society. Now it’s time for them to deliver.” Cochrane communicated the union’s views to Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Labour and Skills Development Minister, when she visited the Local’s training site on September 18, 2018. Minister Hajdu took the opportunity to try out our new Manitowoc 8500 crawler crane, purchased with support from her Ministry as part of a program to support union training. AFTER YEARS OF being shut out from public construction projects, British Columbia’s building trades unions have signed a far-reaching agreement with the Provincial New Democratic Party government elected in 2017. The deal, concluded in summer 2018, promises opportunity for greater union engagement on public construction projects. There are also priority hiring provisions for local residents who are looking for a career in construction. IUOE Local 115 is a party to the Community Benefits Agreement through the Allied Infrastructure and Related Construction Council (AIRCC). Non-union contractors are still free to bid on key provincial projects, but a new public agency will act as the employer of record, supplying labour to all contractors. This model guarantees fair wages and working conditions for all employees on key public projects. It also provides guarantees on apprentice training and priority hiring for women and Indigenous people on construction jobs. “It’s a historic step for BC,” said Local 115 Business Manager Brian Cochrane. “It opens the way for a new generation of construction workers to get the skills they need and gain experience in a positive work environment.” To prepare for the expansion of the BC construction work force, Local 115 and allied unions are supporting the provincial government’s focus on recruiting women. The Local hosted a Young Women in Trades session in October to introduce high school students to the roadbuilding, crane and mechanic trades. BC Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training Melanie Mark attended, along with 29 young women. roadbuilding, crane and mechanic trades. BC Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training Melanie Mark attended, along with 29 young women. The first test of the BC Community Benefits Agreement is scheduled to come in 2019 with a start on the Pattullo Bridge Replacement, a .4B project at the heart of Metro Vancouver. Meanwhile, IUOE Local 115 and allied unions are looking for opportunities to expand the Community Benefits model to other jurisdictions. The Government of Canada recently acquired the Trans Mountain pipeline, where a scheduled twinning project attempted by Kinder Morgan of Houston, Texas was going nowhere. The twinning is designed to provide valuable export access to the Pacific coast for Canadian oil. [left] IUOE Local 115 Table Officers met with BC Premier John Horgan on September 11, 2018 to discuss the application of Community Benefits. L-R: Local 115 President Wayne Mills, Assistant Business Manager Josh Towsley, Premier John Horgan, Business Manager Brian Cochrane, Financial Secretary Don Swerdan. [above] Canada’s Labour Minister, Patty Hajdu, with IUOE Local 115 Training Association Instructor Wes Bauder. [right] BC’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, Melanie Mark, back row second from right, with Local 115 E-Board member Goretti Guilbault (in blue) and high school trades students. [article & photos] Ian McLeod, Local 115 18 INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER FALL 2018 19
