Tradetalk VARIETY IN OUR TRADES DIVERSITY IN OUR MEMBERSHIP - Plus: BC Building Trades
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SPRING 2018 tradetalk THE MAGAZINE OF THE BC BUILDING TRADES VOL. 21 NO. 1 WE BUILD BC™ VARIETY IN OUR TRADES DIVERSITY IN OUR MEMBERSHIP Publications Mail Agreement No. 40848506 Plus: • Building our base • Building for tomorrow
A ROLE MODEL TO HER TWO DAUGHTERS, LEADING BY EXAMPLE. Join us in encouraging and supporting our Union Sisters in achieving their goals. For over 80 years LiUNA Local 1611 has proudly supported women and men in Trades in the Province of British Columbia and the Yukon. #womenintrades
PUBLISHED BY THE tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES EDITOR Tom Sigurdson SPRING 2018 EDITORIAL SERVICES Face to Face Communications The magazine of The bC building Trades Canadian Freelance Union DESIGN/PHOTOGRAPHY Joshua Berson PhotoGraphics Ltd. UNIFOR LOCAL 780G Contents ADVERTISING Shane Dyson Canadian Freelance Union 6 Can the crisis in construction be averted? We can do better Claudia Ferris UNIFOR LOCAL 780G 8 Highlights from the B.C. Legislature Actions to date Tradetalk Magazine is published four times a year by the BC BUILDING TRADES 10 The benefits of building our base #207 88 10th St. New Westminster, B.C. Unions and First Nations working together V3M 6H8 778-397-2220 It’s time to cut the crap info@bcbuildingtrades.org Helmets to Hardhats in B.C. www.bcbuildingtrades.org All rights reserved. Material published may 17 Construction on water calls for special skills be reprinted providing permission is grant- Piledrivers Local 2404 ed and credit is given. Views expressed are those of the authors. No statements in the 20 Brothers celebrate 70 years as union brothers magazine express the policies of the BC Edward and Marcel Dupuis BUILDING TRADES, except where indicated. 21 Meet counsellor Nina Sheere and Gunnar The council represents 28 local unions Construction Industry Rehab Plan belonging to 13 international unions. There are approximately 35,000 unionized 22 Ill-fitting work work and gear a safety concern construction workers in B.C. Build TogetHER Spring 2018 23 Pledge to safety renewed each January Bentall Tower tragedy ISSN 1480-5421 Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press 27 Would a universal basic income solve all our problems? Base Subscription Rate –– Broadbent Institute report $24 Cdn. per year in Canada and the U.S. For subscriptions outside Canada and the U.S.––$32 Cdn. per year. Cover: Kyra Liddle, a fireproofer with Publications Mail Agreement No. 40848506 Cement Masons Return undeliverable Local 919, on the Canadian addresses to: Brentwood Mall #207 88 10th St. Shopping Centre New Westminster, B.C. V3M 6H8 construction site. David Holmes, President; Painters and Allied Trades Adam Van Steinberg, Vice President; Electrical Workers Brian Zdrilic, Secretary-Treasurer; Millwrights Geoff Higginson, Bricklayers & Allied Trades Hamish Stewart, BCRC Carpenters Chris Feller, Cement Masons Neil Munro, Insulators Doug Parton, Ironworkers Manuel Alvernaz, Labourers Photo: Joshua Brian Cochrane, Operating Engineers Berson Jim Noon, Plumbers and Pipefitters Jim Paquette, Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Tony Santavenere, Teamsters Tradetalk is printed on Forest Stewardship Council ® Jim Pearson, UNITE HERE certified paper from responsible sources. The FSC® is an Tom Sigurdson, Executive Director independent, not-for-profit organization promoting responsible management of the world's forests. Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 3
Starting Point We welcome your comments... “Food security through Send letters (the shorter the better) to the editor at: good jobs” workers who’d BC BUILDING TRADES Protein for People, now called the been laid off during a INFO@BCBUILDINGTRADES.ORG Union Protein Project, delivered serious recession in the late ’70s and $445,000 worth of protein to B.C. food early ’80s. Shockingly, in large part, Letters must include your name, address, phone number and, banks last year. A substantial increase is they now serve the needs of where relevant, union affiliation, trade expected this year. employed workers who can’t earn or company. The name change was made to ensure enough to live.” that the public understands that this ini- Volunteers are discussing strategies for tiative is run by union people. “We are a working with the Poverty Reduction union owned and operated charity,” said Coalition to address the root causes of President John Radosevic. poverty. The former logo, which featured a The project’s executive has worked salmon, was also changed to reflect the with the Community and Social Action fact that the protein now includes peanut Committee of the New Westminster and butter and tuna. “Food banks are very District Labour Council to hold commu- unions are active in their communities excited by the prospect, and so are we,” nity gatherings. Over the course of a than they were before the project. Phone Radosevic said. year, these functions attract a minimum and Facebook messages are all positive, Laura Lansink, executive director of of 2,000 people. The project has seen as is coverage in local media. Food Banks BC, told project volunteers success from partnerships with a sports “We’ve proven that a moderate union and supporters at a meeting in organization, a student group, and a par- investment can leverage union-labeled December that unions should never ent-teacher group. Several events are products into food banks worth about doubt the positive impact they have in planned for this year. 10 times that investment,” he said. “Then, their communities. The project began 15 years ago with add the value of public education aspects The union activists behind the project just one union, the United Food and of the project.” also see education as a priority. “Food Commercial Workers’ Union, supplying Following meetings with the Alberta Security Through Good Jobs” is the one food bank. Now over 40 unions sup- Federation of Labour and Food Banks organization’s slogan. port the Union Protein Project. “It’s diffi- Alberta, the Union Protein Project will Recent meeting minutes state: “It’s cult to measure the impact of all this,” be expanded later this year to Alberta, worth noting that when food banks first Radosevic said, “but there’s no doubt likely followed by a similar program in started they were generally relief for that many more people are aware that Ontario. Dave Barrett touched many in the building trades Dollars Dave Barrett, one of B.C.’s most colourful premiers, passed Against Diabetes away on Feb. 2 at the age of 87. Many building trades mem- bers have personal stories to tell. Barrett was an MP for five years, an MLA for twenty-five, and a radio talk-show host. Following the NDP’s election vic- tory in 1972, the Barrett government passed approximately 400 bills during its three-year term. Many initiatives (public The BC Building Trades will be collecting donations auto insurance, the Agricultural Land Reserve, Pharmacare, for the UBC Centre for Research in Childhood lowering the drinking age to 19, neighbourhood pubs, B.C. Diabetes at liquor stores throughout B.C. on June 16 Day, a ban on pay toilets, an end to strapping in schools, full (June 15 on the Island) bargaining rights for government employees, a human rights code, and improvements in social services) are with us today. Barrett headed two commissions of inquiry into the Leaky Condo Crisis in 1998 and 1999. The Barrett Commission made 82 recommendations and led to the Homeowner Protection Act. It was reported in 2002 that 90 per cent of three-and four-storey units had serious problems and that some had undergone envelope repairs several times. The BC Building Trades made several presentations to the commis- sion and supported the recommendations. Barrett’s son Joe worked as a researcher for the BC Building Trades from 1997 to 2012 and is now the Indigenous Peoples Liaison for the Labourers Local 1611. You can read more about Dave Barrett in an article by Tom Hawthorn and published on thetyee.ca–Dave Barrett: The man who changed a province. CFU-F2F With your help, someday a pen will just be for writing 4 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
From the editor tom sigurdson Community Benef its Agreements Project Labour Agreement 2.0 my experience with computer software is admittedly limited. It seems that every time I am familiar But now it is time to take that aspi- rational goal to a new level and that is where Project Labour Agreements 2.0 need to engage and bring into our unions. These are ready sources of new tradespeople who should be welcomed and comfortable with a software pro- changes the baseline. We need new into our organizations. gram, a new and improved upgrade is goals that will redefine the PLA and Community Benefits Agreements can offered and I begrudgingly accept the provide for and meet societal needs and should provide opportunities for upgrade. In time, I realize the upgrade and expectations. We need different Indigenous people, women, and new really does offer something new or provisions. In short, we need Canadians. CBAs can specify and additional and the improvement is ben- Community Benefits Agreements, enforce an apprentice workforce rate eficial. which are already in place in many of 25 per cent which would go a long For decades we have built any num- other jurisdictions in North America, way towards meeting the training ber of projects under Project Labour including Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles requirements of those 100,000 new Agreements (PLAs). Almost every sin- and, yes, Vancouver, too. tradespeople in nine years. gle legacy dam on the Peace and By 2027, B.C. will need over 100,000 We are working with the new B.C. Columbia rivers has been built under new tradespeople (70 per cent to government to create those opportu- the Allied Hydro PLA. Meanwhile, the replace those who retire and 30 per nities for apprentices: women, men, Vancouver Island Highway and the cent to meet economic growth). We Indigenous people, and new Canadians. Millennium SkyTrain line were similarly need more people to join our ranks. If we can’t meet those targets, our built under PLAs. Even in the private Women constitute 50 per cent of industry will be in a very serious cir- sector we have worked projects under the population but make up only four cumstance. Insufficient skilled workers a PLA, the most recent one being the per cent of our construction work- mean limited economic investment and Kitimat Modernization Project. These force. While we don’t keep track of even more limited opportunities in the are but a few examples of work we Indigenous people in our memberships, future which aren’t good for anyone. have done under PLAs. we certainly need more young Failure is not an option. Those Project Labour Agreements Indigenous people to learn our trades. We do more than build B.C. We had any number of common provisions And then there are the recently landed build careers. We build communities. which affected each trade and every immigrants and new Canadians we We build on our commitment. worker on the job: same start time, overtime rates, no work stoppages. The common language in the agreement ensured uniformity and many times conformity on multi-craft, complex The building Trades—Who we are projects. In many respects, PLAs have Phone Web address brought form and structure to the BC Building Trades 778-397-2220 www.bcbuildingtrades.org sometimes convoluted construction environment. affiliated unions Rarely though, have PLAs been used BC Regional Council of Carpenters 250-383-8116 http://bcrcc.ca to specifically provide for or promote Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2 604-584-2021 www.bac2bc.org societal expectations. But society has Cement Masons & Plasterers Local 919 604-585-9198 www.opcmia919.org changed. Today we know that the Construction & Specialized Workers Local 1611 604-541-1611 www.cswu1611.org terms and conditions of most every Electrical Workers Local 213 (L. Mainland) 604-571-6500 www.ibew213.org project have very specific outcomes in Electrical Workers Local 230 (V. Island) 250-388-7374 www.ibew230.org addition to the “build it on time and Electrical Workers Local 1003 (Nelson) 250-354-4177 www.ibew1003.org on budget” attitude of previous Electrical Workers Local 993 (Kamloops) 250-376-8755 www.ibew993.org decades. Today, many projects require Floorlayers Local 1541 604-524-6900 www.bcrcc.ca social licence prior to the first shovel Heat and Frost Insulators Local 118 604-877-0909 www.insulators118.org going in the ground. Social licence can IUPAT District Council 38 604-524-8334 www.dc38.ca mean different things in different parts Ironworkers Local 97 604-879-4191 www.ironworkerslocal97.com of our province but they almost always Millwrights Local 2736 604-525-2736 www.millwrights2736.com reflect community aspirations. Operating Engineers Local 115 604-291-8831 www.IUOE115.ca The BC Building Trades has long Pile Drivers Local 2404 604-526-2404 http://piledrivers2404.ca advocated for apprentices on all publicly Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 170 604-526-0441 www.plumbers.bc.ca funded provincial projects. In July of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 324 250-382-0415 www.ualocal324.com 2015, former jobs minister Shirley Bond Refrigeration Workers Local 516 604-882-8212 www.ua516.org announced that the then Liberal gov- Sheet Metal, Roofers and ernment would set an aspirational tar- Production Workers Local 280(Vancouver) 604-430-3388 www.smw280.org get of 25 per cent for apprentices on Sheet Metal, Roofers and B.C. provincial projects. While the aspi- Production Workers Local 276 (Victoria) 250-727-3458 www.smwia276.ca rational goal was never achieved, the Teamsters Local 213 604-876-5213 www.teamsters213.org announcement was a good first UNITE HERE Local 40 604-291-8211 www.uniteherelocal40.org step–the first in Canada in fact. Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 5
Photos courtesy of the UA Piping Industry College of BC Can the crisis in construction be averted? By Joe Barrett and or journeypersons. This led to compro- struck my first arc, I was hooked.” Corry Anderson-Fennell mises in safety, quality, and consumer Wagner took the welding program B.C., we have a problem. protection. offered by the piping college and was “Large public infrastructure projects Fast-forward to 2018 and B.C. should give opportunities to B.C. resi- remains the only province in Canada dents and, in particular, groups under- that does not require certification for represented in the construction sector, construction trades. Without Red Seal such as Indigenous communities, certification, uncertified workers don’t apprentices, and women in trades. But meet industry standards and their that’s not the case right now,” said Tom mobility to work in other provinces is Sigurdson, executive director of the restricted. BC Building Trades. Sigurdson pointed Meanwhile, a Statistics Canada study to the Site C Dam in northeast B.C. as shows that fewer than four per cent of an example. apprentices in construction trades are According to the latest BC Hydro women, a shocking situation when the employment statistics, only 11 of the industry faces a looming skilled trades 1,681 workers at Site C last shortage as older workers retire. November were apprentices. There “It’s a race to the bottom floor, and were only 239 women and 96 we’re almost there,” said Sigurdson. Indigenous workers at Site C during For Maple Ridge mom Jasmine the same month. Almost one-quarter Wagner, apprenticeship in a Red Seal of the total workforce is sourced from trade saved her from the mountain of outside the province. student loan debt she accumulated BC Hydro lumps together construc- while getting her bachelor of fine arts tion jobs and non-construction occu- degree from Simon Fraser University. Apprentices and Apprentices and pations (office, kitchen, and housing In spite of her degree, Wagner’s job employer emplo sponsorss are yer sponsor are work) so it is unlikely that all the prospects were limited, so she began women and Indigenous workers were looking to the construction trades as building the b uilding bblocks locks off skilled tradespeople. a way to support herself and her BC’ss trades BC’ trades system. system. “What we have here is a crisis in infant son. construction,” said Sigurdson. The crisis Wagner enrolled in an introductory Learn mor Learn moree about CChampions hampions ns of has been building for many years, he trades course at the United Associa- Apprenticeship Appr enticeship and how how the theyy ar aree said. The former provincial Liberal gov- tion Piping Industry College of BC and ernment’s elimination of compulsory quickly found a fit as a welder. achieving achieving suc success. cess. trades in 2002 opened the door for “Welding wasn’t even remotely on cheaper, unskilled labour to perform my radar,” she said, “but the moment I championsofapprenticeship.ca championsofapprenticeship.ca a work previously done by apprentices stepped into that first booth and 6 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
The BC Building Trades continues to press for measures that ensure opportunities for women in trades, like Jasmine Wagner; Indigenous communities; apprentices; and local hiring on public projects in B.C. hired by Bantrel Constructors at the in the 1960s and started working for concerns double when he thinks about $4.8 billion (US) Kitimat Modernization the Tunnel and Rock Workers’ Union. the safety of members of his family. Project before she’d even completed Local 168 later became one of the four “It’s troublesome because you don’t her pre-apprenticeship. She joined union locals that merged to become know…how much training they’ve had. more than 500 other women working Local 1611. Does the person know what’s involved on that project. Geidt’s daughters joined Local 1611 working underground, with concrete?” “This job was an incredible opportu- to work on the generating station The BC Building Trades is advocating nity for me,” recalled Wagner, a mem- while his oldest son apprenticed at the for measures that ensure opportunities ber of the Plumbers and Pipefitters station as a carpenter. Geidt’s youngest for apprentices, Indigenous communi- Local 170. “We had an amazing amount son also worked at the station for a ties, women in trades, and local hiring of arc-on time up there, which is couple of years as a member of Local on large public projects in B.C. extremely important for apprentices.” 1611 before starting an apprenticeship BCBT affiliates also invest more than Being able to live and work in the as a boilermaker. $18 million annually in training and same community is also important. “Over the years, I’ve worked with have more than 6,000 apprentices and Just ask Brian Geidt, who worked lots of apprentices who’ve now moved trainees. alongside two of his daughters and on to other projects up north [and] The BC Building Trades is committed one son at the Revelstoke Generating around the province and now have to advancing opportunities for women Station. “All of us were given the careers in construction,” said Geidt. in trades through the initiative Build opportunity because we were local Without compulsory trades and the TogetHER: The Women of the BC hires,” said Geidt, a member of assurances that come with the appren- Building Trades, which promotes, sup- Labourers Local 1611. ticeship certification process, Geidt ports, and mentors women in the Construction runs in the Geidt fami- said he has no idea the level of train- skilled construction industry. ly’s blood. Tired of the city, Geidt’s ing, knowledge, and experience the But it’s obvious there is much more father moved the family to Revelstoke worker next to him might have. His to be done. IW97 British Columbia Ironworkers ironworkerslocal97.com Supporting industry, progress and a strong British Columbia economy. Building BC and the Yukon for over 110 years. Doug Parton-Business Manager Paul Beacom-President Image by Torben Hansen—Creative Commons • Red Seal Structural, Reinforcing, & Ornamental Ironworkers. &HUWL¿HG:HOGHUV 5LJJHUV • 90% Apprenticeship Completion Rate. 2I$OO5HJLVWHUHG,:$SSUHQWLFHV,Q%& 6891 MacPherson A Avenue, venue, Burnaby Burnaby,, BC V5J 4N2 Tel: Tel: 604.879.4191—Toll 604.879.4191 604.879.4191—T 1—To oll Free: 1.866.562.2597— 1.866.562.2597—info@ironworkerslocal97.com—facebook.com/joinlocal97/ —info@ironworkerslocal97.com——facebook.com/joinlocal97/ Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 7
Highlights from the B.C. Legislature By Brynn Bourke eliminating tolls forward to seeing important changes in BCBT Director of On Sept. 1, 2017, the government the industry that ensure worker safety Campaigns and Policy eliminated tolls on the Port Mann and while making unscrupulous contractors Golden Ears bridges. The move has accountable. Since forming government in July saved members who commute over 2017, the BC NDP has made several the Fraser River an average of $1,500 important announcements that affect each year. construction workers. Here are some key announcements. Proceeding with site C In December, the BC NDP govern- ment announced it was proceeding with the construction of the Site C dam. This was welcome news for hun- dreds of unionized tradespeople who Courtesy of Ministry of Advanced will work on the turbines, generators, Education, Skills and Training spillway, and powerhouse components of the project. improving representation on government boards Tuition waiver extended to Premier John former youth in care Horgan and his The Ministry of Advanced Education, cabinet have made Skills and Training announced in a number of wel- September that it would provide young come changes to people leaving foster care with free the leadership of tuition at all 25 of B.C.’s public post- major B.C. institu- secondary institutions. This means that tions. The BC some of our most vulnerable young Women in Trades report Building Trades adults will have access to trades train- The Ministry of Advanced Education, welcomes the appointments of Jacquie ing programs at institutions like BCIT Skills and Training released a report on de Aguayo (Labour Board chair), and Camosun. women in trades identifying barriers Roberta Ellis (Industry Training preventing women from entering, Authority chair), Ken Peterson (BC strengthening advancing, and staying in a career in the Hydro chair), and Ralph McGinn apprenticeship ratios trades and put forward solutions for (WorkSafeBC chair). We were particu- The Ministry of Advanced Education, change. larly pleased to see past BC Building Skills and Training is conducting consul- Trades president Lee Loftus appointed tations to strengthen provincial policy msP premiums cut by to the WorkSafeBC board. We know on apprenticeships. The BCBT has 50 per cent Loftus will represent the interests of been participating and recently took On Jan. 1, the government reduced workers well. staff from the ministry on a tour of Medical Services Plan premiums by 50 our training facilities. per cent. It has pledged to fully phase asbestos review out MSP premiums over the NDP’s The Ministry of Labour has conduct- term. While many members have their ed a public consultation into the premiums covered through their col- asbestos abatement industry and is lective agreements, the cut has a huge now in the process of reviewing the impact on many union pension and stakeholder report. Many affiliates par- benefit plans which cover the costs for ticipated in this process. This is an our retirees. The change will save our important issue for many construction plans millions of dollars. workers and their families. We look 8 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
President’s view david hoLmes david holmes, business manager district Council 38 There’s a monster on the loose What do you think $84.7 million could buy today? and institutional sectors. Here in B.C., it could fund the New Westminster and Powell The underground economy has other costs, too. Legitimate River school districts for an entire year. Or it could buy 17 businesses have a difficult time competing with unscrupulous MRI machines for public hospitals. It could even help the Ride contractors whose prices don’t include the requisite payroll to Conquer Cancer double all the money donated for cancer deductions and other required taxes. research over the past nine years. Those working for these small and large contractors also Instead, $84.7 million is the estimated cost to taxpayers of lose out. They are often purposely and inaccurately categorized the underground economy in the residential construction sec- as independent contractors themselves, even though they are tor–in 2001 dollars. No, that’s not a typo–I really do mean employees. As a result, they aren’t covered by workers’ com- 2001 dollars. pensation and are more vulnerable to injury Apologies for taking you back to 2001. and unemployment. In addition, basic employ- Unfortunately, it’s the last time anyone paid To ignore the underground ment standards around pay, hours of work, serious attention to the underground econ- and working conditions are often ignored. omy in B.C. That’s when a joint compliance economy is to ignore the Consumers who participate in the under- team of representatives from the B.C. practices of tax evasion, ground economy are another at-risk group. Ministry of Labour, Human Resources For example, they can’t remedy a shoddy job Development Canada, and the Canada money laundering, and without admitting their own part in the ille- Customs and Revenue Agency estimated human trafficking. gal exchange. the B.C. government was losing $44.5 mil- Then there is the cost to greater society, lion annually in unpaid taxes, and arguably the biggest victim in this sad affair. WorkSafeBC was losing $40.2 million in unpaid premiums. Unpaid taxes mean less money for vital programs such as Back then, the loss was so staggering, the Vancouver Sun health care, education, child care, employment insurance, and lamented that the residential construction industry was pensions. These programs support kids, seniors, and other vul- “marked by inadequate regulation, ineffective enforcement of nerable populations. existing regulations and laws, and flouting of employment stan- All of this is to say the underground economy in B.C. is a dards. It’s an industry with a flourishing underground compo- real-life monster. It’s rampant and there are no signs of abate- nent whose activity is reaching epidemic proportions.” ment. The contractors who take part are flagrant about their Well, if the underground economy constituted an epidemic activities and fearless about the consequences. Just search in 2001, it must be a pandemic in 2018. What it represents in Craigslist for “cash daily” in the jobs category, and “cash” in the lost revenue to today’s economy is anyone’s guess. Accounting services category and you’ll see exactly what I mean. only for inflation, $84.7 million in 2001 is worth $114.4 million To ignore the underground economy is to ignore the prac- today (thank you, Bank of Canada online inflation calculator). tices of tax evasion, money laundering, and human trafficking. Keep in mind, these figures only reflect the underground The underground economy has no place in a fair and just economy in the residential construction sector, and say nothing society. We just have to decide whether we want a fair and just of the millions that are surely lost in the industrial, commercial, society. Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 9
B u i l d i n g O u r Base The benefits of Joshua Berson photos building our base Building our base has become a Affiliates of the BC Building priority of the BC Building Trades and its affiliated local unions. Partnerships Trades are reaching out to women, Indigenous communities, and Base-building with groups and communities not well represented in construction are veterans. Paddy Byrne, from the Painters and strategies bringing in new union members. Allied Trades District Council 38, said Those of us in unions know the outreach has also been made to BuildForce Canada has prepared benefits of membership: job opportu- Syrian refugees. In addition, Level 1 a series of posts with advice, nities, camaraderie and mentorship, painting courses have been offered research, tools and checklists to health benefits, an emphasis on safety, twice at Matsqui Institution. help the construction industry cre- and retirement with a good pension. Derrek Autzen, head of the ate respectful, welcoming, and inclu- Union contractors gain access to Floorlayers Local 1541, said his union sive workplaces. Specific topics well-trained and ready-to-work is reaching out to members of other include: tradespeople. constituencies as well. “There are • reaching out to under-represent- Growing numbers of trainees result great people who are struggling to ed groups in a steady flow of income for the re-enter the workforce,” he said. He joint apprenticeship boards, which cited people who have been through • biased hiring and decision making means improvements in training, rehabilitation programs and complet- • harassment, bullying, and equipment, and facilities. ed recovery programs as an example. discrimination And growing union membership “They need assistance and we can • gender stereotypes numbers mean stronger and more help them move on with their lives • how to be an effective financially healthy unions with greater and have good careers.” communicator and listener influence with employers, the public, In the following articles, you will • effective problem solving and government on issues of concern read about some of these programs See: www.buildforce.ca/en/blog to working people. and the successes and challenges. 10 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
B u i l d i n g O u r Base Unions and First Nations working together By Leslie Dyson ongoing injustices that began 150 years Paddy Byrne, director of training at ago are creating obstacles to success in the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI), said Members of several First Nations are the trades today. Still, she said, she students at the SNTTC took part in a on track for rewarding careers in the would like to see more Indigenous four-week introductory wall and ceiling construction trades. Foundation cours- people take up trades training. class, which involved three weeks of es were offered last fall in floorlaying; Holland, whose family is from the steel stud framing and boarding and a steel stud framing and drywall installa- Wet’suwet’en Nation, said, “I’ve been one-week drywall finishing component. tion; drywall finishing; and the piping working in construction for 20 years, Months earlier, training staff developed trades. but I have to find something that’s easi- course materials that were delivered by Students Brenda Scott and Cliff er on my back.” He said he likes instal- DC 38 painting contractor Troy Holland were enthusiastic about their lation work and enjoyed helping other Halverson in an introductory painting foundation skills training and careers in members of the class with their course at the Squamish centre. the trades. designs. Byrne said he was gratified to hear Scott said she wanted to return to The Finishing Trades Institute of BC that the students talked about how school even though her previous edu- (associated with Painters and Allied welcome they felt at the FTI. “They cation experiences were terrible. She Trades District Council 38), Floorlayers were here at a busy time and saw said she enjoyed the atmosphere at the Local 1541, and the piping trades, other classes. The place was filled to training school. “I’m an over-achiever. I among others, have been meeting with capacity and they liked the environ- like hands-on. We huddle together and the Squamish Nation Trades Training ment.” help each other when we get over- Centre (SNTTC) and touring each The students were assisted by Wolf, whelmed.” other’s training centres to find ways to an elder from the Squamish Nation She was quick to point out that the work together. continued on following page Cliff Holland, with 20 years experience in construction already, enjoys learning a new trade– floorlaying. Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 11
B u i l d i n g O u r Base continued from previous page years and a member of the union for practicum. Following that, they began 25, taught hardwood coverings. Students their apprenticeships. “and that was very helpful,” Byrne learned about job site safety, communi- Autzen said the floorlaying trade is added. “He was essentially a mentor cation, material handling, and the funda- well suited to people who work well and that’s what we [unions] try to do, mentals of nailed down, glued down, with their hands and are comfortable too. The culture of apprenticeships and and floating installations, he said. “They working with end users. Many members mentoring is like First Nation elders were really engaged with the training also appreciate that most of the work is overseeing young people.” and loved the result of their finished indoors on residential, commercial, and Derrek Autzen, head of the projects.” institutional sites. Floorlayers Local 1541, said six mem- Jeff Jensen, an instructor since May Autzen said that some of Local 1541’s bers of the Squamish Nation participat- 2017 but a member since 1987, had the instructors are Indigenous and that can ed in a floorlaying class. students do mockups for laying vinyl help to make connections with the stu- Soft skills were taught in a four-week composite tile. After learning some of dents. “But it’s the same message” deliv- period at the SNTTC. the tricks of the floorlaying trade for ered to all students and apprentices, he The following four weeks, the preparing the floor, drawing the layout said. “Show up on time and [be success- SNTTC brought the students to the lines, and spreading the adhesive, they ful] these are the things you need to do BC Regional Council of Carpenters’ laid the square tiles in monolithic or for your employer.” training centre on Annacis Island to alternate grain patterns. The students also learned about the learn about the various types of floor After the theory and practice, stu- advantages that come with union coverings. dents chose the trade that appealed to membership. “The union is always there Kjell Nymark, an instructor for 12 them the most for their two-week for support,” he said. Brenda Scott pointed out that the ongoing injustices facing Indigenous people make it difficult for many to return to school, but she felt a sense of accomplishment in the union training environment. Joshua Berson photo 12 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
B u i l d i n g O u r Base Kyra Liddle, fireproofer with Cement Masons Local 919, says barriers still remain for women in the trades. Joshua Berson photo It’s time to cut the crap By David Hogben “There remain some men who don’t kinds of barriers when they enter the like that, but that’s too bad,” he said. male-dominated construction industry. “Women on the worksites are here “Those guys are just going to have to They overcome systemic discrimina- to stay,” said Tom Sigurdson, executive get over it. Women have a place any- tion, prejudices about their abilities, director of the B.C. Building Trades. where they want to be. They have a fewer job opportunities, and even “The construction industry needs place beside us, working alongside us, access to clean, accessible washrooms. them to fill the many looming vacan- and using their skills.” continued on following page cies created by retiring baby boomers. Tradeswomen break through all Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 13
B u i l d i n g O u r Base continued from previous page Fireproofer Kyra Liddle has been in construction long enough to appreciate the changes in attitudes towards women on the job sites. “More employers are open to hiring women. They are seeing the attention to detail is there,” Liddle said of the changes she has seen over the past 20 years. Though women still represent only about four per cent of construction tradespeople, project labour agreements (PLAs) have opened doors and created more opportunities for women, especially on big jobs. “Yes. If it’s a unionized job with a project labour agreement, more women are going to get on site,” she said. Liddle has worked on major projects like BC Place, GM Place, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and many airports. “I have worked, not only all over B.C. and Alberta, I have worked in the Yukon. I have worked in Iqaluit.” However, barriers remain. When Liddle goes out on a job with a helper–invariably a man–many people assume she is the helper. And something as basic as lack of access to graffiti- free, clean, and functioning washroom facilities reduces pro- ductivity, creates health risks, and discourages women from working in the trades. Liddle said the situation could be improved by providing separate washroom facilities for women on all sites. “Our bathroom situation is disgusting,” she added. “There isn’t a woman in the trades who would disagree.” No doubt, many men as well. Sigurdson said the situation facing some women tradespeo- ple “is disgusting. Female construction workers deserve the same dignity and working conditions as men. That includes recognition of physical differences and requirements.” Poor sanitation is a major cause of disease and can be a serious occupational health risk. Construction workers are often at risk from exposure to infectious diseases on con- struction projects due to poor sanitary conditions associated with toilets and clean-up facilities. After many years in the trade, “The current situation is not going to attract women to the Liddle knows what changes are trades,” Liddle said. “If you are not driven, tough-skinned, and needed to make the trades more can’t handle seeing piles of crap, you’re not going to make it.” accessible to women and other On some jobs around town, Liddle said she has had to go groups. in search of washroom facilities at gas stations. But that means time away from the job and lost productivity. On big jobs, it’s less of a problem. Companies dedicate one or more washrooms for female workers. “There is a require- ment that when there is a certain number of women you have to provide a Port-a-Potty for them. But why if you have [even] one girl on your site, can’t you close off one bathroom for the time?” she asked. On one job at the Iqaluit airport, Liddle demanded a sepa- rate washroom, but the employer resisted. “They weren’t going to do it. They were actually fighting me on it. I would go in there sometimes and there would be poop on the walls…I had to call my health and safety officer and get him involved. I had to get him to send all the literature so that they could read that they had to provide a bathroom.” In the end, they provided a separate facility and gave a key to every woman. WorkSafeBC requires that employers ensure washroom Shawn Luke cartoon facilities are readily available and be: • maintained in proper working order • kept clean and sanitary, and • provided with the supplies necessary for their use If the portable toilets on your worksite are unacceptable, talk to your supervisor or health and safety officer. All con- struction workers are entitled to clean and safe washroom facilities. It’s the law and your employer’s responsibility. 14 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
B u i l d i n g O u r Base Helmets to Hardhats in B.C. Veterans, unions, and the able to work again. The rest handle to the next. Building trades across the industry working together their condition with medication or on country have raised this issue with their own with counseling. When their provincial governments. Matte The biggest question in the back of someone comes in for assistance, we said it may have to be addressed by the minds of most people serving in interview them as to what kind of the federal government. the armed forces is what to do in life work they are interested in and what “Some years are better than others,” afterward. The workforce reintegration work they can and can’t do.” he said. “We had a lot of good place- program Helmets to Hardhats is show- Disability is not an automatic barrier ment in the tar sands until the oil price ing that the construction sector is a to getting into the trades, he insisted. crash in 2014. Then it got harder as good place for veterans to start a “Even if someone has a serious injury, things really slowed down.” career after service, said retired like say, losing a leg, they could still be, Record-low interest rates and inflat- Brigadier General Gregory Matte. for example, a crane operator.” ed property prices have kept the con- For the last five years, the retired But there are challenges the pro- struction industry going fairly strongly airline pilot, who first learned his trade gram faces when dealing with different in B.C. but it could have been much in the air force, has been working with government jurisdictions and in today’s better. The former Liberal govern- the program set up and sponsored by turbulent economy. ment’s decision to acquiesce to the Canada’s Building Trades Unions. Of the 120 identified military trades, non-union sector and drop the “We’ve put through 640 people only about 10 are recognized by civil- requirement for certified trades since the program started in 2012,” ian institutions. “This is part of what reduced funding for training and he said. “That’s about one every makes it so difficult for veterans to get apprenticeships. three days.” work in civilian life,” he said. “If some- But overall, Matte is happy with the Matte says the program is based on one in the military gets training, for program’s success rate and the grow- three identified needs. First, is the example as a carpenter, there’s no offi- ing interest. “The number is likely dou- chronic difficulty many veterans face cial record that’s recognized, so they ble that (the 640 official placements so trying to re-enter the workforce and don’t get hired even if they are techni- far),” he said. “We’re still having a prob- readjust to civilian life. Second, the cally qualified.” lem with getting full feedback from looming shortage of skilled trades Another problem is that construc- contractors, unions, and veterans workers that the industry is facing now tion trades are provincially regulated, themselves. Once people get into a because of retirements and that is meaning each province implements its trade it becomes just normal.” He said expected to worsen because of own standards and methodology. better reporting by construction decades of decreasing government sup- Unless a trade is part of the “Red Seal” unions and signatory firms would ben- port for trades training. And third, the national standard, a worker’s skills may efit all partners and enable the pro- chance for building trades unions to not be recognized from one province gram to be more effective. gain more members and greater influence in the industry. “Part of what unions do is build community,” he said. “That’s what we’re doing here. There’s no bet- ter way for veterans to get back into civilian life than by joining a supportive community where they can learn skills to earn a living.” The Helmets to Hardhats pro- gram lets veterans know the advantages of careers in the build- ing trades and provides assess- ments of skills and abilities. The assessment component is espe- cially important given the many types of injuries suffered by veter- ans returning from active war duty. But Matte says that’s exactly what the program seeks to help them overcome. José Lam cartoon “Not everybody on a mission suffers an injury or experiences PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder),” he said. “Of those who do, only about five per cent are in a situation of never being Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 15
view From ottawa By BoB BLakeLy Chief executive officer for Canada’s building Trades unions We have to make our halls more diverse every year, I reflect on the pre- vious year and where we are going in the near future. We cer- does not matter. In many jurisdictions this will be the only game in town and we need to be ready. what we do, what the market is doing, what projects fail to go ahead, our Baby Boom members are going to leave and tainly had some high points last year That may mean doing things we we have to replace them. and there were events that qualify as would rather not do, like meeting If you look at the pool of people we much lower. wages that are below our jealously will have to choose from (and we will We unveiled our national monument guarded industrial rate. The time for be in the same boat as nearly every to unionized construction workers. courage is now. We need to get back other institution and industry in Some governments recognize the value Canada), we will have a much more that comes from union construction. diverse workforce than the one you Our industry has grown by nearly and I joined so many years ago. We are 100 per cent over the past 20 years We don’t act like jerks on fools if we don’t make a virtue out of but it looks like growth will plateau at steroids at church, in the necessity. Diversity brings strength and least in the mid-term. Even so, we are parent-teacher interview, diverse workers bring many gifts to our going to have to replace 248,000 crafts- or in many other workplaces. people as the Baby Boom generation There is more to accommodating goes into retirement. We don’t lack for situations, so why would diversity than just making a place for a challenges! it be OK at work? woman, Indigenous person, a youth, or What else does 2018 hold for us? It new Canadian. It means being serious is a mug’s game to try and predict the about respect. We don’t act like jerks future but it is very smart to prepare into the market. Wages will recover on steroids at church, in the parent- for eventualities. there. If we stay frozen to an unrealistic teacher interview, or in many other sit- I think we can look forward to work- reality, our members will vote with uations, so why would it be OK at ing on a substantial amount of the their feet! work? Our workplaces and union halls infrastructure work that the federal Liberalized labour laws mean a return will be diverse when our best guys (and program will create. This will kick-start to card-check certifications in many gals) and our leadership no longer tol- provincial, territorial, and municipal gov- provinces and federally. The political cli- erate bad behaviour and no longer ernment initiatives. Many local unions mate supports organizing. That means stand aside when bad behaviour occurs. have not engaged in these kinds of pro- getting out and doing what we once did I am not asking for political correct- jects for a long time. Whether this is best, organizing the unorganized! ness, just common decency. We need because of a market shift to industrial Finally, we need to keep a weather to step up and do the right thing when work or unionized contractors concen- eye on retirements and people leaving a person is being bullied or treated trating on smaller and smaller bases the trade for other reasons. No matter badly. It is the least we can do. 23(5$7,9(3/$67(5(56·$1'&(0(170$6216· ,17(51$7,21$/$662&,$7,21/2&$/ 2EMHFWLYHV 7RHQFRXUDJHDKLJKVWDQGDUGRIVNLOODPRQJWKHPHPEHUV 7RSURYLGHWKHWUDGHZLWKFRPSHWHQWZRUNHUV 7RREWDLQDQGPDLQWDLQDIDLUVWDQGDUGRIZDJHV 7RSURWHFWWKHMXULVGLFWLRQRIWKHWUDGH 7RRUJDQL]HWKRVHZRUNLQJLQRXUFUDIW 7RDGYDQFHWKHPRUDOLQWHOOHFWXDOVRFLDODQGÀQDQFLDOFRQGLWLRQRIDOORXUPHPEHUV ,QGXVWULDO5RDG RSFPLD#RSFPLDRUJ 6XUUH\%& ZZZRSFPLDRUJ &KULV)HOOHU &UDIWPDQVKLS3URVSHULW\5HVSRQVLELOLW\ %XVLQHVV0DQDJHU6HFUHWDU\7UHDVXUHU 16 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
Piledrivers Local 2404 Construction on water calls for special skills Joshua Berson photo Members of Piledrivers Local 2404 develop their welding and form- building skills at the training centre of the BC Regional Council of Carpenters. By Leslie Dyson Apprentices were required to build a added the stairs “because I don’t want Being a piledriver requires working on form using special hangers that hang off to have to keep jumping off and on the the water and when the tide is right, a simulated pile, mimicking the suspend- platform!” sometimes in the middle of the night. ed slab formwork structures used in Three years earlier, Wilkinson was There’s a lot of climbing. Everything is marine construction. “Some have never working as a diver in Ontario but the done outdoors in all kinds of weather, seen this kind of setup,” said Nichols, work “dried up.” As a member of the often in remote locations. However, the also president of Local 2404. carpenters union, he was able to trans- work is interesting and varied and the Apprentice Paul Wilkinson said, “No fer to Local 2404 and move to B.C. “I’m trade provides a good living. one knows what a piledriver does. So I still bouncing around, but the work is Twelve third-year piledriver- tell them, ‘I pound really big nails in the more consistent. It’s a little bit easier to bridgeworker apprentices, under the dirt.’” To Tradetalk, he said, piledriving have a home life. The Lower Mainland direction of instructors Casey Nichols work is like labourer work, but has a lot of work to keep me local. and Steve Reid, were building a suspend- underwater and on the water, as well Wilkinson said he feels fortunate to ed slab form and practising their welding as on land. have bought a house on the far side skills when Tradetalk visited the BC The structure Wilkinson was building of Maple Ridge soon after he arrived Regional Council of Carpenters training had an extra feature not seen on the and “before the market went through centre on Annacis Island. Highway bridge other students’ forms. His included a the roof.” maintenance crews, members of the BC staircase, not something likely to be He’s worked on the test pile for the Government Employees’ Union, also seen out on the water. It was a proposed bridge to replace the George take advantage of the training offered by manouevre reminiscent of Star Trek Massey Tunnel as well as the Annacis car the Piledrivers Local 2404 Joint Captain J.T. Kirk’s approach to the Apprenticeship Training Committee. Kobayashi Maru test. Wilkinson said he continued on following page Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 17
continued from previous page dock upgrade and the Alliance Grain between the construction trade schools wanted,” Hawk said. “They had to be Terminal at the Port of Vancouver. “It (providing full-scope training) and the rugged, know how to rig, and know how keeps me occupied.” colleges (offering the three-year welding to work on the water.” Brock McIntosh is glad that his father course), Hawk explained. Some students The injury rate was so high in the Scot encouraged him to join Local 2404. dropped the trades training to follow a early years that workers couldn’t get life “It’s different all the time,” he said. dream of getting their own welding rig insurance. They unionized to press for “You’re on the water, on the land, you and going off on their own to build better working conditions. go all over the place.” He’s worked on pipelines,” he said. “That’s the promise bridge repairs, the Baffin Iron Ore Dock they were fed by colleges that needed Varied work and locations in Nunavut, and repairs to a train trestle to fill seats in welding programs.” Known to some as “The hall that on the Fraser River. However, with the downturn of work in does it all,” members work on bridges, The school moved from BCIT to its the oil sands, welding jobs are not as docks, wharves, ferry berths, ports, deep Annacis Island location in 2009. plentiful. foundations and ground improvement. Darrell Hawk, business manager of Welding is a key component of Local 2404 represents piledriver bridge Piledrivers Local 2404, has been involved piledriving and many construction workers, carpenters, welders, crane with curriculum development for the trades, but not the only skill that’s operators, and underwater surface-sup- apprenticeship program. Recently, the required. “After the welding, we have to plied divers. The 65 diving members are Industry Training Authority (ITA) struck throw down the welding helmet and do paid well, but the work is not as steady. a joint labour management committee the rest,” he said. Hawk started in the trade in 1980. to upgrade and develop the Level 2 The industry was booming. A relative, apprenticeship curriculum to make it A dangerous trade in the past who was a superintendent with a signa- more relevant to workers in the trade. The trade used to be dangerous and tory contractor, called him up and “We have to look after our trade or it more physically demanding “but con- offered him the opportunity of an will disappear,” he said. struction technology and design, along apprenticeship. Hawk said he enjoyed “It’s great to watch as a class comes with the industry focus on safety over the camaraderie while working with together sharing knowledge and experi- the past couple of decades has led to small crews. “There were many sawmills ences they have learned on the job and members working smarter and safer,” up and down the Fraser River that helping each other with the hands-on Hawk said. needed piling in their booming grounds practical aspects of the class.” Unionized piledrivers have been part and log tie-ups. This alone kept three or A few years ago, the ITA–with pres- of the United Brotherhood of four crews busy year round.” sure from the resource industry sector Carpenters since 1920. He also recalled working one summer and a promise from former premier Most people find their way to the at the Crofton Mill, which required the Christy Clark of thousands of LNG trade by word of mouth. But 30 years installation of 7,000 creosote treated jobs–carved out welding as a stand- ago, the industry recruited workers piles for a new paper machine. “I had no alone trade. from the forestry, fishing, and farming idea creosote burned you,” he said. “My Apprentices ended up in a tug of war industries. “Those are the guys they skin was peeling off.” Day of Apr Day April A WUDGHWDONp il 28 Pile Drivers, Divers, Bridge, Dock and Wharf Builders Mourning Mourninng "We Build BC" Local 2404 ffor or w workers orkers Attention kkilled illed or injur advertisers injured ed d The Na The WantDa National tional Dayto y ofreach M Mourning o ning our 36,000, welland rremembers emembers paid, honouhighly honours urs thoseskilled who hahave ve lost their liv lives es due tto owwork-related ork-related tr trauma auma or oc construction occupational cupa tional diseasees. workers diseases. 4 times a year? To book an ad or to receive more information contact: bcytbctc@bcbuildingtrades.org (778) 397-2220 Great training Call yyour Call o union offic our office e ffor or Great jobs more mor information e inf ormation on hohoww Great future nior CFU tto participate. o parrticipate. www.piledrivers2404.ca Unior U 18 tradetalk BC BUILDING TRADES / Spring 2018
Students building suspended slab forms similar to structures they would have to construct on water. Members ready for the big Centerm Expansion Project at the Port However, a lack of affordable rental projects of Vancouver, Pattullo Bridge replacement units and the exorbitant cost of living There are 450 active members (600 and other transportation infrastructure means that many younger members can’t including retirees) in Local 2404. The will keep members busy. afford to live close to work. “It’s not just biggest contractors include Fraser River It’s hard to hold onto apprentices if an issue for us, but for all employers and Pile and Dredge GP Inc.,Vancouver Pile there are no big projects, Hawk said. “If industries going forward. Driving, and Ruskin Construction. Unlike there’s no work, they just disappear.” “We’re hopeful that, yes, things are other craft unions, members often stay Some members have transferred their going to change with the NDP govern- with a company for decades and union membership to the BC Ferry and ment’s attitude towards training and become part of the core group of Marine Workers’ Union for steady work trade qualifications. But we still haven’t employees. maintaining the ferry terminals up and seen changes to requirements for Many members are working on the down the coast. apprentices on government contracts.” G3 terminal in North Vancouver and It’s tougher for apprentices now than it The collective agreement requires a many worked on the just-completed has been in the past, Hawk said. Most of 6:1 ratio of journeypersons to appren- expansion of the Prince Rupert contain- the steady work is in the Lower tices. “As soon as work on the Pattullo er terminal. Mainland. “There’s always work at the Bridge and transit infrastructure are The local expects that projects like the Vancouver port driving piles for develop- under way, we’ll be back in recruiting South Jetty remediation in Esquimalt, the ers,” Hawk said. “It’s its own economy.” mode,” Hawk said. %* THE FINISHING TRADES TRADES A w ww.dc38.ca www.dc38.ca Finishing Trades Finishing Tradess Institute of BC www.ftibc.ca www.fftibc.ca Representing and traini training: ing: LOCAL UNIO UNION ON NO. 280 Hazmat W Workers orkers • Drywall Fi Finishers inishers PRODUCTION, ROOFI ING & SHEET ROOFING T MET TAL AL METAL Glaziers • Painters • Waterb blasters Waterblasters Interior Systems Mechan nics Mechanics Business Manager Jim Paquette Assistant Business Managerr Dan Burroughs Burroughs Business Repr Representative resentative esentative Ken Elworthy Business Repr Representative resentative esentative Richard Richard Mangelsdorf IUPAT IUP PAT Distr District ict C Council ouncil 38 Telephone: 604-430-3388 Toll Telephone: Toll Free: 1-800-242-8645 7621 K Kingsway ingsway Bur Burnaby, naby, B B.C. .C. V3 V3N 3N 3C7 www.smw280.org www w.smw280.org Email: Em agents@smw280.orgg ail: agents@smw280.or ph. 604-524-8334 ttoll-free oll-free 1-800-266-1527 Spring 2018 / BC BUILDING TRADES tradetalk 19
You can also read