First off, I hope that all of our members and their families have had an enjoyable and safe summer, taking into account the unpredictable weather.  

Local 67 Job Opportunities

Although work in our jurisdiction for our members has been slow for the better part of 2008, we were fortunate that sister U.A. Locals, 46 (Toronto), 527 (Kitchener), 663 (Sarnia) and 488 (Edmonton) required travel card members to man projects in these areas.

As of the middle of July 2008 planned projects in our area are now proceeding, but unfortunately these manpower requests are not being filled.

If our members do not man these jobs, we have two choices. Option #1 would be to call sister locals for travel card members, which does not seem to be a viable option as Toronto, Niagara and Kitchener members are all extremely busy in their own jurisdictions. Option #2 will be to recruit new qualified tradesman into our local union to meet market manpower demands.

As of July 23, 2008 we have 173 Local 67 members out on travel card. If the unemployed and travelling members do not man our local area projects, we must fulfill our obligations to man these projects, and if it means exercising option #2, we will.  

Plumbers Residential Council of Ontario (P.R.C.O.)

As I have previously reported, meetings have been ongoing with the U.A. Canadian Head Office, Local 46 (Toronto) and the nine P.R.C.O. affiliates to negotiate a blended residential agreement in this sector. There have been many obstacles to overcome and at times it appeared that both parties could not reach an agreement and would continue with their respective mandates and collective agreements.

Once again, negotiations are ongoing and we will continue to participate if a common consensus can be reached and not heavily favoured to one party’s interests, but what is beneficial to the U.A. as a whole. I will keep you informed as we move forward in this matter.  

Local 67 Residential Agreement/P.R.C.O.

On May 20, 2003 Local 67 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Hamilton signed a Residential Collective Agreement for our O.L.R.B. board areas, Zone 9 and 9A.

Our local signatory contractors did not actively pursue work in this sector, and with the creation of the

P.R.C.O. Residential, some Locals including Hamilton, assigned their Local bargaining rights to P.R.C.O.

On June 7, 2004 this assignment of rights to the Plumbers Residential Council was so directed. The next step in this process was to notify the M.C.A.H. that Local 67 wished to negotiate a P.R.C.O. Residential Agreement to replace the existing local residential agreement and they were so notified on May 7, 2008.

After several rounds of negotiations, both parties ratified a memorandum of agreement within the P.R.C.O. Residential Agreement.

All M.C.A.H. signatory contractors are now bound to the P.R.C.O. agreement in our Local board areas. With this ratification in Hamilton the number of P.R.C.O. signatory contractors in the Province went from thirty­nine (39) to eighty­one (81).  

Our goals and mandate is to secure work in this sector, and organize the unrepresented, so they may enjoy a better standard of living as we in the U.A. do now. 

New P.R.C.O. Signatory  Contractor

Through the efforts of our O.P.T.C. organizer, Mark Ellerker, McConnell Plumbing and Heating Ltd. has been organized and is the first P.R.C.O. contractor in our area, working in this sector. McConnell has been in business for thirty (30) plus years and we welcome the two principle owners, who are also now members, Jim McConnell and Dan Rakoczy, in addition to their eight employees, who were recently sworn­in as U.A. members. Local 67 is committed to developing a lasting and harmonious working relationship with McConnell Plumbing and our new members, so that everyone prospers and it sets a standard for a Union/Employer/ Employee environment well into the future.

McConnell Plumbing has also signed a voluntary recognition agreement in the Provincial I.C.I. sector.

Once again, congratulations to all of our new brothers, and special thanks to Mark for his dedicated organizing efforts.  

Weld Training Centre

The latest update on our new facility is largely unchanged. Construction has not commenced due to the following issues: arranging mortgage funding has been difficult, although it is still not finalized as of July 24, 2008. Secondly, the Hamilton Conservation Authority has raised objections to the 13.5 metre easement that abuts our eastern property line. The H.C.A. did not raise any objections during the site planning committee variance period which ended on June 4, 2008, but subsequently had issues in late June 2008. A meeting was arranged with all principal parties, including the H.C.A. and our local Alderman, Tom Jackson, to facilitate a compromise on the H.C.A. position that we needed an environmental assessment study done on the impact of building in close proximity of their property. The result of that meeting was, the H.C.A. would issue a letter of acceptance to the City of Hamilton by the end of July 2008, if our architect provided a detailed landscaping drawing of the easement area involved. The City of Hamilton will not proceed with a building permit without the approval of the

H.C.A. Hopefully by early August 2008 we can apply for a building permit. It has been several months since we started on the planning and construction process of this facility and many of the delays are common to projects of this type. Moving forward, we are still firmly committed to advancing this facility and hopefully in the next few months we will see construction proceeding.  

O.L.R.B. Decision/Modules

In August 2005 the final work assignments were made for the Biox Biodiesel facility in Hamilton. Local 67 contested the awarding of the installation of prefabricated modules with U.A. work attached at the original mark­up with the final assignment of this work to the Iron Workers. Local 67 filed a jurisdictional dispute at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. After several appearances for submissions and evidence the hearings were completed in early 2008. On July 15, 2008 the O.L.R.B. issued its decision which is,

1                    The board confirms the assignment of the work dispute to the Iron Workers.

2                  Nothing in the decision should be taken as detracting from the U.A.’s traditional jurisdiction over piping, piping equipment and piping formations.

However, the employer properly assigned the work in dispute to the Iron Workers herein, which is work in relation to a single system, comprised of multi­purpose supports including the modular units on those supports.

3.     For the foregoing reasons, the U.A.’s application is dismissed.

Unfortunately, the risk of filing grievances or jurisdictional disputes at the O.L.R.B. is a recorded decision that upholds a contractor’s assignment of work to another trade for a particular project, or future projects of a similar nature.  

Mohawk College Scholarship

Congratulations to Kyla Tonkin, daughter of Local 67 member, Mark Tonkin, who has been awarded the $1500.00 scholarship at Mohawk College for 2008. Kyla is a second year graphic design student and we wish her success in her future studies.  

Closing Comments

I would like to remind our members to always initiate safe work habits and conditions in the workplace for yourself as well as for all trades people. Safety is top priority over productivity and performance, and your focus is to go home at the end of the work day, the same as how you reported for work, safe and healthy.

The next newsletter is tentatively scheduled to be mailed out in late October, early November.

Esso Refinery Nanticoke

DHIN 2 – Catalyst change – August 2008, support and small items

Co Boiler T/A – August 2008, support and small items

AKLY T/A – October 2008 – 75­100 U.A. men

SRU Incinerator and stack T/A – April 2009, total resources unknown

Main Flare Stack – April 2009, total resources unknown

SCVU Vac Structure – April 2009, support and small items

CSVU heaters – April 2009, support and small items

All these shutdowns have a small amount of NEC (Nanticoke Engineering Construction) projects included. Nothing to large.

The Incinerator job would be the largest.

Over all there is a lot of prep work and miscellaneous small to medium sized shutdowns until next summer. Esso are trying to level manpower as possible to help out as possible.  

17 UA people at this time. By the end of September 2008 50 to 60 UA people for the Alky unit shutdown.

37 UA people on days, 20 UA people on nights, duration 32 days.  

Aker Construction Ltd. Esso Maintenance

42 UA people – they will hire for Co Boiler shutdown.

On August 11, 2008 Jacobs Industrial Services will take over as the new maintenance contractor. As in the past personnel will just change over to the new employer. Jacobs Industrial Services will hire for the Alky Unit shutdown and other maintenance/ongoing work. Jacobs personnel numbers will increase due to more work to be done late fall.  

Ontario Hydro Nanticoke

Recently it was announced there would be three contractors signed to the O.P.G. – Nanticoke

G.S. master services agreement. They being, Aker Construction Ltd., E.S. Fox Construction and Sutherland Schultz Inc.

Aecon will continue to finish their contracts and bid on outage work.

E.S. Fox construction has received two purchase orders, 125 roof drains and 5 fire hydrants. They are hiring to build a crew for future work at Ontario Hydro Nanticoke.

Look for continued investment at Ontario Hydro Nanticoke to clean up emissions 50% by 2011. Look for a project can­sold, 5 modular skids for CO2 emission capture October 2008 to arrive. They are committed to extend generation of power and clean up of emissions till 2014. 

At this time they have 5 UA people. They also have some

work packages. Aker anticipates bidding on numerous packages for August 2008, 95 day outage. 

Sutherland Schultz Inc.

Will bid on work for the 95 day August 2008 outage on Unit #2 when they receive work they too will hire.  

Air Liquide Nanticoke Expansion

E.S. Fox has the purchase order for the 12” – 13,000 foot oxygen line to U.S. Steel Nanticoke to terminate at the blast furnace. Start date September 2008 for eleven months. 18 to 20 UA people.  

Ongoing increased maintenance and clean­up at their Hot Strip Mill, BOSC furnace, blast furnace and coke ovens upgrade.

On site contractors are Aecon, Comstock and Shewfelt.

Look for the announcement of major expansion at U.S. Steel Lake Erie shortly.

Members please be aware of increased surveillance for alcohol and drugs, speeding and safety violations. Remember our Standard of Excellence.  

All our fab­shops are having a positive year, total UA people

234. Your full­time officers commend the excellent standards of work being done.

In closing enjoy the fall months, travel safely, enjoy family and friends.

As we are nearing the end of another beautiful season I hope all our members and their families had a safe and enjoyable summer. The kids will soon be returning to school and your households can get back to normal.

The work situation has been steadily increasing over the past month or so with a number of calls going unfilled. We cannot stress enough how crucial it is to our Unionized Contractors that we man these jobs. We realize that a number of our members had no other choice but to travel in light of the lack of jobs in the Local 67 jurisdiction, but as projected, the jobs are finally starting to progress and we need our hard working brothers and sisters to return home and fill these jobs. Please call the Hotline to get daily updates on the work commencing or feel free to call our office to speak to Les or myself to get a full update on projects which will suite your needs.  

Update on Current Projects / Upcoming Projects

Black and Macdonald continue to go strong at the General Hospital site with approximately 28 UA people onsite.

Sayers and Associates are also at the General with a fairly small crew on an 11 million dollar project. Some hiring expected in the near future.

Urban Mech. is slowly moving forward at the Henderson Hospital Project with a small crew. They anticipate increasing manpower within the next few weeks.

Geonis Mech. currently employs approx. 20 UA people on a number of Commercial and Institutional projects throughout our jurisdiction including 2nd floor renovations at the Degroote building at Mac and renovations at G.S. Armstrong School on Concession Street. Further hiring anticipated.

Comstock has ongoing work at Mapleview Mall in Burlington with approx. 5 UA people onsite. They also have members at Phase 3 of the Pulverized Coal Injection project, Fabrication at there Parkdale shop and ongoing work at Esso, U.S. Steel in Nanticoke and Hilton Works.  

Trademark Industrial has been on site at Mittel steel on Strathearne Ave. changing out boilers along with various related pipe work. Approx. 5 UA people.

Nelco Mech. is currently very busy in the commercial sector with a number of projects on the go including The Centre Mall site with a Zellers, Canada Trust, CIBC, Scotia Bank, Royal Bank, Shoppers Drug Mart, Credit Union and 2 Retail Block Malls. Nelco was also awarded the Plumbing and the Mechanical at a new Walmart store in Burlington.

This store is said to be the largest in Canada and will include a heat recovery system and radiant heating. Approx. Total hrs. – 15,000. ( 3000 hrs with MRF assistance )

Further inquiries have lead us to believe that Black and Macdonald has been contracted to do the Hamilton City Hall renovations through the ABE Group. Start date and manpower requirements unknown at this time. We will keep you posted.

The State Group is in full swing at the PCI site with approx. 24 UA people continuing with Phase 2 of this project. Comstock has been awarded Phase 3 of this project and anticipates needing approx. 40­50 UA people for this Phase.

Comstock has also been awarded the 2nd phase to bring #3 Blast Furnace back on line. Manpower requirements not known at time of writing this report.

E.S. Fox has work at #3 By­Products and continues with various Maintenance work throughout this facility. Recently we have had reports of our members being asked to perform unsafe work by Dofasco personnel for which they have been assigned. We would like to remind our members that you have the Right to Refuse Unsafe Work. If you find yourself in a situation that you are being asked to do work which may be unsafe, please have your Dofasco contact notify their safety department for a full assessment before commencing work.

Just as a reminder, the AMD Standing Committee meets once a month to deal with and address any issues which may arise involving this Site Agreement. If you have any concerns, please feel free to forward them to our office so they can be dealt with at the next scheduled meeting.

Also, I would like to take a moment to recognize our brothers working at the PCI project. Recently they noticed other trades people loosely installing 2” nitrogen lines to a hopper prior to a lift. The Steward immediately notified the hall to inform us of this work being performed and asked the other trade to hold off until given clearance to proceed. After a visit to the site and a brief discussion with the Anmar general foreman they immediately called Aker Solutions Steamfitters to proceed with the installation. Thanks to the watchful eyes of our members and Steward Dave Marcus, the job was completed by the proper trade. Good job guys! Keep up the good work!  

Recent Market Recovery Projects

Thanks to the watchful eye of one of our members who recently started with Johnson Controls a few months ago, it came to our attention that the payroll deductions were not correct. After a brief investigation it was determined that the company was taking Market Recovery Deductions off twice. We worked with Johnson Controls payroll dept. to sort out the mistake and we are happy to report that a total of $49,931.90 was reimbursed to 6 of our members for overpayment of contributions. Once again, this proves the importance of keeping a close eye on your remittances and cross referencing your pay stubs. Had it not been for a member with a keen eye this may have gone unnoticed. Thanks Brother!  

Recently, we were contacted by one of our signatory contractors who were concerned about a recent tender at Mohawk College and the fact that it was awarded to a non­union contractor whose name did not appear on the prequalified list. Local 67 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Hamilton spared no time getting to the bottom of this situation and contacted the College to express our concerns. Within a day the problem was rectified and the project went to the lowest bid from the prequalified list of Union Contractors. Thanks to the Contractor feeling confident in calling Local 67 and asking for help, this situation may have had a different outcome. Again, this confirms the importance of working with our Contractors in a professional manor in order to achieve our common goal. More work for Organized Labour and our Contractors.

Geoff Roman, Business Agent