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August
2008 |
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Business Manager’s Report
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BobBolan |
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.
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Fraternally
Yours, |
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Robert Bolan, Business Manager |
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Business Agent, Les
Ellerker’s Repor |
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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.
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Comstock Esso Refinery |
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.
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Aker Construction Ltd. |
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.
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Lake Erie U.S. Steel |
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.
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Local 67 FabShops |
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.
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Fraternally Yours, |
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Les Ellerker,
Assistant Business Manager/ Business Agent |
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Business Agent, Geoff
Roman’s Report
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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.
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Arcelor Mittel Dofasco |
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.
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Have
a safe and happy fall season, and remember “Don’t Drink and
Drive”. |
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Fraternally
Yours, |
Geoff Roman, Business Agent
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P.A.C.
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Your Political Action Committee is committed to providing the
members of Local 67 with any relevant information which affects our members and
the environment we work in. The following article came from the Council of
Ontario Construction Association (COCA)
“Return to Work Regulation for Construction”
The
Ontario Government has proclaimed a new Construction Return to Work (RTW)
Regulation to become effective September 1, 2008. The regulation will require
that all contractors regardless of size will have the responsibility to provide
available and suitable reemployment for their injury and for a duration of one
year after the worker is medically able to perform the essential duties of the
preinjury employment.
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J.A.T.C. Update |
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Income
Support for Apprentices |
Bill 99 included a responsibility to develop a construction
specific regulation that would apply to all contractors regardless of size. COCA
has been involved in on again off again discussion with the construction unions,
various employer groups and the WSIB. An agreement was forged in December 2006
that is the basis for the regulation that will be implemented in September.
The WSIB is committed to developing policies to support the
regulations. They will consult with industry officials by June to fill in the
gaps for the regulations. This is important as some important features agreed to
are not in the regulation and therefore need to be included in the policies.
They
will also develop and deliver a plan to communicate the new requirements to the
construction industry. This will
not
be easy. Employers with less than 20 workers have not had RTW requirements
applied until now. Small employers often have fewer opportunities to reemploy
workers and there are over 50,000 small construction employers who need to be
informed of their new responsibilities and prepare to respond should they have a
Lost Time Injury.
COCA will work with the WSIB to develop policies that best
reflect the approach we championed for effective RTW. We will also work with the
WSIB to summarize the requirements and the application of the regulation.
COCA
recognizes that this is a complex and difficult requirement for many contractors
and we will work to support policies and information to help the construction
industry implement it.
All claims for Employment Insurance Benefits must be filed online
at www.servicecanada.gc.ca
A representative from Service Canada will be meeting with your
class during the first week of training. They will provide you with the
apprentice reference code assigned to your course and answer any questions you
may have.
If you are entitled to EI Benefits when you start training but
your claim will expire while in school you must:
a) Reapply
for a new claim or
b)
If you do not have sufficient insured hours of employment to re qualify
for Employment Insurance you will received
100% of your current weekly benefit rate from the time your claim
would normally expire until the end of your training course. Please bring it to
the attention of the representative from the Labour Market and Training Division
of the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities who will be visiting your
classroom to determine your eligibility for allowances the first week of
training.
If
you do not qualify for EI Benefits and/or have had a recent claim expire, speak
to a representative from the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities at
the intake or at
(905)
5744570 as you may qualify for a Living Allowance while in training.
Supplementary
Allowances
Apprentices
who are filing a claim for EI Benefits for the first time or who have not
established an EI Benefits claim in the past 4 years or who have not established
a claim for Maternity or Parental EI in the past 5 years will not be paid any
allowances until such time as their entitlement to EI Benefits has been
established.
DEADLINE
FOR APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATIONS for the 2009 intakes will be Friday October 31, 2008. Applications
can be picked up at the J.A.T.C. office at 195 Dartnall Rd., Suite 103, between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. on Friday.
If you do not qualify for the above, you will not be entitled to
any income support while attending school.
Important Information
EI enquiries: 18002067218 or use “My EI Information online”
at www.servicecanada.gc.ca.
For Commuting Allowance, Dependant Care Allowance, Living Away
From Home Allowance or Trainee Travel enquiries call 9055744515.
Note:
If
you have not received your allowances by the end of your course or you do not
think you have been authorized for the correct amount please contact Service
Canada prior
to the course send date. Allowances will not be
authorized or amended once training has been completed.
Service Canada Centres
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Monday –
Friday |
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8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
1550 Upper James St (SW corner beside Sport Mart)
2255 Barton St E (corner of Nash and Barton)
Free parking at both locations
Recently,
Brother Jason Felker received his instructor training certificate from W.H.S.C.,
Worker Training Workers Program. On behalf of the officers and members of Local
67 we would like to congratulate Jason for his commitment towards promoting
Health & Safety in the work place.
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Social Scene |
The UA local 67 Picnic at Christie Lake Conservation Area was a
great success. Although, the weather was not what we would have hoped, as
always, Local 67 members and their families made the best of the situation. The
turnout was good considering the amount of members on travel card. The children
enjoyed the face painting clowns, UA tattoos, balls, Frisbees, Games and, of
course, the great food. We would like to thank all the volunteers and committee
members for a job well done. We look forward to next years picnic and we hope to
see you their.
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2008 Golf Tournament |
This
year’s tournament was held at Flamborough Hills in Copetown. The turnout was
excellent with 144 golfers participating. Other than a brief rainfall mid way,
the day proved to be a huge success. Once again, the Dolman clan took 1st place
with 13 under par. Your Social Committee is already busy working on the 2009
tournament. Tentatively, next years event will be held July 11th, 2009 at Willow
Valley, one of the finest courses in Ontario. We look forward to seeing you
there.
Upcoming
Labour Day Celebrations
Monday,
September 1, 2008
All
members and their families are welcome to march in the Labour Day Parade. Bring
your comfy shoes and come out for the fun and celebration. We will be meeting at
the South East corner of Lock and York St. (look for the Lockerbie and Hole
Truck), between 9:00am and 9:30am. Hats and shirts will be distributed at this
location. Parking and washroom facilities are available at Dundurn Park. Join
your fellow brother and sisters after the parade in Dundurn park for burgers,
sausage on a bun and a soft drink.
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Online
Banking Update |
We are pleased to advise, that the online banking has been up and
running for the past few months and we have worked out all the flaws that have
occurred. This process has been a great success so far and hopefully benefits
you in the long run as you can save time by having the convenience of paying
your dues from your own home computer.
The current branches that are available are:
Royal
Bank
Bank
of Montreal
TD
Canada Trust
Scotia
Bank
Credit
Union
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C.I.B.C. |
First time users will need to input the payee as UA Local 67. The
account number consists of 10 digits, your card number with either 3 or 4 zeros
in front of it, totaling 10 digits. Once this procedure is complete you are
ready to go. We at Local 67 will then receive the report on a daily basis
stating the amount that you have paid and will process the amount and mail you
out a receipt, stating what you have paid. Payments will get processed on a
daily basis. As you are all aware we will be no longer be excepting post dated
cheques for 2009. Again we hope you will take advantage of the online banking,
as it has been a long time coming.
Travel
Card Dues Reminder
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Recently we have had difficulty
retrieving our members’ travel cards back from the host local due to
unpaid travel card dues. |
Please be advised that it is your responsibility to pay all
outstanding travel card dues prior to leaving the host local.
Local
67 cannot dispatch a member to a local project prior to receiving your travel
card back from the host local.
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