Hard Hat Winter 2011

Uniting ARCCAW members across Alberta and the Northwest Territories Winter 2011 Uniting ARCCAW members across Alberta and the Northwest Territories Winter 2011

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40063788 Return undeliverable mail to 200-15210 123 Ave Edmonton,AB T5V 0A3

Cash Control 8 tips to manage your money

Expansion Plans B.C. company committed to hiring union

High-Tech Healing BTA Courage Centre grand opening

Photos from

the children’s

Christmas parties,

tool reviews,

HH_Winter11_p01.indd 1 1/28/11 11:58:24 AM

The DEWALT Family of Heavy-Duty

Cordless Power Tools is proud to

announce the arrival of its’ newest addition,

the Compact line of 12V MAX* LITHIUM ION cordless

tools. Each of the tools in the system weighs less than

3 lbs so you can work all day long. The 12V MAX*

LITHIUM ION batteries deliver exceptional performance

and extended run-time. Innovative features, such as,

one-handed bit loading capability, 3 LED lights and a sleek

contoured handle design are all part of a 12V system

that other compact tools will look up to.

12VMAX*1/4” ImpactDriver

12VMAX*lithium ion is alightweight yetpowerful option thatcompliments theDEWALT 18v cordlesssystem of tools.

12VMAX*Inspection Camera

*Maximum initial battery pack voltage (measured without a workload) is 12 volts. Measured under a workload, nominal voltage is 10.8.

Copyright ©2010 DEWALT. The following are examples of trademarks for one or more DEWALT power tools and accessories: The yellow and black color scheme;the “D”-shaped air intake grill; the array of pyramids on the handgrip; the kit box configuration; and the array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.

12VMAX*3/8” Drill/Driver

12VMAX*1/4” Screwdriver

12VMAX*3/8” ImpactWrench

12VMAX*InfraredThermometer

12VMAX*LEDWorklight

000HH.DeWalt_DPS_wBL.indd 1 9/20/10 3:07:38 PMHH_Winter11_p02-03.indd 2 1/28/11 12:01:29 PM

The DEWALT Family of Heavy-Duty

Cordless Power Tools is proud to

announce the arrival of its’ newest addition,

the Compact line of 12V MAX* LITHIUM ION cordless

tools. Each of the tools in the system weighs less than

3 lbs so you can work all day long. The 12V MAX*

LITHIUM ION batteries deliver exceptional performance

and extended run-time. Innovative features, such as,

one-handed bit loading capability, 3 LED lights and a sleek

contoured handle design are all part of a 12V system

that other compact tools will look up to.

12VMAX*1/4” ImpactDriver

12VMAX*lithium ion is alightweight yetpowerful option thatcompliments theDEWALT 18v cordlesssystem of tools.

12VMAX*Inspection Camera

*Maximum initial battery pack voltage (measured without a workload) is 12 volts. Measured under a workload, nominal voltage is 10.8.

Copyright ©2010 DEWALT. The following are examples of trademarks for one or more DEWALT power tools and accessories: The yellow and black color scheme;the “D”-shaped air intake grill; the array of pyramids on the handgrip; the kit box configuration; and the array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.

12VMAX*3/8” Drill/Driver

12VMAX*1/4” Screwdriver

12VMAX*3/8” ImpactWrench

12VMAX*InfraredThermometer

12VMAX*LEDWorklight

000HH.DeWalt_DPS_wBL.indd 1 9/20/10 3:07:38 PMHH_Winter11_p02-03.indd 3 1/28/11 12:01:38 PM

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4 HARDHAT WINTER2011

Executive Secretary Treasurer’s REPORTA Look Back at 2010

Martyn A. Piper

Now that 2010 is in the history books, it is worth spending a few moments to reflect on what the

year brought us. In many respects, it was a year of soul-searching and reflection. Thankfully, employment held steady. However, not since the ’80s have we been confronted by so many challenges and new issues. The highlight of the year will inevitably turn out to be the frame-work bargaining process which resulted in the majority of the Building Trades and Registered Employers organizations engaging in an integrated mutual gains bargaining process for common indus-trial terms. It took a long time to develop the process, but hopefully the outcomes, which will be voted on by the member-ship in the spring, will have been worth the investment. Before we get to that place, however, we will be continuing to finalize our trade specific items.

I am sure I speak for my colleagues across the Building Trades when I say we were really left with no choice but to engage in a full and candid discussion around the bargaining table. In effect, the agreement to rework the consoli-dated groups and engage in a multi-trade process really developed out of our court challenge to the collective bargaining legislation. Regardless, as our market share is continually being threatened and as owners consider all their options with respect to price, safety, productivity and dependability, we had to do what is in the best interest of the unionized construc-tion industry. It serves no purpose to put our fair contractors in an uncompetitive position, thereby jeopardizing future work opportunities. In comparison to previous years, 2011 is going to be slow,

although work in 2012 looks a whole lot more promising. Some of the recent joint venture announcements have triggered some sense of optimism with previously held back projects.

Drug and alcohol testing issues remain on the radar screen for a myriad of rea-sons: there are those for and those against it, questions relative to human rights, court and legislative interest. Clearly this issue is a permanent fixture for the future. The fact of the matter is until drugs and alcohol disappear from job sites and camps, this issue will not go away. The owners have made it clear they are not prepared to tolerate this type of behaviour on their sites and are prepared to go to great lengths to ensure they com-plete their mission.

The year 2010 saw compressed work schedules contained in the Special Project Needs Agreement become the norm, particularly for projects in the Wood Buffalo region. These schedules have essentially eliminated overtime pro-visions as we have traditionally known them, and now compensation is paid on a certain number of hours inclusive of premium and regular time per work schedule. The compressed work schedule typically includes flights and also a guar-antee of time off on furloughs. Worked out over the year, one can argue that the salary still exceeds that of the competi-tion, is reasonable and ensures that every-one is home at regular intervals.

In 2010 we were able to negotiate the conversion of pension contributions into pay for retirees who were unable to enhance their pension benefit when returning to work. Although we were unable to achieve the same for appren-

tices, this has gone a long way in relieving the frustration felt by our pensioners.

In 2010, Local 2103 concluded litiga-tion with the old officers of the Building and Benevolent Society, who caved on their claim to the Calgary Building, and now the properly elected officers of 2103 are the officers of the Society, the build-ing is properly back in the hands of the Local and all bank accounts seized and in the hands of Local 2103. This long and unnecessary legal battle was expensive, uncalled for and resulted in member-ship loss for a few individuals. Hopefully we can now turn our attention to what is really required in Calgary with respect to new offices and training facilities.

These, Brothers and Sisters, are just a few of the many issues we have been working on over the last year, and it is because of a great membership, dynamic staff team, executive boards and dele-gates of the Regional Council that we are able to deal efficiently, honestly and expe-ditiously with them. The Brotherhood in Alberta is on sound financial footing, with solid infrastructure and resources to support the operation.

There is no doubt 2011 will offer up another set of challenges, but none too great that we cannot overcome. The world does not stand still. Times change, and with it we must adapt.

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FEATURES

10 ABriefViewofOurUnion ListingsofRegionalCouncilexecutive boards,delegatesandcommittees

12 BolsteringCourage Anewhigh-techrehabilitationcentre opens,thankstothesupportoflocal tradeunions ByCailynnKlingbeil

18 ManagingYourMoney Financialplanningtipsfortoday andtomorrow ByTriciaRadison

20 FullSteamAhead Interproreliesonthespecializedskills ofunionizedmillwrights ByLisaRicciotti

22 TheAngolaProject A1325membershareshisexperiences workingonanoverseasproject ByFraserTodd

DEPARTMENTS

4 NoteFromtheExecutive SecretaryTreasurer ByMartynPiper

6 SiteLines BTAConvention2010,Coldremedies fromthetrade-roomfloor;Onthejob withBillAlton;Callfortooldonations

9 GearedUp Toolstohelpyouworkbetter

26 KidZone Children’sChristmaspartyphotos

28 TrainingandApprenticeship Report ByLenBryden

29 Local1460MillwrightsReport ByBobHugh

30 PartingShot

31 Training&Events;InMemoriam

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Edmonton 780-471-3200 FortMcMurray 780-743-1442 Calgary 403-283-0747 CarpentersTrainingCentre 780-455-6532 CarpentersHealthandWelfare 780-477-9131 CarpentersPension 780-477-9131 IndustrialWorkers 403-283-0747 MillwrightLocal1460 780-430-1460 LocalUnion1325and2103Dispatch 1-888-944-0818

PUBLIShEdFOR:

AlbertaRegionalCouncilofCarpenters&AlliedWorkers

15210–123AvenueEdmonton,AlbertaT5V0A3

Tel:(780)474-8599/Fax:(780)474-8910www.albertacarpenters.com

PUBLIShEdBY:

VenturePublishingInc.10259–105Street

Edmonton,AlbertaT5J1E3Toll-free:1-866-227-4276Phone:(780)990-0839Fax:(780)425-4921

www.venturepublishing.ca

PUBLIShERRuth Kelly

ASSOCIATEPUBLIShERJoyce Byrne

ARCCAWEdITORMartynA.Piper

EdITORKimTannas

ARTdIRECTORCharlesBurke

ASSISTANTARTdIRECTORColinSpence

PROdUCTIONCOORdINATORBetty-LouSmith

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERSCailynnKlingbeil,LindseyNorris,TriciaRadison,

LisaRicciotti,FraserTodd,JimVeenbaasCONTRIBUTINGPhOTOGRAPhERS

ANdILLUSTRATORS3TEN,BuffyGoodman

VICE-PRESIdENT,SALESAnitaMcGillis

AdVERTISINGREPRESENTATIVELeahMawer

SALESASSISTANTJuliaEhli

Contents©2011byARCCAWInc.Nopartofthispublicationshouldbereproduced

withoutwrittenpermission.

Important Phone Numbers

hARdhAT WINTER 2011 5

ONThECOVER:SkylerBeynon,NATACCanadianNationalApprenticeship

contestwinner-Photographedby3TEN

12

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Contents

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Site Lines

Cold Comfort

News in Brief

There are a lot of myths about the common cold. Over 50 years ago, scientists at the Common Cold Research Unit in England debunked the idea that catching a chill would give you a case of the sniffles, and discovered you’re as likely to catch a cold in the Sahara as you are in Fort McMurray. Not content with stopping there, scientists moved on to debunk many remedies that were supposed to cure colds – chicken soup, orange juice, lots of fluids. Today, cold researchers don’t agree on much, but they do agree on this: colds will run their course no matter what you do.

Still, some people swear that their home remedies help them feel better, and there’s no arguing with that. In that vein, we offer a non-scientific array of cold remedies taken from a non-scientific survey of the trade room floor.

1. RAW GARLICThe theory: Garlic contains allicin, which has antifungal and antibacterial properties.How to use it: Raw, baby. Chop it or crush it to maximize the allicin content.

2. LEMON TEAThe theory: Warm fluids can loosen congestion and prevent dehydration.How to use it: Without whisky. The “hot toddy” may be a mainstay, but booze won’t help your cold.

3. BUCKLEY’S MIXTUREThe theory: It contains capsaicin, which acts as an analgesic (pain-killer) long term.How to use it: Like all over-the-counters, according to package directions.

4. RAT ROOT TEA The theory: This herb has been used for centuries in aboriginal and Chinese medicine for a variety of ailments, including clearing the nasal passagesHow to use it: Warm. Ideally, not in the vicinity of real rats.

5. VITAMIN C The theory: Some studies suggest high doses reduce a cold’s duration. Other studies dispute this. Insufficient vitamin C leads to scurvy, so make sure you’re getting enough, cold or no cold.How to use it: Get your daily dose from citrus fruits, red and green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, and greens.

6. CHICKEN SOUPThe theory: Whether it’s the smell, steam or heat, chicken soup increases “nasal mucus velocity.” (Get the tissues out.)How to use it: Ideally, someone else makes it, and you stay in bed.

*Note: some remedies, even natural ones, can have side-effects and may

be dangerous in high doses or if you have underlying health issues. Best to

talk to your doctor.

A roundup of news and events from around the region

Convention Roundup

In early October, members of the Building Trades of Alberta gathered in Jasper for an annual executive meeting and convention.

This year’s theme was “The Leadership Commitment,” and speakers included Navy SEAL and Rhodes scholar Eric Greitens, MLA Thomas Lukaszuk, and Mark Breslin, who became the CEO of the Engineering and Utility Contractors Association (EUCA) when he was 26 and now writes books and speaks across North America about labour-management relations.

Breslin had some blunt advice regarding Canada’s construction industry. While the industry has grown about 15 per cent per year, Breslin warned that the union share of the work pie has not grown proportionately. He says, going forward, unions need to be proactive, focus on economics over politics, and avoid being derailed by naysayers reluctant to change.

What went down at the Building Trades of Alberta 2010 Convention

6 HARDHAT WINTER 2011


Before he became a carpenter, Bill Alton was a folk singer. His bread-and-butter was singing and songwriting, and the occasional jam in a few rock bands. Today, he’s largely left the stage behind, but he still regularly performs: as ARCCAW’s union education co-ordinator, his audience is potential union members. You can find him in the halls of the 1325 office in Edmonton or 2103 in Calgary, and periodically in Fort McMurray, screening and training potential members. He knows a little something about union advantages: after he left the music scene, he took a job at a construction site and became a carpenter’s apprentice in the union in the ’70s. In 2001, he became an organizer and got involved in orientations. We talk with Bill about the job.

What do you look for in a new member?Skill and training are important and, in our opinion, it is a mistake to bring people into the organization if they don’t understand what a union is, and secondly what our union is. I spend a fair bit of time explaining the philosophy of our union, of collective effort and advantage, and their role in that. They have to understand that if they want the advantage of being a union member.

What do you go over in these orientations?First and foremost, they need to know how our dispatch system works. If they don’t, they’ll never get work. You have to interact with it; if you don’t, no one is going to call you. If you don’t ask for a job, you won’t get offered one.

Any common misconceptions?There is a misunderstanding that I try to diffuse immediately: that membership means a job. It means access to a pool of work; it doesn’t necessarily mean a job.

Any funny stories?Not funny, but heartwarming. On one occasion when I was out for supper with my wife, this guy came up to us and said, “Bill, you changed my life. You signed me up.” And he’s talking about something that happened two years ago. He has gone on from someone who came in at the entry level, taken my advice and is now established in the trade, working his way through his apprenticeship.

What’s great about your job?It’s the best job in the hall. When people approach me, when they approach the union, they approach it full of optimism. In a way what I do is a performance: it has to attract people to me enough that they’ll listen.

Centre Stage

A Place for Your ToolsWhen a loved one passes away, deciding what to do with the things they leave behind can be overwhelming for family and friends.

Dave Quigley, a millwright and longtime union member who worked in Fort McMurray, had an assortment of precision millwright tools that he had collected over many years. When he passed away, his daughter, Dawn Quigley, generously donated the tools to the union, which are now on display in a growing collection of antique tools in the Regional Council building.

“A lot of people don’t know what to do with these tools,” says Bob Hugh, who has been involved in the creation of the training trust fund meant to find a home for these items in the Regional Council’s display. “So if you have some tools lying around, or maybe your father’s or grandpa’s tools, you can donate them to the fund.”

You may have noticed a certain joiner’s bench in the ARCCAW headquarters in Edmonton. It was a donation from Bob Hugh, who hopes to encourage other members to add to the collection of carpentry and millwright antique tools on display.

Talk to Len Bryden at the Provincial Training Centre (780-454-6699) or Bob Hugh at the Regional Council (780-430-1460) about tool donations.

Add to the Archives

Guess the ToolCan you guess the name of these antique tools?

(Answer on Page 8)

HARDHAT WINTER 2011 7

Skyler Beynon’s first-place finish at the NATAC Canadian National Apprenticeship contest in September 2010 was a source of pride for Millwrights Local 1460 and the entire Regional Council. Congratulations to Skyler for taking his hard-earned skills in millwrighting and demonstrating his talent at the national level.

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Answer to “Guess the Tool”

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Get ahead financially.

Speak to us today for:

• Investment planning and advice

• RSP, RRIF, TFSA and RESP guidance

• Mutual Funds, GICs and other investment solutions

• Mortgage and Borrowing services

® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Camille CoderreAccount Manager, Small [email protected]

Proud to support the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters & Allied Workers.

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When longtime 1325 member Alex Ciplak lost his wallet on the way to Edmonton from his scaffolding job in Fort McMurray, he didn’t expect to ever see it again. So when it was returned, all $800 intact, he was both shocked and moved. So much so that he wanted to give the money as a reward to the person who had returned it. When that person never came forward to claim the prize, he remained determined to share the generosity of that good deed.

“It’s Christmastime soon – I’m thinking I’d like to help a poor family,” the 71-year-old was quoted saying in the Edmonton Sun in November. “Yes, my money is back – sure. But someone else can share it with their family.”His son Ray Turkhan wasn’t surprised by his father’s reaction. “He’s such a hard-working man… I think this is amazing for him to do.”

Pay It Forward

These are cooper braces, also known as barrel-maker braces, which would have been used to – you guessed it – make barrels.

(From Page 7)


Geared Up

TURN UP THE HEATMilwaukee Electric Tool Corp. has developed a product that’s per-fect for the Alberta construction worker, or anyone else who has to brave the brutally cold winter temperatures on the prairies.

The 2330 M12 Cordless Heated Jacket brings the power of cordless technology to cloth-ing. Powered by rechargeable red lithium batteries, it can be used for cold job site con-ditions, winter sports and other outdoor activities.

The insulated soft shell jacket uses advanced cold weather technology to both warm the body and stimulate blood circu-lation, says the tool company. Loose-fitting and lightweight, it provides plenty of flexibility of movement and can be worn under-neath heavier construction gear or reflective vests.

Designed with three different heating zones, the jacket distrib-utes warmth evenly to core body areas. Plus, it can be adjusted to three different heat settings with an easy touch control on the left upper front of the jacket. Both wind and water resistant, it’s suit-able for a variety of harsh weather conditions.

The battery delivers six hours of heat per charge and tucks con-veniently with the charger into a zippered pocket on the backside of the jacket.

Now available for purchase in Canada, it retails for $149 for the jacket alone or $199 for the jacket with a battery and charger. Both options are offered since those with Milwaukee M12 tools already in their tool kit can use their existing batteries.www.milwaukeetool.com

GET A GRIPBessey has taken its famous German-produced all-steel clamps and made them even better, enhancing the design to make them stronger and improving the clamping force.

The Bessey 2400 Series welding clamp has three key features: a rail profile that has been optimized to enhance overall force by five per cent, a modified height-to-width ratio of the rail to

enhance clamping stability and greater rigidity that delivers 20 per cent more

clamping force per spindle turn. Its patented Morpad is a key element in providing

consistently high clamping pressures.With a larger jaw surface and long

rail, the 2400 Series is ready for the toughest assignments day in and day out. When used on its side, the clamp applies consistent pressure over a wider area, making it possible to use

fewer clamps on a project. The twist threads have also been deliberately oversized to allow more clamp movement

with fewer turns. This clamp is most suited for welding and metalworking. For woodworking, check out Bessey’s malleable cast clamp series. Prices range from $139 for an 8-inch welding clamp up to $300 for a 60-inch clamp. www.besseytools.com

MULTI-TASKING MARVELIt might be small, but the Fein MultiMaster packs a powerful punch. With a wide array of possible attachments, the MultiMaster is excellent for sanding, universal cutting, segmented cutting, grinding, scraping, dust extraction, profile sanding and more.

The first MultiMaster, which was introduced in 1986 by the German tool company, became a must-have almost overnight because of its unique oscillating motor that allows for extremely fine and delicate work. The latest version of the tool is powered by a 250-watt motor with electronic speed control and is better than ever because of improvements to the chuck.

With older models and most competitors, accessories can only be changed with an Allen wrench. The MultiMaster has a new changing system – a tab at the back of the tool that lifts up, releasing the chuck. Once the new attachment is on, simply press the tab back into place and lock in the attachment. This makes it easy to use and saves a lot of time from having to change attachments.

The MultiMaster is ideal for working on interior fittings, tile restoration, win-dow restoration, floor coverings and furniture, but has virtually unlimited applications, and can easily handle repair work on cars and boats and even building models.

Price is approximately $240 for a starter set, which includes accessories for sanding, scraping and sawing.www.multimaster.info

By JIM VEENBAAS

Tools to help you work better

The first MultiMaster, which was introduced




Bill Alton 1325Blaine Ball 1325Richard Bazak 1325Len Bryden 1325Dan Budd 1325Greg Budd 1325Richard Burton 1325Rob Carlson 1325Bob Cook 1325Mike Dunlop 1325Randy Dwernychuk 1325Dave Dwyer 1325Chester Fergusson 1325Todd Gartner 1325Doug Germaine 1325Bob Hardy 1325Michael Hert 1325Doug Hogan 1325

Gord Hrycun 1325Dave Hunter 1325Terry James 1325Devin Jean-Louis 1325Ralph Jewitt 1325Martin Kenny 1325Renee Lapierre 1325Len Lopatynski 1325Jason Misener 1325Graham Payne 1325George Pekarchik 1325Martyn Piper 1325Wilf Pipke 1325Bob Provencher 1325Moe Rahime 1325Leah Redmond 1325Steve Rossignol 1325Derrick Schulte 1325

Grover Sewell 1325Martin Smith 1325Greg Smith 1325Brandi Thorne 1325Dave Todd 1325Searle Turton 1325Perry Walsh 1325Greg White 1325Richard Winkenweder 1325Tom Debeljak 1460Hank Ell 1460Gord Evers 1460Bob Hugh 1460Dave Knight 1460Mike Lahti 1460Ted Remenda 1460Stephen Brazil 2103Hughie Bruce 2103

Mike Cooper 2103Randy Eirich 2103Gary Loroff 2103Joe Maloney 2103April Parsons 2103Bruce Payne 2103Tim Virtanen 2103Sean Watkinson 2103Shane Whitmore 2103Paul Zarbatany 2103Joe Budac 2010Clint Kittle 2010Ed Lonsdale 2010Troy O’Hearn 2010Vince Pariseau 2010Bob Sawatzky 2010Bill Weireter 2010

A BRief View Of OuR uniOnLocal Union Membership elects Executive Board (accountable to membership)• Membership considers and passes motions governing the Local Union at monthly meetings

Executive Board responsibilities include, but are not limited to:• Oversight and management of Local Union affairs• Maintain and disclose to membership detailed and accurate financial records• Hold regular monthly meetings• Record and maintain minutes• President appoints committees• Executive Board appoints Trust Fund Trustees• Execute duly passed motions• Fully accountable to the general membership

Local Union elects delegates to the Regional Council*Number of delegates based on local membership

Delegates elect Regional Council Executive Board and Executive Secretary Treasurer• Delegates consider and pass motions governing the Regional Council at quarterly meetings

Regional Council Executive Board respon-sibilities include, but are not limited to:• Oversight of Regional Council affairs• Authorize staff recruitment and final selection• Hold quarterly meetings• Maintain and disclose to delegates detailed and accurate financial records• Record and maintain minutes• Accountable to the delegate body of the Regional Council

Executive Secretary Treasurer (EST)*EST is essentially the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Council, with the accompany-ing responsibilities and the required author-ity, to execute those responsibilities. The EST is accountable to the Executive Board of the Regional Council and to the delegate body of the Regional Council.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:• The general management of financial and business affairs• Management and negotiation of all contracts• Management of contract disputes• Grievance procedures• Recruit and hire all staff - Final approval by Executive

Committee * All paid staff employed by Regional Council – Local Unions do not employ any paid staff• Appoints committees• Appoint professionals and consultants as required (lawyers, accountants, etc.)• Develop relationships with partner organizations• Develop relationships with government representatives and elected officials• Representative to the UBC General Executive Board• Report to the Regional Council Executive Board• Report to Regional Council Delegate Body• Ensure the management and execution of duly passed motions by the Delegate Body• The foregoing information represents a limited description of the governance of Local Unions and the Regional Council. Publications contain- ing the UBC Constitution and Alberta Regional Council Trade Rules and Bylaws should be consulted for further information.

Constitution-Trade Rules-Bylaws

DELEGATES (elected 2010)

Untitled-1 10 1/28/11 12:07:10 PM


EXECUTIVE BOARDS

ALBERTA REGIONAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARDBob Hugh, PresidentGreg Budd, Vice-PresidentMartyn Piper, Executive Secretary TreasurerBob Arnestad, TrusteeGord Evers, TrusteePaul Zarbatany, TrusteeTroy O’Hearn, WardenShane Whitmore, ConductorGary Loroff , Executive Committee MemberBill Alton, Executive Committee MemberRobert Provencher, Executive Committee Member/Finance Chair

LOCAL UNION 1460 MILLWRIGHTSDavid Knight, PresidentTed Remenda, Vice-PresidentNeal Hugh, Recording SecretaryBob Hugh, Financial SecretaryGord Evers, TreasurerPhilip (Wei) Yun, ConductorTom Debeljak, WardenHans Kruger, TrusteeKyle Middleton, TrusteeStephen Joy, Trustee

UBC Organization Chart

UBC International General Executive Board

LOCAL UNION 2010 EXECUTIVEWilliam Weireter, PresidentRobert Sawatzky, Vice-PresidentVince Pariseau, Recording SecretaryBhajan (Ben) Kang, Financial SecretaryTroy O’Hearn, TreasurerEdwin Lonsdale, TrusteeClint Kittle, TrusteeJoseph Budac, TrusteeFabian Cherewko, ConductorChris Robinson, WardenLeonia Vieira, AdvisorPhilip Banh, AdvisorRenato Danzo, AdvisorLaura Kuhl, Advisor

ALBERTA REGIONAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEBob Hugh, PresidentGreg Budd, Vice-PresidentMartyn Piper, Executive Secretary TreasurerGary Loroff , Executive Committee MemberBill Alton, Executive Committee MemberRobert Provencher, Executive Committee Member/Finance Chair

LOCAL UNION 1325 EXECUTIVEGreg Budd, PresidentDerrick Schulte, Vice-PresidentWilliam Alton, Recording SecretaryRobert Provencher, TreasurerRobbie Carlson, Financial SecretaryBrandi Thorne, ConductorDave Hunter, WardenLeonard Lopatynski, TrusteeSearle Turton, TrusteePerry Walsh, Trustee

LOCAL UNION 2103 EXECUTIVEPaul Zarbatany, PresidentShane Whitmore, Vice-PresidentJoe Maloney, Recording SecretaryMike Cooper, TreasurerGary Loroff , Financial SecretaryStephen Brazil, TrusteeRob Eirich, TrusteeMathew McLeod, TrusteeTim Virtanen, WardenHughie Bruce, Conductor

Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers

Central District

Southern District

Eastern District

Western District

Mid-Western District

Canadian District

Local Union 1325 Edmonton

Construction

Local Union 2103 Calgary

Construction

Local Union 2010 Province-Wide Industrial Shops

Local Union 1460 Province-Wide

Millwrights

Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers Delegate Body

Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers Executive Board

Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers Executive Committee

Untitled-1 11 1/28/11 12:07:17 PM

GRAND OPENING: Ron Harry, executive director of theBuilding Trades of Alberta, centre, uses a blue light saber in the virtual ribbon cutting ceremony that offi cially opened the new Building Trades of Alberta Courage Centre on November 4, 2010



A new high-tech rehabilitation centre opens, thanks to the support of local trade unions

AA futuristic ceremony complete with blue light sabersthat cut a virtual ribbon officially opened the new Building

Trades of Alberta Courage Centre at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton last November.

That sense of stepping into a scene from a science fiction film continued inside, as occupational therapists demonstrated the equipment and technology designed for the state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre.

The Courage Centre is divided into four zones – robotics, virtual reality, simulation and learning – and includes a driving simulator, robotic walking device, and Nintendo Wii balance activity centre. The Courage Centre harnesses the potential of new technologies, allowing patients to overcome the challenges they face faster and return to their communities with greater independence.

Ron Harry, executive director of the Building Trades of Alberta, described the opening of the centre as an exciting moment for everyone involved. “What this is about is helping Albertans to get back into their communities and into their lives, through rehabilitation,” said Harry.

A true team effort led to the Building Trades of Alberta Charitable Foundation making a lead gift of $1 million to the Courage Centre.


By CAILYNN KLINGBEIL | Photography by BUFFY GOODMAN

Additionally, five of the BTA’s affiliated unions made donations to the centre. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (Local 146), the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers, the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (Local Union 488), and the Construction & General Workers (Local 92) each made a commitment of $500,000 to the centre, and the Sheet Metal Workers International (Local 8) donated $20,000.

The Building Trades of Alberta Charitable Foundation was recently honoured for its generosity. The foundation received a 2010 National Philanthropy Day Award in the private foundation category, presented by the Edmonton Association ofFundraising Professionals in November.


MOVING FORWARD: A fl oor-based game system designed to increase agility in a patient’s feet was one of the many technologies demonstrated at the grand opening of the Courage Centre


PLAY ON: A variety of games, such as the one pictured above, are used to encourage and maximize the eff ort of patients, while accompanying computers measure and quantify data to track progress and assist in the patient’s recovery

BIG GIFT: John Chomiak, chairperson of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation board of trustees, left, recognizes the work and support of Martyn Piper and the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers. The organization donated $500,000, resulting in the creation of the cognitive learning zone at the Courage Centre

WELCOMING USERS: Mary O’Neill, pictured above, served as the master of ceremonies for the grand opening of the Courage Centre. O’Neill is the former executive director of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation



BIG STEPS: The Lokomat system, above, is a high-tech device with robotic attachments that help guide the movements of patients into a natural walking pattern. Below, occupational therapist Quentin Ranson watches a user trying the ArmeoSpring, a device designed for patients who are beginning to regain active movement of the arm and hand

BUILDING COURAGE: The ReJoyce system, above, is a spring-loaded arm with special handles and attachments that the user twists, squeezes, and moves around in order to play custom-made video games. Below, Ron Harry accepts thanks on behalf of the Building Trades of Alberta Charitable Foundation from John Chomiak


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By TRICIA RADISON

rom boom to bust and back again, Alberta’s economy isa rollercoaster for those who work in the construction industry. Since the North American economy came to

a screeching halt in fall 2008, recovery has been slow and many people are living paycheque to paycheque; some are having difficulty meeting their financial obligations. There has never been a better time for Money Management 101.

“Many of our members, like most of society, are only two or three paycheques away from total collapse or bankruptcy, or foreclosure,” says Len Bryden, director of training and apprenticeship, Alberta Carpenters Training Centre.

Uncertainty about when the next job will come along can create a great deal of stress that spills into other areas of life. Financial planning can help, and it’s never too late to get started. Here are eight money management tips to help you make the best of good times and bad.

1. Do your homework. Informing yourself about your options is the number one tip for managing your financial situation through lean years, says Steve Fedorchuk, vice-president of Retail Financial Services for the Calgary region with ATB Financial.

Begin by understanding your existing pension plan and benefits. (See sidebar, Understanding Union Benefits.) Learn about basic financial planning strategies and tips, see what banking and credit options your financial institution offers, and look at what else is available.

2. Find out where you stand. Depending on your unique needs, you may not be able to rely on your pension plan to cover your retirement needs.

“It depends how much you can pack into that union plan, and how much you have left in RRSP room,” says Rob Enns, senior financial advisor with ATB Investor Services, discussing whether members need to make personal contributions to retirement savings.

Enns advocates talking to a professional. “This is a great opportunity to consult with a financial advisor who can review your long-term needs and see if you’re actually putting away enough to meet your goals when you retire,” he says.

Even if you’re covered by the ACAW Health and Wellness plan, you may also want additional insurance coverage. When money is tight, it can be challenging to take care of insurance needs, but you put yourself at risk of bigger problems down the road if you don’t have coverage in place. There are less expensive term policies that can be used until your financial situation improves enough to switch to permanent policies.

3. Know your priorities. According to Scott Belamisca, branch manager and personal financial planner with Scotiabank in Edmonton, good financial management includes three main priorities: saving money for emergencies; investing for your retirement, your children’s education and other goals; and reducing debt.

“While each customer’s situation is unique, it can still be possible to maintain a balance between these priorities [during challenging times],” says Belamisca. The key is to cut back on the amount of money going into each area but still ensure you’re making progress toward all three goals.

If you’re uncertain about future employment, you don’t have to contribute equally to your priorities. “People may want to direct more of their monthly income toward emergency savings and to debt repayment and a little less to long-term investment for retirement savings, education planning, vacation planning or other big ticket items,” says Belamisca.

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8 tips for making the most out of your money, both today and as the economy improves

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MANAGING YOUR MONEY



4. Know your budget. Nobody likes budgeting, but it is a fundamental financial tool that helps you make decisions about your spending. To budget, track how much money is coming in and how you’re spending it. Then identify your needs and wants so you know where you can lower your expenses.

“In financially challenging times, it can be important to learn to live off of less, perhaps bringing your lunch to work, avoiding impulse spending on things like expensive coffees or paring down cable TV costs,” says Belamisca. Other ideas include not carrying balances on high interest credit cards, buying items on sale and generally living within your means.

Budgeting tools can be found online (check out www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca, for instance). A financial advisor or personal banker can also assist you.

5. Pay down debt if it makes sense to do so. It is critical to continue making your minimum payments on debt no matter what, but if you’re currently working and have extra cash flow, consider paying down high-interest debt more quickly.

In most cases, you should only make lump sum payments on debt if you have sufficient emergency savings and relatively low uncertainty about your future financial situation.

If money burns a hole in your pocket and you know you’re going to have a hard time saving extra cash, using the money to pay down debt can be a wise decision, as long as you’re not racking up more debt.

6. Build your emergency savings. How much is enough when it comes to emergency savings? Many experts recommend stashing three months of living expenses away in case of job loss, disability or illness. Fedorchuk advocates a more personalized approach.

“Map out a budget of your essential living expenses in a month,” he says. “Then determine how many months of basic living expenses you want in your savings account.”

Some people will feel comfortable if they know they can survive three months without worrying about money; others will feel better if they know they have six or even 12 months of breathing room.

7. Get help! “To avoid a situation where someone feels overwhelmed by debt, we encourage people to meet with their financial advisor as soon as possible to discuss their financial situation,” says Belamisca. This gives your advisor time to help you develop a solution.

There are many options, such as restructuring a line of credit so you only have to pay the interest, or consolidating debt to lower your interest rate and adjust the amortization period so your payments are lower, that your personal banker or financial advisor may be able to help you with if you open up about your situation.

“We have the ATB Great Escape, a plan that lets you skip up to two months of payment on conventional mortgages,” says Fedorchuk. The time it takes to pay the mortgage in full is extended by two payment periods.

Understanding Union BenefitsMembers who complete pension application cards can be enrolled in the ACAW Pension Plan, which is funded by employer contributions. Pension benefits are based on the number of hours you work, and you must work a minimum of 225 hours in a plan year to earn any pension for that year.

For ACAW health and wellness benefits, which include supplementary health care, dental, weekly disability and life insurance, you must complete a health and wellness application card. To be eligible, you must accumulate at least 300 hours into your hour bank over a period of no more than six consecutive months. In order to maintain eligibility, you have to maintain 120 hours in your hour bank.

You can, however, maintain eligibility for benefits during periods of unemployment or illness, or while on vacation, by making self-payments for up to six months. This can provide peace of mind between jobs. For more information, visit www.acawtrustfunds.ca.

Additionally, members can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides counselling services. For details, visit www.humansolutions.ca or check the brochure or wallet card (available at union counters) for more information on the extent of services offered.

“It improves customer cash flow in the short term to help people get through difficult periods,” Fedorchuk explains. But, he adds, customers might not know they have the option unless they’ve consulted with a personal banker.

8. Stick with your financial plan.Good money management should be part of your life regardless of the strength of the economy. “A lot of people are being forced to plan and deal with things today. When things do turn around, and they will, don’t forget the learnings and the value you got out of these tough times,” says Fedorchuk.

As construction projects come online and your situation stabilizes, make it a point to get your financial house in order, paying down debt, establishing your emergency fund and saving for investments, retirement and education. It’s the best way to prepare for the next time the rollercoaster takes a bit of a dip.


By LISA RICCIOTTI


B.C.-based Interpro Technical Services focuses on innovation and hiring union as it expands its operations in Alberta

n innovative company is looking to ARCCAWworkers to help deliver on its vision of providing

expert field maintenance of steam and gas tur-bines. Interpro Technical Services, a B.C.-based

service maintenance leader in industries such as oil refineries, power utilities, pulp and paper, and waste-to-energy, is hiring skilled unionized millwrights as it expands its operations in Alberta.

Innovation usually begins when someone has a better idea, and that’s exactly how Interpro began. In 1987, founder Robert Goodrick decided he could do a better job servicing steam and gas turbines and generators than his employer by starting his own maintenance company. Having worked for a large original equipment manufacturer (OEM) as a millwright for many years, Goodrick knew much of the massive equipment inside out, and believed he could deliver more customer-friendly service by providing an option to OEM maintenance.

“Big companies can be cumbersome to deal with,” explains Carey Healey, Interpro’s current president. “Robert knew every nuance of the units, and could often provide maintenance faster than the original manufacturers at competitive prices.”

Today Goodrick has more free time to apply his mechanical technical genius to his hobby of tuning up hot-rod cars, but the founder remains involved in all technical sides of the business. And just as importantly, the new management team remains committed to continuing Goodrick’s original vision of expert,

timely service. “That’s the legacy that we’re building on, with new ideas to energize our company,” says Healey.

With its head office in Maple Ridge, Interpro first concentrated on maintenance at B.C. pulp and paper mills, as well as its power-producing and food-processing plants. It crossed the B.C. border in the early ’90s, and has worked on both pulp mill and refinery systems in Alberta, com-pleting major maintenance overhauls on steam turbines for companies like Syncrude in the Fort McMurray region. Interpro plans to increase its presence in Alberta in both utility and oil refinery applications.

For its Alberta projects, Interpro has continued its B.C. practice of hiring union workers, looking to ARCCAW for skilled millwrights. “Interpro’s union focus was partly born of necessity,” Healey notes. “In the beginning, most of our work was in pulp and paper mills, which were all union facilities. Then hiring union became part of our corporate phi-losophy and we kept that culture when we moved into Alberta.”

Healey explains that working with steam turbines and generators is a very specific skill and not every millwright is experienced in that subspe-cialty. “Alberta’s union, however, has done a lot of work training mem-bers on steam turbines in its provincial training centre, so we know its members have good capabilities. That’s a huge benefit to Interpro. In our business it’s critical to have trained people who can come in and get the job done quickly. When one of these plants has to shut down for sched-uled maintenance, it loses the opportunity to produce electricity, which can mean a significant revenue loss.”

Interpro stays on top of its game by constantly looking for small effi-ciencies that can pay off big. “Our work is very customized. Doing little

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things like changing a strainer in the steam path can increase efficiency by a small amount. But when that modest improvement yields enough electricity for a few hundred homes, what looks like a small gain is significant. Our innovative tech guys are very good at finding those efficien-cies.” Healey also says Interpro is developing creative project management to minimize down-time for its clients.

“Interpro’s staff is excellent at figuring out all the engineering, but we still rely on qualified mill-wrights to install our innovations. And Bob Hugh [ARCCAW’s senior business representative – Millwrights] is working closely with us to match the right union guys to our job needs.”

Hugh is happy to do just that. “Interpro is a very dynamic company that’s looking to grow and expand in Alberta, especially in the oil and gas sector,” says Hugh. “We’re very excited about working with them. They’re first-class all the way, very big on safety and training, and well-respected for their quality work. They’re committed to using union workers, and we need to show we’re up to the job by delivering on time and on budget for this very deadline-driven company.”

SPECIALIZED SKILLS: Alberta millwrights are lending their expertise to Interpro in maintaining and installing steam and gas turbines in utility and oil refi nery applications



By FRASER TODD

eplaning in Angola, the first thing that hits youis the heat and humidity, especially for a guy from northern Alberta.

Angola, in West Africa, has had a very troubled history, only recently ending 27 years of civil war. Now, though, the country is doing its best to enter as a world leader in oil and gas and in fact has recently become the biggest oil producer in Africa.

In November 2009, I was hired by Bechtel as an assistant scaffold superintendent on a 5.2-million-metric-ton-per-year liquefied natural gas project on Africa’s west coast. The Angola LNG, on the Congo River delta, is located 45 min-utes by air from Luanda in the city of Soyo. It is a joint ven-ture, owned by Angolan state-owned company Sonangol, Chevron, BP, ENI and Total.

The logistics of the project are daunting, and challenges are many, including a complete lack of local infrastructure, a limited supply of local skilled workers and the need to reclaim most of the area the plant is being built on – not to mention the dangers associated with the local wildlife, such as pythons, cobras and malaria-bearing mosquitoes.

The purpose of the plant is to capture natural gas and propane from offshore drilling activities; previously, these

gases were reinjected into offshore reservoirs. The process entails cooling the vapours, which reduces their volume by 600 per cent and makes it possible to ship the liquid gases to markets throughout the world.

Initial dredging and land reclamation was started in the first quarter of 2008. Project completion is scheduled for the first quarter of 2012, and is looking good both budget- and schedule-wise. The project is huge, with the plant site 1.8 by 1.0 kilometres – about equivalent to the original Shell Scotford or Syncrude Canada sites in area.

Currently 7,500-plus workers are employed from 43 different countries. Many of these are Angolans, as the project has made a commitment to employ and train as many nationals as possible. Training is done at the Kitona Training Centre, located a short distance from the site. Kitona was built as part of the project and is a completely self-sufficient facility, with camp, classroom and workshop areas. Trade instruction is given in several disciplines, covering both classroom and practical training. Graduates are integrated in to the site workforce, with some returning for further training as they progress in their chosen craft. The balance of the craft workers are largely Filipino and Indian, with most of the

A Local 1325 member shares his experience working on an overseas LNG plant

ANGOLA LNG: View of the plant site withthe tool crib in the foreground

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SUPER STACK: Fraser Todd (left) with three general foremen standing in front of a 140-metre-high stack that will be assembled on the ground and then fl own up to where it’s needed

OFFSHORE ACTIVITY: View of the har-bour, with the liquefi ed natural gas jetty

supervisory staff being American and British, with some Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians.

After a lengthy paperwork process, I arrived in March 2010 to take on my role as assistant scaffold superinten-dent. I am working

with two Americans, both of whom have a lot of international experience.

We do everything the same position would entail at home but spend a lot more time in the field, directly supporting the field supervision, largely because the language differences lead to occa-sional miscommunications.

One of the biggest challenges is that everything comes in by ship, with a four- to six- month delivery time, so preplanning is essential for all supplies and equipment from personal protective equipment, rope and buckets to saw blades and extension cords. Of course, all our scaffold equipment also comes by ship, in seacans.

Everyone here is great to deal with, and has made me, as a new-comer, feel welcomed and at home. I have found the Australians and New Zealanders to be especially welcoming, much like us Canadians.

The working language on site is English, and the craft super-vision must all have a working knowledge of it. The other main languages are Tagalong, Hindi and Portuguese, which is Angola’s main language.

Initially, I was worried about how the job would be run safety-wise despite what I was told before getting on site. But, happily, this job is almost interchangeable with any megaproject at home from a loss management point of view. Bechtel’s commitment, as

the prime contractor, to an accident- and injury-free job site is no different than any other major player in the industry.

In fact, there are some practices I’ve never encountered before, such as a general lunch meeting every Saturday with all craft gen-eral foremen. The purpose of this is to review any safety concerns, discuss any incidents and share information in general.

Pre-job training includes a general orientation, fall protec-tion, confined space, and so on – in other words, pretty much exactly the same training you would receive anywhere in Alberta. Performing high-risk activities, such as confined space entries, follows a procedure almost identical to what you would do in a “greenfield” construction site in Alberta.

We currently have about 230 scaffolders, of which approxi-mately 80 are Angolan. The manpower forecast is to increase that to 350 at peak. One of the hiring prerequisites for non-Angolan workers (or other country nationals, OCN for short) is a mini-mum of five years of overseas experience working in their trade. Our scaffolders’ resumés are actually quite impressive; most have worked throughout the Middle East as well as in Asia. Their com-petency is, for the most part, high, as is their work ethic. We follow OSHA scaffold standards here, which is more or less the American equivalent to OH&S. This makes sense, when you consider the Bechtel home office is in the U.S.

The single biggest difference that I have found is that, although our scaffold supplier is At-Pac, and we mostly use a ring-style sys-tem, the tube is all steel, and the clamps are bolt, not wedge. The crews have no problem with this, as it’s what they grew up using and are accustomed to it. This being the case, they are quite quick at erecting and dismantling with them. We also have a system similar to Waco, which is simple and fairly fast to use, although not quite as versatile as the Allround style.

Day-to-day life on the site brings more comparisons to back home. When a new worker signs on, he is issued a pair of boots and three sets of work clothes. These are replaced as needed through-out the job.

For the locals, breakfast is delivered to the site. The rest of the workforce eats in camp. Then the day starts the same way as at


home, with a Tool Box Talk. It does last a bit longer here, in order to translate the subjects into Tagalong, Hindi and Portuguese, ensuring everyone understands the safety messages.

Pre-job hazard assessments (STARRT cards) are done at the beginning of shift, and are reviewed right after lunch. This is called a ReSTARRT. Lunch is served in several tents across the site, with wash cars located beside them to promote hygiene.

The camp is capable of housing 6,500 work-ers, and fully self-sufficient, with its own water and sewage treatment and power supply. The Medical Centre is staffed by three doctors, who are assisted by a complete support staff, includ-ing eight nurses, a lab technician and a radiologist.

My room is about 10x14 feet, with a shared toilet and shower, fridge, sink, satellite TV and a secure locker. Each room has an air condition-er, a necessity here.

Four different kitchens feed the camp resi-dents. The one you go to depends on which bunkhouse you live in. The food is, I am sorry to say, much like camp food anywhere. We do have HP, A1 and Tabasco sauces though, which I have learned is the best way to deal with that.

There are four large rec centres, with satel-lite TVs, ping pong, pool and foosball tables. Each one has a bar, but only beer is served. Hard alcohol is not allowed anywhere. There are also four gyms, all identical, which are quite well

equipped, and there are soccer fields as well as tennis and basketball courts. Cricket is also pop-ular, and a real rivalry is springing up between several teams. Despite the heat and humidity, organized cricket and basketball leagues play every night and on Sundays. Other recreation activities include cook-offs, and supervised trips to town or the beach. One group is helping at a local orphanage and mission.

I am really excited to be a part of this proj-ect, getting to see an entirely different part of the world, as well as meeting new people from so many different countries and cultures.Of course, I do miss Alberta, but when I read about the last snowfall, maybe only a little.

Build a stronger, successful and more inclusive workplace by learning about the tools, strategies, and best practices for managing an intercultural workforce.

Each workshop includes:• Needs analysis • Workshop design • Delivery

DIVERSITY TRAINING for small & medium-sized Alberta businesses

At NO COST until March 2011 through the support of Alberta Employment and Immigration.

To learn more or to book this training, please contact:Ricardo Carlos | Manager, Cultural Crossroads p: 780.425.4644 ext. 5 | e: [email protected]

www.cfrac.com

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HIDDEN HAZARD: Workers need to watch for pythons when moving palettes



The Alberta Carpenters Training Centre provides instruction for thousands of UBC members at its Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray locations. Courses range from apprenticeship programs in carpentry and scaffolding to fall protection and basic first aid training. Check out the online schedule at www.abcarptc.ab.ca.

WORLD-CLASS TRAINING



Children’s Christmas Parties

More than 500 people attended the 1325 Children’s Christmas Party at the Italian Cultural Centre in Edmonton. Children enjoyed balloon-making, creepy-crawly insects, a magic show, face-painting and, of course, gifts from Santa. Thanks to all of the volunteers for helping make the Christmas party a highlight of the holiday season.

Children’s Christmas PartiesKidZone



The 3rd Annual Millwrights Children’s Christmas Party was a huge success, with 180 parents, grandparents and children in attendance. Santa handed out gifts and took the time to talk to each of the children. Once again there was a balloon artist, face-painting and an interactive magic show. Special thanks to Jeannelle and Dave for setting up and organizing the event. Also, thanks to Stephen Joy and family, Dave Robinson and family and Howard Robinson and family for all your assistance in making our Children’s Christmas Party a success.

Santa put a smile on many faces at the Local 2103 Children’s Christmas Party, held at the Carpenters Union Hall in Calgary. Face-painting was one of the highlights of the event. Thanks to every-one who volunteered for their efforts in making the party a huge success.


ALBERTA AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

(DISTRICT OF MACKENZIE) REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS

AND ALLIED WORKERS

UNION EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR


s 2010 ends and 2011 begins, we here at the ACTC always take some time to look back

on what has been achieved up to this point, and to set some new goals for the new year. Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray all show great atten-dance in our various classes, and utilization of our facilities is high. As some of the larger projects come to completion, more members always want to access training while they are between jobs, and that makes good sense.

Our UBC 40-hour Hoisting and Rigging Certification classes are going well, with nearly 100 members trained in Alberta in our shops in 2010. One of my goals is to integrate this training, as well as a one-day UBC Foreman Training class (skillfully developed with the help of our brother Millwrights training department), directly into our scaffold training program. This may lengthen our class time, but the benefits to this membership will be felt for

years to come.I continue to see more new members show interest in start-

ing and completing their Carpenter apprenticeship, and our Accredited Period One and Period Two classes in Edmonton are helping to push this important agenda for more indentured and trained Carpenter apprentices.

I welcome with great enthusiasm a new contractor part-ner, KHS&S Drywall, currently working on the Edmonton International Airport expansion. This partnership has given us an opportunity to seriously ramp up training programs for the ISM/Drywall sector, and as of December 2010 we are planning, setting up and developing with the assistance of our International Training Centre, a series of training programs targeting this spe-cific industry and the types of work that must be done. Our goal is to ensure our contractors receive the best trained, best skilled workers with the best attitude that we can possibly provide. We want to help all of our partner contractors to be successful, safe and profitable, meaning more work for our members.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and wish everyone the best of prosperity and safety into 2011.

Training and Apprenticeship Report

Len J. BrydenDirector of Training and Apprenticeship

Alberta Carpenters Training Centre

Training Ramps Up in 2011

AThe Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW) is seeking a qualified professional to develop and instruct orientation and union education programs to both prospective and current UBC members in the province of Alberta.

The successful candidate will have had experience in the develop-ment of education programs, proven teaching capability and be able to work with a computer and all the relevant software from which to develop new courses and adapt existing programs as required. Good interpersonal skills, charisma, and a proven capability to market the union is essential to this position.

The successful candidate will require a valid Alberta driver’s license and reliable transportation, as well as the ability to work away from home, after hours and week-ends for extended periods. This is a salaried position and overtime is not part of the compensation package.

Please forward resumé by mail to:

Martyn A. PiperExecutive Secretary TreasurerRegional Council of Carpenters & Allied Workers#200, 15210 – 123rd AvenueEdmonton, AlbertaT5V 0A3

Closing date: March 25, 2011



Reality Check

Members have approached me recently with one basic question and a very hopeful look in their eyes.

The question is, “How much can we get in the new contract?”

Based on more than 25 years of negotiat-ing for our union in this province, my answer tends toward extreme caution about getting our hopes up. To be honest, my gut feel is that we may even be looking at a wage freeze, pos-sibly with some compensating factors.

To fully understand what we’re headed into this year, it’s important to remember what construction economic conditions were like when we signed our last contract in 2007.

With many upgrader projects on the way or being planned, and an amazing amount of expansion and new projects taking place or planned in Fort McMurray, the industry was simply, unbelievably… crazy with action!

Contractors were worried about a worker shortage. Everyone was talking temporary foreign workers. Unions were focused on importing members from other provinces and the United States.

With up to $200 billion worth of construc-tion work in process or on the books, Alberta’s unions had the people that our clients so des-perately needed.

As a result, we signed perhaps the best contract our union had ever seen. The contract gave us 6.5 per cent in 2009 and another 5.0 per cent in 2010. All told, the four-year contract gave us a 24.43 per cent boost in total package!

I think that, perhaps, we hurt ourselves (and our clients) with our own success last time, because after oil prices crashed and all those projects were put on hold or cancelled, owners of the projects that did move ahead became far more bottom-line oriented.

With their recent cost overrun experience, and worried shareholders breathing down their necks, owners forced contractors to drop prices if they wanted work.

Continuing growth of Merit, CLAC and non-union forces meant that union employers saw ever-increasing, incredibly stiff competition in the bidding wars that resulted.

Over the last year or so, our contractors have been losing far too many of those bidding wars. Jim Petterson of Midwest Constructors, a company we’re proud to be partners with, tells me that his non-union competitors have consistently been winning bids by an eight per cent margin.

No one expects that we’re going to be asked to roll back by eight per cent – no one expects a cut at all.

But with 2011 expected to be as much as 30 per cent slower than 2010, and things not expected to pick up for millwrighting until later in 2012, we may have to accept a wage freeze to enable our employers to win back some of the market share they’ve lost in the last 18 months.

I also think this round of contract talks could produce some creative new options that may result in our employers winning more work for us, without us giving up too much.

I will keep you informed as negotiations progress.

REPORT Local 1460 Millwrights

Bob Hugh, Senior Business Representative - Millwrights

Training and Apprenticeship Report



Just over a century ago, construction began on the High Level Bridge, a massive steel truss multi-function bridge that spans the North Saskatchewan River, linking Edmonton’s south side with 109th Street downtown. Built between 1910 and 1913, the steel superstructure fea-tures two decks 20 feet apart and was unique for its original combination of four modes of transportation – rail, streetcar, automobile and pedestrian. With a total of 28 spans, it is set on a combination of concrete piers and steel legs that includes two truss types for the superstruc-ture. It is 2,550 feet long and sits 156 feet above the water.

Bridging the DivideParting Shot



Meetings

First Wednesday of each month: Local 1325 meeting

Third Thursday of each month: Local 2103 meeting

Fourth Tuesday of each month:

Local 1460 meeting

Bridging the Divide In Memoriam

LOCAL 1325

Pierre Audette November 2010, Age 54

Scott Brown October 2010, Age 20

Brian ChikowskiOctober 2010, Age 62

Barry Duddy October 2010, Age 49

Ian Jessome November 2010, Age 50

Kenneth KuhnDecember 2010, Age 60

Peter MacDonald June 2010, Age 63

Philip MorrisonOctober 2010, Age 69

Brent Porter September 2010, Age 29

Dan Menigoz December 2010 Age 54

Jens NielsenJune 2010, Age 94

Billy Joe Noseworthy July 2010, Age 29

LOCAL 1460

Alexander Birrell December 2010, Age 71

Gerald Eberle December 2010, Age 79

John Smythe December 2010, Age 86

LOCAL 2103

Ken Hewitt December 2010, Age 60

LOCAL 1460

Training + Events UPCOMING

ARCCAW notes with sorrow the passing of the following members.

LOCAL 2103

Training


The following is a sampling of training courses that are open for registration at the time of publication of this edition of Hard Hat. For full listings or more information on training courses, visit www.abcarptc.ab.ca or phone the Edmonton offi ce: 780-455-6532 or toll-free 1-877-455-6532.

EdmontonOSSA Fall Protection: February 15, February 25, March 1OSSA Confi ned Space: February 19, March 5, March 19H2S Alive (Enform Certifi ed): February 20, March 6Period 2 Carpentry: May 30 to July 22Standard First Aid & CPR: June 4 to June 5

Calgary Industrial Technical Training: April 4 to 17Pre-employment Carpentry Program: May 24 to July 15

Millwrights Training Centre

Visit www.albertamillwrights.com for a current listing of training courses available.


MEMBER SAVINGS L A S E R V I S I O N C O R R E C T I O N

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We’ve trained North America’s best scaffolders for 15 years.

The Alberta Carpenters Training Centre has delivered its 3-year Scaffolder Apprenticeship and Carpenter JM Upgrade Scaffold Programs, as well as dozens of other safety and skill training programs, to thousands of students in three training centres – Edmonton, Ft. McMurray & Calgary – since 1994.

Our new $23 million centre includes two state-of-the-art scaffold shops, including one purpose-built to accommodate suspended scaffolding.

ACTC-trained scaffolders work on some of the world’s largest mega-projects. Many of the scaffolds they design and build are unique, highly-complicated, and critical to both human safety and worker productivity.

www.abcarptc.ab.ca

000.ABCarpTraining_1-2H_nBL.indd 1 1/13/10 3:43:38 PM


Documents

Hard Hat Winter 2011