Hard Hat - Fall 2010

Uniting ARCCAW members across Alberta and the Northwest Territories

Shifting Attitudes

The right perspective goes a long way

Forecast 2011

Projects and trends for next year Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40063788 Return undeliverable mail to 200-15210 123 Ave Edmonton,AB T5V 0A3

Fall 2010

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

12V MAX* 1/4” Impact Driver

contoured handle design are all part of a 12V system that other compact tools will look up to.

12V MAX*

Inspection Camera

12V MAX*

3/8” Drill/Driver

12V MAX*

1/4” Screwdriver

12V MAX*

3/8” Impact Wrench

12V MAX*

Infrared Thermometer

12V MAX*

LED Worklight

*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.

12V MAX* lithium ion is a lightweight yet powerful option that compliments the DEWALT 18v cordless system of tools.

Executive Secretary Treasurer’s

REPORT

It’s All About Attitude!

Martyn A. Piper

A

number of us recently attended the

40th General Convention in Las Vegas. As you would expect at such a gathering, there were interesting speakers, the customary constitutional amendments, and much networking with members from all over North America.

There were two highlights, however, that stick out for me. The first was a very moving presentation from the Women’s Committee, followed by an announcement by general president McCarron that two prominent sisters in our union will be employed for a one-year term to work on women’s issues. Their mandate will be to generate greater participation by women in our union, to seek out and recruit women to our union, and to identify issues and challenges associated with women working in non-traditional occupations. This is a huge step forward for what has been a very male-dominated occupation. Kudos to the UBC for being first again!

That, however, is just one issue that our union is addressing proactively.

Another, and arguably one of the most significant issues for our union, is attitude. The second highlight at the convention was a spirited speech by first general vice-president Doug Banes. He emphasized that attitude was now a key value for our membership and leadership. “We are building a union that will succeed because we are giving our members the skills to succeed. And the most important skill is attitude,” he said. “If we are going to replace the negative image that was built up over the years, we have to bring the most skilled, productive workforce in North America to the table.”

Banes showcased several contractors who had for a number of years decided to

4

HARDHAT FALL 2010

operate open shop after some bad experiences in a union relationship. However, as a result of the leadership of the UBC in adopting a positive approach to attitude and creating both balance and responsibility, the union was successful in reestablishing some of those relationships.

The change in attitudes resulted in the contractors and the union’s members bringing in several projects on budget and ahead of schedule. These contractors were convinced the UBC was now of a different age, more committed than ever to building relationships that would benefit both our members and our contractors, and this has resulted in these contractors signing on to work with the union.

Banes’ thesis was that by changing old attitudes and adopting the right frame of mind, a workforce can make a monumental difference to the success of a job. This same theme was highlighted by general president McCarron in his speech to the convention. He stressed that the union’s focus on growth, training and controlling costs left it better equipped to face the downturn and take advantage of opportunities when the construction industry comes back. “We are ready now, and we will be ready when the economy turns around,” he said. “While everyone else is blaming someone else and trying to get back on their feet, we’ll be on the job, bags on, ready to work.”

When we do something well, it is usually because we enjoy what we are doing, we approach the task with enthusiasm, we make a commitment to see it through, we plan, stay orderly, process each step, work safe and finally get the enjoyment out of a job well done. A cynic might say that is nonsense. How can we as individuals change the course of a job and ensure

the right outcomes? There are simply too many variables to ensuring a successful outcome on a construction project. Well, I am not convinced and neither is the leadership of this union. If we all change our attitude, there will be – has to be – a different outcome.

Too often people have said, “It is not my job, why should I care?” or “I am just a small fish in a big pond, so how could my contribution really make a difference?”

But what if we tried? What if our members went to work every day with a positive attitude, always putting their best forward? I cannot believe the contractors and owner/clients would not notice a discernible difference.

I have harped many times about increasing market share. Well, brothers and sisters, here is another way for you to help out. In many ways, it has always been about attitude. Just as a negative attitude can lead to negative results (and we have all experienced the effects that a person with a negative attitude can have on us), the opposite is also true. The UBC is committed to increasing market share, and the right attitude is now one of the tools the union will be instilling in its members and leadership to get the job done of building a stronger and more vibrant union ready to meet the challenges ahead, the challenge of standing strong and building tomorrow!

Undeliverable mail should be directed to ARCCAW 200-15210 123 Ave Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3 Email: lhelmeczi@albertacarpenters.com Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement # 40063788

Contents

Published For:

Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters & Allied Workers 15210 – 123 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5V 0A3 Tel: (780) 474-8599 / Fax: (780) 474-8910 www.albertacarpenters.com

12 Project Profile

Building Bridges Overpass projects in Fort Mac signal new opportunities for union workers

By Lisa Ricciotti

18 Future Forecast

Published By:

Venture Publishing Inc. 10259 – 105 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1E3 Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276 Phone: (780) 990-0839 Fax: (780) 425-4921 www.venturepublishing.ca Publisher

Ruth Kelly

Experts offer up their best 2011 predictions for the construction trades

By Lisa Ricciotti

12

20 Best Foot Forward

Introducing EFAP and RSAP, two new programs for ARCCAW members

By Lindsey Norris

22 Training for Today

Associate Publisher ARCCAW editor

Martyn A. Piper

Hands-on skills training helps workers keep up with the latest advances

By Jim Veenbaas

Editor

DEPARTMENTS

Joyce Byrne

Kim Tannas

18

4 Note From the Executive

Art Director

Charles Burke

associate art director

Rodrigo López Orozco

Production COORDINATOR

Betty-Lou Smith

contributing writers

Lindsey Norris, Lisa Ricciotti, Jim Veenbaas contributing PhotographerS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Greg Halinda, Heff O’Reilly, Colin Spence Vice-President, Sales

Anita McGillis

Advertising Representative

Tara Kochan

Sales Assistant

Julia Ehli

Contents © 2010 by ARCCAW Inc. No part of this publication should be reproduced without written permission.

Important Phone Numbers

Edmonton

Fort McMurray

Calgary

Carpenters Training Centre

Carpenters Health and Welfare

Carpenters Pension

Industrial Workers

Millwright Local 1460 Local Union 1325 and 2103 Dispatch

Fall 10

FEATURES

780-471-3200 780-743-1442 403-283-0747 780-455-6532 780-477-9131 780-477-9131 403-283-0747 780-430-1460 1-888-944-0818

Secretary Treasurer

By Martyn Piper

6 Site Lines

UBC General Convention; Golf Tournament and 1325 Picnic photos; national and provincial competition winners; Millwrights Retirees’ Social; and more

21 Local 1460 Millwrights Report

20

By Bob Hugh

24 Training and Apprenticeship Report

By Len J. Bryden 27 Geared Up

Tools to help you work better

28 Training and Events 29 KidZone

What’s Labour Day all about?

30 Parting Shot ON THE COVER Carpenter Leo Parsons on the work site of ACFN Business Group’s business administrative building in Fort McMurray Photographed by Greg Halinda HARDHAT FALL 2010 5

Site Lines

News in Brief

A roundup of news and events from around the region

Making Her Mark

amber bracken, sun media

Earlier this year, Sarah Budd, daughter of Local 1325 president Greg Budd, had an unpleasant surprise when she received her marks from her Grade 12 diploma exams. A high achiever, Sarah not only had the best marks in her class but was also the class valedictorian at Fort Saskatchewan High School. Although she got 96 per cent on her Math 30 exam, the mark she received from Alberta Education was 93 per cent.

And it was no admin mistake. It’s called equating, and it’s done in an effort to maintain consistent standards, since exams are changed every year.

How it works is less clear, and the Alberta Education website does little to clear up the confusion: the site says it is a statistical process, for which eight equating methods are used, and also tosses out terms like “equipercentile” and “smoothing values.” But essentially, equating is an acknowledgement that one group of students will receive an exam that is harder than another, and is meant to even out the playing field.

Consequently, some students had their marks raised while others, like Sarah, had their marks lowered.

But Sarah felt there was nothing fair about losing three per cent of her grade. She feared it would affect her ability to secure scholarships, which are fiercely competed over and often rely heavily on exam scores. (Nor did she appreciate that those who scored 100 per cent did not have their scores lowered.) So she wrote a letter to David Hancock, the minister of education, and cc’ed Edmonton-area newspapers. It even got her coverage in the Edmonton Sun. While the equating of her scores was not reversed, she did learn a valuable lesson: if anyone is going to hear you, you must first speak out – and even when you’re 17, people will listen.

Raising the stakes: Alberta delegates at the General Convention in Las Vegas

Debrief: the UBC 40th General Convention The economy has a long, hard road ahead, but UBC members are well-equipped to travel it.

That was the message of general president Doug McCarron’s keynote address at the UBC 40th General Convention in Las Vegas on August 16. The keynote was the kickoff to what would prove to be an underlying theme of the four-day event: the UBC will continue endorsing the policies that have kept the union strong in one of the worst economies since the Great Depression, and approve further measures that will position it for success when the economy turns around.

To that end, various committees met to discuss topics that ranged from how the UBC will attract new members to how they will advocate and promote fair, balanced trade policies in an increasingly globalized market, where jobs are increasingly at risk of being outsourced to other countries.

Guess the Tool Can you guess the names of these antique tools?

Answer on page 10 6

HARDHAT FALL 2010

All in the Family

Sister act: Women members from across North America attended the Sisters in the Brotherhood Conference in Las Vegas June 17-20.

When union founders decided to christen their organization the United Brotherhood of Carpenters back in the 19th century, they probably had little idea that one day enticing “sisters” would become a vital way to build and strengthen the union.

But today, the importance of growing the UBC’s Sisterhood is well known. The Sisters in the Brotherhood Conference, held June 17 to 20 at the International Training Center in Las Vegas, brought female UBC members from across North America to network and discuss union issues. At the end of the conference, a significant initiative was announced.

“The general president has hired two of the lead women for a one-year period to engage the women members of this union, get them motivated and active participants, and also work on recruitment for women,” says executive secretary treasurer Martyn Piper. “It is a first for what has traditionally been a male-dominated field.”

UBC efforts to include more women in the brotherhood are seeing results: in 2000, 10 female delegates attended the UBC General Convention. By 2010, 105 female delegates participated.

Rain or Shine It was bound to happen. After years of cooperative weather for the annual Barrie Regan Golf Tournament, the 10th annual fundraiser for juvenile diabetes research gave golfers more water to worry about than the water hazards on course.

“It didn’t just shower,” says executive secretary treasurer Martyn Piper. “It lashed.”

But despite the monsoon-like conditions, attendance was excellent. Thanks to the 150 registrants and many sponsors, more than $12,000 was raised.

For a Good Cause: The youngest of three diabetic children, Danielle Moffatt proudly displays the trophy for the Barrie Regan annual golf tournament. She appreciates the continued support from the carpenters’ union every year to one day find a cure for her and her siblings. Back row (L to R): Roxsane Regan, Barrie Regan, Paul Moffatt, Lisa Moffatt, Greg Moffatt, Nicole Moffatt, Rick Vermette; front row: Danielle Moffatt, Martyn Piper, Barbara J. Armstrong

HARDHAT FALL 2010 7

Site Lines A Picnic for 1325 Every year, Local 1325 hosts a summer social event for union members, past and present, and their families. This year, almost 400 people – including grandchildren, grandparents, spouses and friends of the union – attended a picnic at the Provincial Training Centre and Administration Building. In addition to food, live entertainment, children’s events, casual basketball and soccer games, the everpopular dunk tank raised $800 for juvenile diabetes research.

It’s no picnic putting together an event for 400 people, so many thanks to the numerous volunteers who organized, set up and served food at the event.

FUN AND GAMES: (clockwise this page, from above) picnic tables served as a popular gathering spot; the face painting and bouncy castles were a big hit with the kids; even adults (Kim Belbin) got in on the face painting fun; Paityn and Eden sharing a laugh during a singalong with performer Lester Lebreton

Scaffolders Without Borders A little bit of Alberta scaffold expertise was exported across the provincial border this year when the Alberta Carpenters’ Training Centre embarked on a training collaboration with the B.C. Regional Council.

“Last year the B.C. council approached the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre and asked us to help us develop their scaffold train8

HARDHAT FALL 2010

ing program,” says training director Len Bryden. “We have helped supply them with some gear, materials and curriculum.”

Both Bryden and instructor George Pekarchik travelled to the B.C. Training Centre in Delta (part of Greater Vancouver) to do some train-the-trainer sessions, and an instructor from Vancouver also travelled to Alberta to undergo instructors’ training.

And the Winners Are… Two ARCCAW members deserve congratulations after taking first-place honours in the Alberta 2010 Provincial Carpentry Contest.

Matthew Cochrane won the carpentry portion for his project, which included framing a wall and rafters, cutting a stair stringer and completing a provincial theory exam.

Brandon Pyke won the scaffolding portion for successfully building a scaffold tower with a cantilever on one side, with the assistance of two first-year apprentice helpers.

The annual event, which took place on July 9th and 10th this year, is open to union members who have completed all levels of apprenticeship. For carpenters, it is also the qualifying event for the national carpenters’ competition that took place in Ottawa in September.

Thanks are due to the members of the first-level class who were there to assist the participants, and also to the many sponsors who donated prizes, cash and tools. winning efforts: Matthew Cochrane (far left) and Brandon Pyke

Top Prize for Alberta On July 8-10, I had the great privilege of competing in and winning the 2010 Alberta Provincial Skills Competition. I would like to extend on behalf of the six carpenters and four scaffolders our gratitude for the support of the membership of the union. …I challenge each and every one of you to bring more apprentices into our ranks, encourage them to train, become more involved in this union and to strive to better themselves. …”

SUNNY DAY: (this page, top to bottom) aerial view of the site; volunteers enjoyed the sunshine; 1325 president Greg Budd in the dunk tank; Leah Redmond (dark top) and Brandi Thorne had a blast

Skyler Beynon was selected to represent Millwrights Local 1460 at the NATAC Canadian National Apprentice completion in Ottawa September 8 to 11, 2010. Skyler, a fourth-year apprentice member of Local 1460, upheld the local’s reputation of top quality millwrighting talent, winning first place at the competition. Congratulations Skyler on a job well done!

national CHAMPion: Dave Knight with winner Skyler Beynon HARDHAT FALL 2010 9

Site Lines History Lesson The Millwrights Local 1460 is continuing its efforts in building a modest museum and archives dedicated to the history of the millwrighting trade. Recently, the local reprinted one of the industry’s earliest trade journals to give members a glimpse into the past.

“I think it’s a chance for our membership to reflect back that even 128 years ago there were people that had

similar anxieties to what goes on today,” says Bob Hugh, senior business representative with the Millwrights, adding that the publication also provides insight into the connection between millwrights and carpenters.

“A lot of young millwrights coming into the trade really don’t know the historical impact of why we, being a metal trade are part of the carpenters’ union,” says Hugh. “I wanted to tie in how we evolved from the highly specialized carpenter that built wind and watermills and helped power the industrial revolution and why we have an affiliation with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.”

Copies are available to members at no charge at the Provincial Training Centre.

The Father of Labour Day Peter J. McGuire, a young carpenter, stood before New York’s Central Labor Union on May 12, 1882, to suggest an idea of setting aside one day a year to honour labour. His idea was simple. The day should “be celebrated by a street parade which would publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labour organization.”

Born into a poor family on July 6, 1852, in New York City, McGuire became interested in the labour movement at 15, when he took a job at a piano factory where the workers had affiliated with the carpenters’ union.

He spent the next eight years devoting his time to organizing in the Socialist movement.

On January 13, 1874, he marched to Tompkins Square in New York to protest the treatment of workers left jobless from the depression of 1873. Police attacked the thousands of protestors and beat them to the ground, among them McGuire and his friend Samuel Gompers.

From that date on, the pair devoted their lives to organizing workers.

In 1881, McGuire formed the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. He became secretary of the organization and editor of the union paper. He then turned to forming a national 10

HARDHAT FALL 2010

federation. In five years, with the help of Gompers, the American Federation of Labor was established. Gompers was the president and McGuire the secretary.

When he stood up before the New York group in 1882, McGuire earned himself his place in labour history books. On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers participated in the first Labour Day parade in New York. On June 28, 1894, Labour Day became a national holiday by an act of Congress. He became known as the “Father of Labour Day.” One of his major battles was for an eighthour workday. Thousands of workers took to the cause and many died for it, but the concept did not take hold until 1890, when 46,000 members of the Carpenters’ Union began working eight-hour days, and an additional 35,000 reduced their hours from 10 to nine.

McGuire resigned in 1902 because of poor health and died four years later. His last words were, “I’ve got to get to California. The boys of Local 22 need me.”

Adapted and condensed from an article by Sharon K. Williams titled “Labour Day and Peter J. McGuire,” published in Hard Hat Fall 2001.

Millwrights Retirees’ Social The fifth annual retiree social for Millwrights Local 1460 had some special attendees this year.

Longtime employees Walter Cameron, Ursula Buller and Mary Mucha attended, as did three pillars of the union: Bill Bilida, Don MacIntosh and Herb Huber, all charter members, who were involved when the local was formed in 1952.

“The event is a celebration and the opportunity to still be involved,” says Bob Hugh. “The charter members, who have been involved with the union for over 50 years, they’re still very interested in training, in our organization. You are your brother’s keeper,” he jokes, “and through the years you develop a lot of camaraderie.”

Thanks go to Guy and Pat Dunand for organizing the event, which took place in Sherwood Park on June 1st.

Answer to “Guess the Tool” (from page 6) From left to right: saxe, claw hammer, ripper.

These were tools that would have been used by a slate roofer.

Union Pride

O

Capital Ex Parade Highlights You can’t beat a good parade. This year’s Capital Ex Parade attracted an estimated 230,000 people to the sidewalks of Edmonton to watch over 115 entries parade down the streets on June 22. A team from ARCCAW volunteered their time to build an eye-catching float for the parade. Thanks to Richard Winkenweder, Leah Redmond, Derek Schulte, Blaine Ball, Kelly Ball, John Mielke, Bob Shaw, Jack Hubbler and Mike Razensof for their efforts.

n many of my job sites, absenteeism has become a problem, at times hitting as high as 24 per cent. When you add late starts, early quits and manpower turnover, it becomes a plague. It is not only a logistics nightmare for the contractor and the client, but there are also costs involved. As bad as it is for our employers, I truly believe it is worse for the union. Things like this put us in a negative light. We have always received a better wage because we provided our employers with what they required in a safe, efficient, competent and professional manner. Somewhere during our last boom, some of us have strayed off course. There are a variety of reasons for our change in direction and we must push forward and become part of the solution.

Recently I was called by Aluma to attend a safety audit at Agrium Fort Saskatchewan. Aluma’s construction manager, Dave McCauley, stated that it was at the request of the client. They were into their shutdown and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Was I again going to be scolded on behalf of my members?

Dave McCauley and I accompanied two people, Larry Roe, maintenance superintendent, and Cheryl Hansen, turnaround supervisor, on our safety walk.

We stopped and looked at the work our members were doing, checked their permits and asked questions. They all passed with flying colours and it made me proud to hear the professionalism in the members’ responses. There was no criticism, only optimism. At the end of our tour, the plant manager, Kevin Melnyk came out to meet us. He expressed his appreciation for the work we were doing for him. He was pleased with the members, their abilities and their safety and productivity on site. All I received on behalf of our members was praise.

It always seems to be a problem getting someone to be the job steward and this site was no different.

I am always told that no one wants the headache.

The sad fact is that in most instances the headache comes from our membership and not the contractor. We need to start getting behind our stewards and not in their faces. Shawn Baert stepped up to be the job steward and, as he and others like him have told me, “Somebody has to do it and it’s time to give something back. Shawn came back to me and said, “Gord, we have no absenteeism here!” I asked

By Gord Hrycun Local 1325

what the percentage was. Again he said, “No, Gord.

There’s none!”

We were done the walkabout at about the same time that the members were done their safety meeting and I went into the trailer to see the crew. I congratulated them on their efforts and the total lack of absenteeism. This is the first time since I have been in office that the men were pleased with supervision, the supervision was happy with the men, the client and the contractor were pleased with safety and production, and there was zero absenteeism.

Not one complaint!

I do not have a photo of the group and I wish I did, but I will list their names: Shawn Baert, Moustapha Aden, Regan Becker, Mike Bishop, Sonia Brass, Craig Brewster, Brent Cooreman, Clinton Decker, Ted Decker, Russel Dymtrow, Rizvo Dzafovic, Mike Gandey, Scott Geisler, Robin Giegold, Chris Guy, Yousif Ibrahim, John Leigh, Craig Lynch, Marty Lynch, Ted Maloney, Wes Marlowe, Peter Nguyen, Seamus Owens, Josh Peebles, Shantelle Peebles, Dave Petten, Jon Poplett, Travis Pilgrim, Rosann Richards, Mike Reiffenstein, Clyde Rockwood, Kurt Rosler, Jacinthe St. Coeur, Bert Storvold, Gustavo Tejada, Thomas Wantrupp, Greg Williams and Mike Woytkiw.

These union men and women worked from May 10 to June 22 with no accidents or injuries and no absenteeism. I did not receive one complaint from the site. During that time they worked 5/10s, 6/10s and one week of 7/10s. They came to work and they did their jobs. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not a large group but we weren’t either when we started over 100 years ago. They have shown us that zero is possible. They have taken ownership of what they do and represent and they have shown us what “union pride” is all about. If we could duplicate this attitude on all of our sites, I cannot see how the nonunion sector could survive.

If you know any of these members or you are working alongside them, they deserve your acknowledgment and a pat on the back for a job well done. They most definitely have mine and I trust they will carry their attitudes forward to other members and sites. I tip my hard hat to you.

Gord Hrycun is a business representative for the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters.

HARDHAT FALL 2010 11

BUILDING B

BUMPER TO BUMPER: Relief is on the way for commuters to and from oil sands work sites in Fort McMurray, as construction on new overpasses gets underway

12

HARDHAT FALL 2010

Bridges

By Lisa Ricciotti | Photography by greg halinda

Northern overpass projects signal new opportunities for union workers

A

s Highway 63 passes through Fort McMurray, it becomes one of the province’s hardest working roads.

Every day, its overstrained pavement carries about 50,000 vehicles across the existing bridges of Fort McMurray, as oil sands workers and heavy trucks head to and from the region’s bitumen mines.

“It’s a zoo,” says David Henry Todd, a Fort McMurray business representative for the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW). “If you get caught in the rush of the morning or evening commutes, it can triple your travelling time. It’s bumper-tobumper and can back up for miles when there’s a stall or collision.”

Todd points out that in the space of a couple of hours, the equivalent of a small city relocates twice daily from Fort Mac to nearby oil sands work sites. “Diversified Transportation sends 250 buses north every morning and evening. At an average of 47 passengers per bus, that’s 11,750 people! And that’s just for their buses. There are also gravel trucks, transports, large trucks loaded with oversized equipment, contractor buses and all the traffic going south. It’s why we call that stretch of the highway ‘The Fort McMurray 500.’ ” Fortunately, relief is on the way. As the worldwide economy shows signs of recovery from its recent rapid downturn, and oil prices again rise to profitable levels of $70-plus a barrel, the provincial government and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo are now poised to play catch-up on HARDHAT FALL 2010

13

GAINING GROUND: Two of three new bridge-building projects in Fort McMurray are using union workers, with Aecon as the contractor.

Business rep David Todd is hopeful it’s the start of a new northern trend

the infrastructure deficit created during the last boom. The largest infrastructure project is the much-needed twinning of Highway 63.

With $600 million in funding from Alberta Transportation, twinning of the first 25 kilometres north of Fort McMurray to large mining operations is complete, and twinning south of the city is well underway.

In addition, the province is building bridges to ease traffic congestion.

Construction has begun on a new five-lane bridge across the Athabasca River, which will boast the largest bridge deck in the province upon its completion in summer 2011. As well, two new overpasses across Highway 63 into Fort McMurray’s densely populated subdivisions of Thickwood Heights and Timberlea will allow traffic to flow more freely along Confederation Way and Thickwood Boulevard.

Todd’s excited about how these large projects will relieve the crushing morning and afternoon commute to large oil sands work sites. But as a union man, he’s also excited for a more personal reason. “For the first time in a long while, two of these three bridges are using union workers. We didn’t get the new Athabasca Bridge project; it went to CLAC [the Christian Labour Association of Canada]. But Aecon’s working on the overpasses, and its management wanted our union workers.”

14

HARDHAT FALL 2010

WATER WORKS: Bird Construction used ARCCAW workers on the recently completed expansion to Fort McMurray’s water treatment plant. Next is Phase 2 of the project

It’s a welcome new development for ARCCAW in the Fort McMurray region.

“Lately, most of the commercial work close to Fort Mac has gone non-union,” Todd notes.

“Way back when the first two bridges were built over the Athabasca River in the 1960s and 1975, both were union projects. So it feels good to get back into bridge-building. It’s also great that local union members can work in town, instead of having a long commute.”

Slowly but surely, Todd believes ARCCAW is gaining ground with commercial employers in the region. “We’re forever competing for projects, and most commercial jobs in town have gone non-union recently. But we’re battling steady and the good work we do is being noticed.”

Another new infrastructure opportunity for ARCCAW was its involvement with the recently completed expansion to Fort McMurray’s water treatment plant. “Bird Construction used ARCCAW workers on that project and the company was very happy with our work,” Todd says. “Bird’s made a name for itself in wastewater systems because they’re very good at what they do. As Bird continues to win contracts for Phase 2 of the project, they’ll also continue to hire ARCCAW workers.”

It’s all part of building a strong reputation for the quality of union work. “Employers know ARCCAW will do a decent job, and when they look good, the union looks good too,”

says Todd. “So far we hear from Aecon that our workers are doing an excellent job on the overpasses, with top-notch production.

As companies like Aecon and Bird, who like working with ARCCAW, move in and win bids on a lot of upcoming projects, that creates new opportunities for us. Hopefully it’s the start of a new northern trend.”

More future employment for ARCCAW members in the north, and an easier drive to those jobs, thanks to new infrastructure projects, built in part by union workers. Sounds like a win-win all around.

Overpass Overview In addition to the 11,750 oil sands workers who ride Diversified buses twice daily to job sites north of Fort McMurray, “A lot of townies like to drive their own vehicles to work,” says David Todd, an ARCCAW business representative for Fort McMurray. That commute will soon be less stressful, thanks to two new overpasses being built with ARCCAW carpenters and scaffolders.

The overpasses cross Highway 63 into two of Fort McMurray’s largest residential subdivisions: Thickwood Heights and Timberlea, home to about 55,000.

The $300-million projects began in the summer of 2010 and are scheduled for completion within two years.

BUILDING ON A Northern Construction Trend

FROM THE GROUND UP: (above) At the ACFN Business Group construction site in Fort McMurray, carpenters Mike Johnston (foreground) and Leo Parsons; (top right) carpenter William Campbell and (bottom right) carpenter apprentice Amanda Richard

Another project keeping Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW) members busy is the construction of the ACFN Business Group’s new business administration building. Located just on the outskirts of Fort McMurray, the building will serve as an important hub for a group of 11 businesses in this growing northern community.

“ACFN Business Group is a conglomerate of businesses wholly owned and some of them partially owned by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations,” explains David Henry Todd, Fort McMurray business representative with ARCCAW. The civil construction project is still in its early stages – “Right now they’re still doing grade beams and pilings,” says Todd – but is another indication of growing opportunities in the Fort McMurray region. Bird Construction is the general contractor and has five carpenters working on site, he adds.

The ACFN Business Group’s operations include janitorial services, waste management, metal fabrication, manufacturing, tire recycling and civil engineering and construction services. Its companies currently employ over 1,400 workers and as it continues to grow and expand its operations, it is sure to create new employment opportunities in the Fort McMurray region. – Kim Tannas HARDHAT FALL 2010

15

Future

Forecast Experts offer up their 2011 predictions for Alberta’s construction trades

“M

y crystal ball’s a bit fuzzy right now,” Herb Holmes confesses. The Edmonton manager for Construction Labour Relations-Alberta is uncharacteristically cagey when asked to predict the economic health for the province’s construction trades in 2011. Since part of Holmes’ job is keeping a close eye on the province’s pulse as the Alberta chair of the Construction Sector Council’s forecasting committee, he’s usually comfortable looking into the future. But as global markets continue to swing between recovery and recession, Holmes candidly admits nailing down next year is a tough call.

“It’s anyone’s best guess how the world – and Alberta – will do next year. We’re on the knife’s edge. Things could go either way, although we’re all hoping the recovery is real.”

Holmes isn’t alone in his uncertainty about what’s ahead. “Even the best and brightest economists aren’t sure,” says Jana TolmieThompson, economic development officer for Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association. “Half say everything’s rosy; half think we’re going to hell in a hand basket.” Or, as Ron Harry, executive director of Building Trades of Alberta, often jokes, making economic predictions in today’s economic climate is like forecasting Alberta’s weather: there’s a good chance you’ll be wrong.

Still, our experts have formed educated guesses with more behind them than the random rumours of toolbox conversations.

Their observations are based on an analysis of past and present labour trends, as well as good gut instincts honed by years in the trade. That combination provides the best view of the future right now, in lieu of the proverbial crystal ball. Here’s what our panel sees coming down the pike for Alberta’s construction trades.

18

HARDHAT FALL 2010

By Lisa Ricciotti Illustration by COLIN SPENCe

2011’s Big Challenge: What’s Next?

Looking back, it’s now clear that Alberta wasn’t as hard hit by the economic downturn as other provinces. As Holmes explains: “The recession had a lot of impact on projects that were in the planning stage, but not so much on those already in progress. Fortunately, Alberta had several major projects that kept going regardless of the recession.”

That buffering effect is ending though. “Shell’s Scotford Upgrader near Fort Saskatchewan is ramping down,” notes Harry. “And Phase 3 of TransAlta’s Keephills power plant is ending its project life too. By the end of this year, we’ll see many people looking for work.”

As large pre-recession projects wind down, what will replace them?

That’s the big challenge for 2011. “Employment may level off for the next six months, with some unemployment depending on the trade,” Harry predicts. “But that will be offset to an extent by new maintenance jobs at recently completed projects, as well as ongoing turnaround [shutdown] work at other plants. By the second quarter of 2011, however, we should see some important new projects underway to provide significant employment.”

A notable example is Imperial Oil’s Kearl Lake oil sands mine north of Fort McMurray, first delayed in 2008 by the drop in world oil prices, then again by an environmental review process. In August 2010, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) gave the green light for Kearl’s tailings pond, as the company promised to meet higher regulatory standards in the near future. That’s good news for the construction industry, since the mine has an expected lifespan of 40 years, with three phases of operation. The first is expected to begin production in late 2010 with 100,000 barrels a day; later expansion could increase that to 300,000 barrels daily.

Also on the horizon is a North West upgrader/refinery in Sturgeon County which will have the capability of converting bitumen into die-

sel fuel, as well as the usual easier-to-refine light oil. The project offers a new direction of increased “Made in Alberta” employment, as the first provincially based upgrader planned under the bitumen royalty-in-kind (BRIK) program, where the provincial government takes its royalty payments from oil sands producers in bitumen rather than cash. For the first time, instead of shipping bitumen royalty oil south of the border via pipelines to American facilities for further refinement, North West and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) would set a new precedent by doing the job right here at home.

Negotiations are still underway between the province and North West/CNRL on final details. Harry cautions that “It’s not over till it’s over,” but most anticipate construction will begin in 2011, with about 3,000 construction workers needed for each of three project phases. The initial phase is budgeted at more than $4 billion, the entire project around $18 billion. Completion is scheduled for 2013, with a final output of 150,000 barrels a day – with half of that as Alberta royalty oil-in-kind.

Also filling the gap are new startups that have reignited as the economy has improved, including Phase 3 of Suncor’s Firebag project (and hopefully Phase 4 down the road). Total is again giving serious consideration to its Joslyn mine development 65 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, a huge project expected to yield two billion barrels of bitumen over 30 years. As well, Total and ConocoPhillips are moving ahead with Phase 2 of their Surmount operation, a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operation about 60 kilometres southeast of Fort Mac. But keep your eye on the price of crude, says Holmes. “We need to see oil prices stabilize again for the many oil sands projects in the planning stages to become viable.” While industry insiders talk about new developments – for example, further expansion at Syncrude’s Mildred Lake, Phase 2 of CNRL’s Horizon oil sands, and possibly Husky Energy’s $2.5-billion Sunrise Oil Sands SAGD operation – the tipping point to push projects into action is oil prices above $75 a barrel. As Holmes puts it: “If prices consistently return to around $80 to $90 per barrel, jobs will be coming out of the woodwork.”

Holmes is hopeful that will happen. He expects the current U.S. moratorium on deep-sea oil development will increase demand from Alberta, and notes that the province’s economy could become less dependent on the U.S. in the future, if trends to increased oil sands investment from China, Korea and Japan continue. “Last summer China became the world’s largest energy consumer. We’re still very linked to the U.S. by our pipelines, but China could become a large market.”

Other Trends Ahead Summing up prospects for 2011, our experts agree no one should expect boom days to return, but employment will be available.

“There’s a sense things are moving ahead,” says Martyn Piper, executive secretary treasurer for the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW). “It might be a year before some of these projects really get going, but the work’s coming.”

Holmes agrees. “We probably won’t see a surge in employment until 2012. But meanwhile, there’s work to go around, including jobs at Edmonton’s mod yards.” Commercial construction is expected to hold its course, with some large projects such as the hospital underway in Fort Saskatchewan and another proposed for Sherwood Park, and infrastructure projects will continue, including highway repair and LRT expansions. As for the residential market? “Alberta’s pendulum swings between over- and under-building,” says Holmes. “Buyers are now starting to eat away at the reserve of existing homes, so we expect a not-too-bad year for 2011, with renewed impetus in 2012.”

Looking further ahead, the push to green the oil sands also offers promise. “Alberta’s constantly introducing new technology, but we haven’t been very good at telling the world about it,” says Tolmie-Thompson. She’s encouraged that recent awareness campaigns by associations like the Oil Sands Developers Group (OSDG) are creating a more positive message about the industry, which will help secure public approval for future development.

At the same time, a number of smaller oil sands players are experimenting with new technology. If successful, pilots like Petrobank Energy and Resources’ Whitesands project could create a smaller environment footprint, new extraction techniques – and new job opportunities.

While some worry there won’t be enough work next year, other forward-thinkers wonder whether the future will provide enough workers to get the work done. Holmes explains that although Alberta has the youngest construction workers overall of any province, many are choosing early retirement, or have become very selective, working only part of the year at highpaying projects. Foreseeing a possible worker shortage, Harry emphasizes that as significant numbers of baby boomers retire from the trades, “We need to remind the new generation that working union is the place to be.”

It’s an opportune time to promote the trades as a career choice to Alberta’s high school students, Tolmie-Thompson notes.

In the short term, more workers retiring from the trades than entering translates into jobs next year for the current workforce, even before new projects hit their hiring peak. As well, says Holmes, “We don’t expect to see a big influx in hiring foreign workers next year.”

Ultimately, though, the biggest challenge ahead is whether new construction project managers will choose to hire union.

“There can be all the projects in the world,” says Harry. “But it all comes down to whether union contractors get the work. We’re in a very competitive environment, and to keep the union’s reputation strong, we must continue to demonstrate the value of union workers every day on all projects. If we can show that union professionals provide the skilled-worker advantage, then new work will also be union work.”

HARDHAT FALL 2010 19

Best Foot Forward

By Lindsey Norris Illustration by heff o’reilly

Two new health and safety programs help workers keep their minds on the job

T

here’s a tricky thing about work.

When you’re there, you’re expected to be a productive, focused employee, regardless of what’s going on at home. But that can be difficult when you’re experiencing health, relationship or personal issues. And, let’s be honest: regardless of how understanding your supervisor or co-workers are, some topics just aren’t water cooler conversation.

At the extreme end of the scale, a distracted worker can make the workplace a more dangerous place to be, particularly in the trades, when even a hammer can cause injury if its wielder is distracted.

To help workers stay focused on the job and make the work site a safer place for everyone, ARCCAW is introducing two new programs to its members.

One, the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), is available to members and their immediate families. It can put people in touch with services, including professionals, to help them resolve problems affecting their personal lives – everything from online prevention-driven health risk assessments to marriage counselling.

It’s not just touchy-feely mumbo jumbo, either. “If you’re worried about your teenager because you’ve just found marijuana in their drawer and their grades have slipped, you just can’t leave that at the door,” says Lorene Beckett, a senior advisor at Human Solutions, the company that administers the program. “The program is there to help families manage their health and well-being. It is really designed to have individuals access it before an issue becomes a big issue.”

Of course, not every event can be cut off at the pass. For those situations, counsellors are available to meet with in person or speak with over the phone.

“Life happens,” Beckett says. “People pass away, someone in your family might be diagnosed with a medical condition. In that case, we can offer what we call reactionary support for situations that are intense or acute.”

She stresses that most people wait too long to seek help for problems, and advises against it. “On average, couples wait six years before coming in for marriage counselling,” she says. “I feel that if I am not using the program at least once a month, I’m not managing myself and my family well.”

The other program newly available to members is the Rapid Site

20

HARDHAT FALL 2010

Access Program (RSAP). Drug and alcohol testing is mandatory at almost all construction sites in Alberta because of the obvious safety concerns associated with impaired people working with heavy equipment and power tools. But such testing can delay access to job sites, and some people have concerns about privacy, particularly in how testing results are handled.

RSAP, which is a voluntary program that workers can sign up for, allows participants to bypass the site-access tests and begin work immediately. In exchange, they must agree to undergo random testing once on the site. The chief advantage is it eliminates the waiting (and lack of working) that occurs while results of substance tests are being processed. Plus, any random on-site testing is done on paid work time.

“Of course, the access to job sites is of big benefit to the member,” says Valerie Rendell, a labour relations representative at Construction Labour Relations. “Rather than waiting a day, two days or longer to get a negative test result before being allowed on site, they are allowed access right away at participating sites upon confirmation of the program.”

REPORT She adds that most people can be grandfathered into the program without additional testing, provided you meet certain conditions.

Those include a previous negative drug and alcohol test conducted within the past 90 days, or, if you are currently working on a site, the completed pre-access test for that site.

Rendell says it also has some advantages for people who are concerned about privacy.

“Once in the program, your employer and union will only see if you have active or inactive status,” she says.

You can’t work on the site on inactive status, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve failed a test; you can be declared inactive for administrative reasons – for instance, if you haven’t kept your case manager apprised of your current contact information, and they are unable to reach you, you may be put on inactive status. In any event, your file is handled by a third party, which means very little of your personal information is sent to your employer or union, which is not the case if you don’t sign up for RSAP. “Outside of RSAP, if you’ve violated the Canadian Model for an employer [the industry’s alcohol and drug policy] and are sent for a substance abuse assessment, that can be shared with the employer,” Rendell says.

ACCESS DETAILS To sign up for the Rapid Site Access Program, go online to www.rsap.ca and click on “register.” Then fill out the electronic form. It will be forwarded to the third-party management team, OHI, which will contact you to go over the next steps.

Services through the Employee and Family Assistance Program are offered online, by phone and face-to-face. For more information, visit www.humansolutions.ca. Also, check the brochure or wallet card (available at union counters) for more information on the extent of services offered as well as the correct phone number to reach a confidential intake centre that will direct you to the appropriate place. Don’t have your card yet?

Call 1-800-663-1142.

Local 1460 Millwrights

Pride in Precision

A

ttitude and productivity are the strongest skills millwrights bring to the job site. We millwrights are proud of our record of working both efficiently and to incredible standards of precision. Our reputation in Alberta’s oil, petrochemical, pulp and paper, and power generation worlds is the result of intensive training and mentorship both during and after apprenticeship, and teamwork with fellow millwrights who share a deep sense of pride. Precision and productivity are at the foundation of our attitude. They’re how we define ourselves in Millwrights Local 1460.

We are Alberta’s best-trained precision workforce. Absolutely top-notch skills are at the heart of the value we bring to our clients and contractors.

We need to grow market share in both the construction and the maintenance environments. Our memBob Hugh, Senior Business bership needs to get more involved in the training Representative - Millwrights courses we have to offer. Both Petro-Canada and Dow Chemical have made very significant donations to our training centre. These donations are also a challenge to make sure our members and contractors are the most productive and competitive in our industry.

The future well-being of this local depends upon our continued commitment to embrace starting apprentices and young journeypersons into this organization.

Starting this fall, we plan to host a new member orientation. Sessions will include an overview of our Dispatch System, Collective Agreements, Health & Welfare, Pension, Obligations, Training, Union Business and Union Citizenship.

At our 40th General Convention, UBC general vice-president Doug Banes stated, “The most important skill is attitude. If we are going to replace the negative image that was built up over the years, we have to bring the most skilled, productive workforce in North America to the table.”

HARDHAT FALL 2010

21

Members gain advantage from hands-on instruction in the industry’s latest tools and technology By Jim Veenbaas

W

hen Bob Hugh was working as a millwright, laser levels and alignment tools were few and far between, sophisticated technology used for only the biggest, most expensive jobs. Now they are almost commonplace, with more than a dozen models on the market.

The pace of change is spinning ever faster in the construction industry and keeping up with the latest advances has become essential for skilled workers. That’s where guys like Bob Hugh come in. The senior business representative for the Millwrights Local 1460 works behind a desk now, but he appreciates the value of giving his members hands-on training with the latest equipment.

“The changes taking place in the industry are growing exponentially. We are buying the latest equipment and have some of the best instructors in Alberta. We are very keen to ensure that our people have the skills and abilities in place to make a difference,” says Hugh.

“That’s why we have so many upgrading courses. We try to bring value added to our members, to our contractors and our clients. Once our members complete their training, they become better employees and more valuable in the workplace.”

The Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers shares that commitment to skill training, just as it shares a 30,000square-foot training centre in the west end of Edmonton with the Millwrights. In addition to apprenticeship programs for carpenters and scaffolders, the centre offers a wide variety of upgrading courses.

The specialized training gives union members a tremendous advantage when competing in the job market.

“The basic skills you need are the same as they were years ago, but the tools and technology have changed considerably. There’s always

22

HARDHAT FALL 2010

new products out there and more efficient ways to get things done. We train our students in as many different types of manufacturing systems as we can. They can be working for multiple companies so they need to know what’s happening out there,” says Len Bryden, director of training and apprenticeship at the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre.

“Look at modular concrete forms. We’ve gone from using plywood and even planks, stacking them up and bracing them, putting in steel and pouring concrete. A lot of it is now done precast. Forms are shipped to the job site in pieces from a factory where they make them in controlled conditions. It’s just a matter of putting them together correctly and knowing what to do.”

If the demand and the need is there, both the Carpenters and Millwrights will gladly offer courses to teach members how to work with new tools and master new techniques. At its shop in the training centre, the Millwrights have purchased a wide range of equipment, including a high-torque bolting system that can measure distances to a thousandth of an inch, optical levelling and alignment systems.

As well, a multimillion-dollar hydrogen compressor was donated by Petro-Canada.

HIGH-TECH TRAINING: Future millwrights can learn new skills and techniques in ways never before possible, thanks to investments in state- of-the-art equipment

“We have a two-horsepower pump with a transparent case and transparent liquid supply pipe. This has given us the ability to teach about pumps in a way that has never before been possible,” says Hugh.

“Our instructors can demonstrate, in real time, the consequences that result when operators try to wring more flow from a pump than it was designed to produce. We can show how problems in the pump can be created by other elements of the system.”

More recently, the union has invested $60,000 to purchase stateof-the-art laser levelling and alignment equipment. Students enrolled in the training course get hands-on experience working with the technology and a comprehensive understanding of the principles behind the application.

“There are now probably 10 or 15 different laser tools out there and I can teach anyone off the street how to use one, but it’s not enough to know how to operate the equipment. You have to understand how it works,” says instructor Jim Archer, who has extensive experience in the field and 14 years of experience teaching at NAIT and SAIT. “Our guys understand how the technology works. They can explain to customers exactly what is right and what is wrong. A lot of the nonunion guys don’t have access to this type of training and don’t have a complete understanding of the technology.”

The Millwrights don’t offer an apprenticeship program, but they will pay for the education of its members, whether it’s at home or even at the UBC International Training Center in Las Vegas. “We have set

up a training fund in our collective agreement and we use this to ensure our members are the most skilled in Alberta,” says Hugh. “If they want to take more advanced courses in Las Vegas and work with other millwrights from across North America, it’s all paid for. You can go to Vegas with a dime in your pocket and return with that same dime.”

Although the pace of change in the construction industry is accelerating like never before, members of the Millwright and Carpenter locals will be well prepared to meet the challenges of the future, thanks to the support and resources of their unions.

“In some ways the industry is very much the same as it has always been. The basic engineering and physics are the same. People 150 years ago had similar anxieties as the guys have today. It was a different medium, different technology, different materials and a different time, but the challenges were the same,” says Hugh. “You have to keep current with the latest technology, but you also have to know where you come from.”

HARDHAT FALL 2010 23

10 0 2 , 2 m.

1 r e b p. m e 0 c 3 De till 3: Hall , y a y Sund00 noonrs Union, Calgar 12: rpente et NW 103 ?

2 Ca h Stre l oca rs old t L f 0 o 1 ea r y 1 e b 2 0 1 ere 3 to mem ty wh Par u a ren up s o a y m . t Are s child Chris d to them e a a o t h ited istribute em befor v n who i th ed are

nes es will b register 47, o iday, e r l t 7 i F t o i t 0 d l o o call 283 your day t d go fI so, gifts an e to do is at (403) om Mon ildren. . fr your ch hav r 15 ill m e . u w b p o y d m f 0 l i l e o 3 l : h A Nov . and 4 ages t each c the d n m a a . t :00 a e names ertain th as tree a 8 n c ee th m betw lling us ou will be he Christ all. te ay, y t under t s Union H w t Tha e a gif nter there! e p r v a C ha he ou

y

at t o be nks! t e v ha ha ldren eir gift. T i h c th he hat t receive t e t e no ty to Pleas tmas Par Chris

See

REPORT

Training and Apprenticeship

Sharing Success, Building in Strength Len J. Bryden Director of Training and Apprenticeship Alberta Carpenters Training Centre

I

just returned from Ottawa after attending the yearly National Apprenticeship Training Advisory Committee (NATAC) meetings, and also the annual National Carpenter/Millwright/Drywall competition, where our Alberta carpenter and millwright competitors did all of us proud once again.

(We will be entering a drywaller in next year’s competition).

Our Alberta millwright Skyler Beynon took home first place in his category (and the Millwright National Trophy!), and our carpenter contestant Matthew Cochrane did us all proud with an excellent effort, only to be edged out by a few points by some other competitors, with Saskatchewan’s Collin Barre taking top spot, and the National Trophy to his home local for the next year. Great job to all the competitors. You make us all proud!

Events like these and the recent 2010 General Convention are very important to our organization and the people in it. Not only do these events serve as a forum to conduct meetings, to make rules and decisions that affect many, but they also bring us closer together.

We have an opportunity to network with other trainers, reps, organizers and staff from all over North America. We share in our successes and defeats, and what does and doesn’t work.

It always invigorates and strengthens us and helps us all to keep pushing forward. Those who have the opportunity and privilege to

attend events like these will tell you the same thing: there is great value in communication.

Locally, I am utilizing the Train-the-Trainer courses offered at the International Training Centre this fall for Builders Level and Transit, Commercial Door Hardware and Ingersoll Rand Door Hardware, Stair Building (to enhance our carpenter apprenticeship training), as well as Hoisting and Rigging and refreshers for all instructors as we continue to increase our offerings. I am working on projects with the B.C. Regional Council and the International regarding scaffolding training. I have been sending instructional staff (as time permits) to these areas to assist with curriculum development that will match what we are doing in Alberta, to make any future permits/transfers easier, and to assist those areas of the Brotherhood to make us all stronger.

As always, I encourage all members to become indentured carpenter apprentices and get their provincial certification and Interprovincial Red Seal. We are very concerned that industry in Alberta and elsewhere might be moving toward what amounts to a dismantling of the current apprenticeship system, and modularizing it, eventually justifying lower wages and benefits for all workers in the carpentry business. This would have a trickle-over effect to our scaffold markets as well. This could mean your employer would only want you to be good at one thing, and would pay you accordingly, as opposed to a worker completing a full apprenticeship and having a much broader knowledge base. If we ignore this, and don’t take apprenticeship in our carpentry trade seriously, then it may be taken away from us, and many things we have fought for will be lost. It’s something to think about. (Now quit just thinking about it and learn how to become a registered carpenter, drywall, roofer or millwright apprentice today!)

We still have an opportunity to prove to industry and government in this province, and this country, that they shouldn’t mess with the apprenticeship system. Once again, we need to be willing to continue to prove what we can do when we stick together for the right reasons.

I’ll see you in class.

HARDHAT FALL 2010 25

Chi 20 1 l d Chr ren 0 istm ’s a Par s ty

Fo rM em ber so f Lo ca l 13 25 Reg Edm istra Sun tion on day dea dlin ,D to e e: F n rid 11:30 cemb e a Reg ay, No .m. – r 5, 2 iste v 0 r ea 3 e rly mbe :00 p 10 – sp r .m ace 19, 20 .

1 is li mite 0 d

Ita l 142 ian C 30 Edm – 1 ultur ont 33 A al on ven Cen trE ue

All family members welcome!

Children aged 12 or younger will receive a gift.

To Edmpre-r (78 ont egist o (80 0) 471 n o er, ca f 0) 272 320 fice ll th e -79 0 or at 05 to llfre e

Celebration includes entertainment and luncheon.

To ensure space for everyone, pre-registration is required for children receiving gifts and for taking part in the luncheon. No presents will be handed out after 2:30 p.m.

Registration requires the following information: • Member’s name • Number of family members attending function • Age and gender of children 12 and under

We will not accept registrations after November 19, 2010.

Geared Up

By Jim Veenbaas

Tools to help you work better POWERFUL LIGHTWEIGHTS Dewalt has developed a line of lightweight, lithium ion power tools that deliver a combination of torque, speed, battery life and comfort that’s ideal for both professional carpenters and weekend renovators.

The new line of 12-volt tools includes 11 models of drills, screwdrivers, impact drivers and wrenches.

The tools only weigh about two pounds each and were designed from the ground up based on feedback from carpenters. That input was essential to the development of performance, durability, run time and ergonomic enhancements.

“Sometimes, a seemingly minor feature of a tool is of huge importance to the pros. Our tools were designed so they would remain standing up. It doesn’t seem like much, but the feedback from end users has been extremely positive. Not being able to stand up tools was definitely a frustration on the job site,” explains DeWALT product manager Marlon Thompson.

One of the more innovative features is three LED lights positioned around the chuck. This produces a much better stream of light than drills with one light and helps eliminate shadows, providing a much brighter light source and ensuring better accuracy.

The sub compact drills and impact drivers have a high-power, high-efficiency frameless motor that delivers increased performance, while allowing users to access even the tightest work spots. www.dewalt.com, 12V MAX 3/8” Drill Driver Kit: $180; 12V MAX 1/4” Screwdriver Kit: $160; see online for other models

A CUT ABOVE Anyone who measures twice and cuts once has never been introduced to SawGear, a portable digital measurement tool that attaches to any mitre saw and can be easily programmed to make repetitive cuts that are accurate to 1/128-inch.

Produced by New Bedford Tool & Gauge Co., SawGear replaces the tape measure for most cuts up to 12 feet long and eliminates inaccurate measurements and time-consuming pencil marking.

Simply attach the SawGear to any mitre saw, enter the required dimensions, slap the material against the rugged stop and cut the part.

With precise measurements all the time, SawGear will save carpenters considerable time. The company’s website says it can cut job completion times by 25 per cent, but even if the number is closer to 10 per cent, SawGear could have a huge impact on productivity.

The tool earned rave reviews in the Journal of Light Construction, a monthly publication for builders and remodellers. SawGear was featured in the July 2010 edition in the annual list of Most Innovative Products. www.sawgear.com, 8-foot system: US$2,195, 12-foot system: US$2,495

HAMMER TIME Stanley has hit the nail on the head with its line of FatMax graphite hammers. The hammer features a strike face that is 70 per cent larger than traditional hammers, creating a bigger sweet spot for improved accuracy and power. A lightweight graphite core and overstrike protection handle provide extra durability.

The patented torsion control stabilizers reduce arm twisting and the patented AntiVibe technology acts like a tuning fork that reduces vibration as the hammer strikes the work. The enlarged handle reduces gripping fatigue and the crowned face makes it easy to drive nails flush without marring wood surfaces.

The design innovations are simple, but they make the FatMax one of the most comfortable, powerful hammers on the market. www.stanleyhandtools.ca, 16 oz curved claw, smooth face hammer 13” long: $20; 20 oz rip claw, smooth face hammer 13” long: $25

MASTER DETECTOR Milwaukee’s latest version of the stud finder can’t find the keys you lost last week, but it can sniff out virtually anything else.

The 12-volt Sub-Scanner Cordless Detection Tool can locate a wide range of material behind everything from drywall and tile to marble and gypsum – and can even locate rebar buried up to six inches deep in concrete. The tool can also detect the location and depth of various materials, including wood and metal studs, copper, aluminum and plastic pipe.

The stud finder delivers on performance, but it’s also easy to use. Simply select stud or metal on the thumb control, hit CAL and let the machine do the rest. The SubScanner has four wheels that easily glide over any surface, is powered by rechargeable batteries, provides an ergonomic handle and a high contrast white-on-black display screen for clear readings. www.milwaukeetool.com, $389 HARDHAT FALL 2010

27

UPCOMING

Training + Events

General Events

Training

Local 1325 Children’s Christmas Party Date: Sunday, December 5, 2010 Location: Italian Cultural Centre, Edmonton See page 26 for full details

For full listings or more information on training courses, visit www.abcarptc.ab.ca or phone the Edmonton office: 780-455-6532 or toll-free 1-877-455-6532.

Local 2010/2103 Children’s Christmas Party Date: Sunday, December 12, 2010 Location: Carpenters Union Hall, Calgary See page 24 for full details

Edmonton Pre-Employment Carpentry Program: November 1 to December 24 OSSA Fall Protection: November 2, 6, 16, 19 OSSA Confined Space: November 13 H2S Alive (Enform Certified): November 14

Millwrights 1460 Children’s Christmas Party Date: Sunday, December 5, 2010 Location: Provincial Training and Administration Centre, Edmonton See page 31 for full details 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

Calgary Industrial Technical Training: April 4 to 17, 2011 Door Hardware Installation Course: April 18 to 21, 2011 Fort McMurray Scaffolding Level Three: March 14 to April 1, 2011 June 13 to June 30, 2011 Millwright Training Centre The training calendar for the remainder of the year is now available. To register for any of the courses, please email Laurel at lmacfarlane @millwrights1460.com or phone 780-430-1460

In Memoriam ARCCAW notes with sorrow the passing of the following members.

LOCAL 1325 Girard Franche, July 2010, Age 82 Gerald MacDonald, July 2010, Age 49 Randy Pankiw, August 2010, Age 48 David Taje, August 2010, Age 78

at ext. 2166. For the full course listing, visit www. albertamillwrights.com.

Compressor Intake 1: November 1–3; November 8–10 GE Gas Turbine: November 1–3 Compressor Intake 11: November 4–6 Millwright 16-Hour Safety Course: November 4–5; November 18–19 1 Day Rigging: November 6 Overhead Crane: November 12, November 20, December 9 GE Gas Turbine Familiarization: November 15–17 Steam Turbine Course: November 16–19 Laser Alignment: November 23–26; November 29– December 2

73,000 Albertans serving 3,000,000 more.

With more than 73,000 members AUPE is Alberta’s largest — and strongest — union. We work to get our members what they deserve — fair wages, safety and job security. In turn they give Albertans what they deserve — quality service.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Your Working People. www.aupe.org

28

000.AUPE_1-2H_nBL.indd 1

HARDHAT FALL 2010

1/14/10 11:23:34 AM

KidZone

A Working Holiday Labour Day may have come and gone, but did you stop for a moment to think about this holiday and what it’s all about?

It’s more than just the last long weekend before school starts. It’s actually an important holiday that’s been around for a very long time. In Canada, Labour Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September since the 1880s. And what does it celebrate? If you look it up on Wikipedia, it will tell you it’s an “annual holiday that celebrates the economic and social achievements of workers.” Nurses, teachers, bus drivers, construction workers… all of these workers play an important role in our community. Can you imagine what it would be like without them?

It was the efforts of labour unions that brought us this holiday. These groups worked hard to make sure workers were being treated fairly – and they still do today!

Word Search Circle the names of different workers you can find hidden below. Words can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, frontwards or backwards. Maybe one of these workers is someone you’d like to be someday.

a t m u s i c i a n t s l e

f t s i t n e d d a o l w t

i n c i r t i h x c m c r s

r a i t g e l i i i n o e p

e i p a s o d a l i t o t h

f r i r h r l l w c a o n a

i a u i i w w o o y a a e r

g n t v o r r d h f e s p m

h i e r i e e e c c f r r a

t r k g h p o i s e y a a c

e e h c d e c f h l x s c i

r t a i a r c e h s p l p s

t e l e c t r i c i a n i t

t v t m a t s i m e h c e s

carpenter cashier chemist dentist doctor electrician firefighter nurse lawyer millwright musician pharmacist psychologist scaffolder social worker taxi driver teacher veterinarian HARDHAT FALL 2010 29

Parting Shot Carpenters Local Union 1325 was started in November 1902 by 18 union pioneers. Today it likely exists far beyond what its founders had envisioned. But the motivation remains the same: to improve the terms and conditions of employment for members and the lives of working people and their families.

Here’s a look at some milestones in the history of Local 1325.

Flashback Local 1325 November 11, 1902: Local 1325 was granted its charter by general president William D. Huber. It has the distinction of being the oldest active local union in Alberta.

July 3, 1903: The first recorded meeting of the local. The initiation fee was set at $1 and dues were 50 cents per month. The first president was W.A. Deyl, who served four years.

1904: Wages were $2.50 for a nine-hour day. The initiation fee was raised to $5 and dues to 60 cents per month. Brother J.A. Kinney was hired as the first business agent. He would become very active in many areas of the labour movement in Alberta.

April 1905: The first union hall was rented. During this same period, members who were sick could draw $3 a week for up to nine weeks for income support.

June 1909: The first local strike committee was appointed. Its report included a recommendation that members on strike should receive $4 per week.

August 20, 1909: A collective agreement was signed.

1911: Wages were increased to $3.60 per day, membership was over 300 members and work was underway on two of Edmonton’s landmarks: the Parliament buildings and the Tegler Block.

March 21, 1913: The labour hall in Calgary hosted the first convention of the Provincial Council of Carpenters, with four of the 10 delegates coming from Edmonton.

1922: Poole Construction (PCL) opened its office in Edmonton, forming a relationship with the local that has continued to this date.

1932: The depression of the ’30s saw membership down to 80 (from 214 in July 1928). Wages were rolled back to 85 cents per hour. The local was forced to cash in a $1,000 bond to carry the members’ dues.

1936: Bird Construction arrived in Edmonton to build various projects like the Canada Packers Plant. The relationship with Bird Construction has continued to the present date.

First Provincial Council of Carpenters meeting in 1913

1943: Coast Construction was given the contract to build the Namao Airport for the U.S. government, one of the first jobs to use masonite.

Post WWII: The DEW line in the North and other civil defence projects provided a new beginning for members.

1959: A members’ hall was constructed for the local.

1960s/70s: The oil sands came to the forefront, with many carpenters heading north to work in Fort McMurray. The spinoffs from the oil sands still create many downstream projects and jobs in the Edmonton area.

1968-1978: Local 1325 members went on strike on three different occasions. In the fall of 1976, an addition to the hall increased its size fourfold.

1980s: Starting out with over 5,275 members, numbers quickly diminished when boom times ended. A 24-hour lockout was imposed by contractors. In 1984 the local fell on tough times with no collective agreements and a decreasing membership. In 1989 a new collective agreement was agreed to and ratified between Local 1325 and contractors.

1990s: Scaffolding became more prevalent. Increased pension and health benefits became a priority for members. Training centres were opened in Edmonton and Fort McMurray.

1997: Restructuring was underway, with hiring of staff, union education programs and accountability on every front. An automated dispatch system was introduced.

2002: The local’s membership was at 4,500, including a 600 member base in Fort McMurray.

2008: A new $21-million Provincial Training Centre & Administration Building, with more than 30,000 square feet of top-quality training space, was opened in Edmonton.

2010: Local 1325 continues to build on its solid reputation, reaching 7,100 members as of August 28.

30

HARDHAT FALL 2010

1939: Work was on the upswing and the rebuilding of the local underway. It survived hard times thanks to the perseverance of executive committee members J.A.Smith, H.P. Hamilton, W.G. Cutis, L.D. Pollard, D.R. Blair and J.Logan.

High Level Bridge construction

60 4 1 l a oc L s t h wrig l l i M a Albert

s ’ n e r d l i h C ! y 0 t 1 r a 20 P s a m t s i 10 r 0 2 h , 5 C er b m . e c m . p 0 y, De :0 Sunda 1 a.m. to 3 1

ining a r T l vincia Centre o r P , l Hal tion a g r n t i t s i e n nton i o Me m m d d A & nue, E e v A – 123 0 1 2 15 Children

me! o c l e w ome are C s . r t e f i b g m ve a y me All famil nger will recei p.m. for face 1 ou 12 or y 11 a.m. and tist! Luncheon ar between nd a balloon m., followed by a p. painting 12 noon and 1 . between te magic show nu , a 50-mi everyone r d food fo n aged 12 n a e c a p dre es To ensur riate gifts for chil must! a op and appr re-registration is er, p and und

cepted c a t o n s ion Registravtember 21. after No rmation: wing info the follo requires n o ti a tr Pre-regis name ing er’s rs attend • Memb f family membe 2 and under n1 er o • Numb ender of childre g d • Age an

nnelle at e at a e J ll a c toll-fre gister, To pre-re 60, ext 2164, or ovember 21 -14 nN 780-430 079 no later tha 0-5 1-877-25

Alberta Carpenters Training Centre 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-ofthe-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

MEMBER SAVINGS

LASER

1/13/10 3:43:38 PM

VISION CORRECTION

ARCCAW MEMBER SAVINGS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE

PREMIUM PACKAGE

Over 55,000 procedures performed & more than 10 years in AB.

AT CLEARLY LASIK IN EDMONTON

FREE

LASIK 10060 Jasper Ave, Ste. 303 . Scotia Place Tower II . Edmonton clearlylasik.com EXAMS 780.421.7007

000.ClearlyLasik_1-2H_nBL.indd 1

3/19/10 8:45:43 AM