Uniting Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers across Alberta
Partners in
Change
Winter 2016
Union workers are vital to the construction of the Sturgeon Refinery
TRADE SECRETS
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hits the front lines at carpenter training centres across Canada
LEGENDARY LIFE
Barrie Regan remembered for his contributions to the Alberta labour movement Training o at ITC ptions toolbox ; Tips for es ; M Journey eet the man;
CORDLESS 7-1/4" SLIDING MITRE SAW
NO CORD REQUIRED TO OPERATE
UP TO
275 CUTS PER CHARGE**
Introducing the NEW 20V MAX* Lithium Ion CORDLESS 7-1/4 Inch Sliding Mitre Saw. With the DCB204 4.0Ah battery, the DCS361 Cordless Mitre Saw can make 183 Cuts of 2x4 pine or 275 cuts of 3-1/4 pine base molding, per charge, on average. The XPS™ light casts a shadow exposing the "cut line" for the user, allowing for a precise cut to be made. Weighs in under 32lbs and allows you to carry it easily using 2 metal handles. Easy transport from jobsite to jobsite. With cordless performance like this, who needs a cord? Copyright ©2015 D EWALT. The following are examples of trademarks for one or more D EWALT 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. *Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18. ** On average when used with a D EWALT 20V MAX* 4.0 Ah battery in 3-1/4˝ pine base molding.
2"- 3-1/2" DUAL SPEED CORDLESS FRAMING NAILER
NO GAS REQUIRED TO OPERATE
XR® CORDLESS FRAMING NAILER. NO GAS CELLS, NO GAS CELL FUMES, JUST CORDLESS POWER. In this Framing Nailer, DEWALT’s 20V MAX* XR® LITHIUM ION Battery System combined with advanced Brushless Motor technology supply the power and extreme runtime professional users demand without the additional cost and annoying fumes of gas fuel cells. Mechanical rather than gas operation offers consistent performance at temperatures as low as -15°C and as high as 50°C with minimal cleaning/service requirements. The dual-speed selector design optimizes motor speed to drive 2" - 3" nails in first speed, 3 1/4" - 3 1/2" nails in second speed setting. Get off your Gas and Get DEWALT.
D E WALT’s Perform & Protect ™ line of Power Tools & Accessories is designed to provide a high level of one or more of the following: control, dust containment, or low vibration, without sacrificing performance
20V MAX* XR Lithium Ion Brushless Dual Speed Framing Nailer DCN692M1
* With respect to 20V MAX*, maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18. † Based on results using the 20V MAX* Premium XR Lithium Ion 4.0 Ah high capacity battery pack (DCB204) Copyright ©2015 D E WALT. The following are examples of trademarks for one or more D E WALT 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. * With respect to 20V MAX*, maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.
Executive Secretary Treasurer’s
REPORT
Remembering Things That Count Martyn A. Piper
W
ow! What a year.
It was marked by two elections that resulted in complete changes of government, both federally and provincially. The price of oil hit new lows that many had never seen before, and the economy now hangs in the balance. Yins and yangs actually do happen: that’s physics. So the message we should glean from this changing state of affairs is to take nothing for granted in life, to prepare for the unexpected and know tomorrow may just bring something very different from today. However, what does not change is those people who are close to us. For this reason, it’s important to appreciate family, partners, sons and daughters, children, friends, colleagues, neighbours, Brothers and Sisters, not just at this time of year but throughout. Know that when you say goodbye it might be the last time, so make it good. Take the time, and do not regret that last couple of minutes with someone. When illness or death suddenly hit someone close to us, we invariably question our sense of loyalty to one another or second-guess whether we could have gone that extra mile for that person. But by then it’s usually too late. As one gets older one starts to value things and people like never before. Material things matter less, and people and relationships matter more. I am getting to that age where some of my old colleagues and friends are confronting life’s challenges, and some simply don’t
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HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
make it. And then all we have are the memories. In 2015 we lost Bill Alton and Barrie Regan – both prominent members of our union – and we also lost a number of other members, all whom have given great service to our organization. As a union, we pride ourselves on helping those in need, we step up to help those who serve and we participate in the community to support charities that are in need of help. Union people are some of the most generous within our society and are quick to give a hand to someone in need. We must take that sense of benevolence for one another onto the jobsite and into the workplace, and tailor it into effective relationships. I appreciate we don’t get to choose who we work with in our teams and on our crews, but all too often we allow the craziest of things to cast a pall of negativity over a group, letting conflict and acrimony dominate our day. Life is too short and there are always going to be peaks and valleys, good days and bad days, but come on, is it worth it? No, of course not. So as we enter a new year, let’s take a moment to reflect, think about things that matter in our lives, tolerate people’s differences, have patience and hopefully your day will be a little less stressful. The year 2016 is going to present some different challenges and pressures for all of us. It is unlikely the economy will bounce back to its pre-2015 norms, so now, more than ever, think about the “what ifs,” think about what really matters, and know that things will turn around at some point because as surely as 2015 had its surprises, there are bound to be more in 2016. Best of the season to all!
Contents 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
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
10 Refining Change Sturgeon Refinery north of Edmonton is taking shape and keeping carpenters and scaffolders employed By Shelley Williamson
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
Winter 16
FEATURES
15 A Life Remembered Barry Regan was a leader for decades in provincial union and labour movements By Kevan Regan
18
18 Prime Time
Ruth Kelly
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau connects with tradespeople at training centres across Canada
ARCCAW EDITOR
Martyn A. Piper EDITOR
20 2015 Christmas Party Recap
Shelley Williamson ART DIRECTOR
28 Viva Las Vegas
Charles Burke
20
UBC’s International Training Center offers hands-on training at a worldclass facility By Brandi Thorne
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Andrew Wedman
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Betty Feniak
PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS
Brent Felzien, Brandon Hoover CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Colin Belliveau, Martin Dover, Kevan Regan, Ted Remenda, Brandi Thorne, Willow White CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Jessica Fern-Facette, Buffy Goodman, Evan Montgomery, Darryl Propp VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES
DEPARTMENTS
4
Note from the Executive Secretary Treasurer By Martyn Piper
7
Site Lines
27
Anita McGillis
16 Safety Report
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Sue Timanson
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE
Kathy Kelley
23 Millwrights Report By Ted Remenda
SALES ASSISTANT
Julia Ehli
24 Geared Up
Contents © 2016 by ARCCAW Inc. No part of this publication should be reproduced without written permission.
25 Kid Zone 26 Meet the Journeyman 27 Meet the Apprentice
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
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
29 Training and Apprenticeship Report By Colin Belliveau
30 Parting Shot 31 Training & Events; In Memoriam
10 ON THE COVER: Local 1325 helping build the first refinery in Canada since the ’80s PHOTO: Darryl Propp WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT 5
Site Lines
News in Brief
A roundup of news and events from around the region
Stretches for the Work Site Head Drops (neck) 3. Hold for 15 seconds. 4. Return head to neutral position. 5. Repeat on the other side. Tip: When tilting your head, move ear directly towards your shoulder.
Tricep Stretch (back of upper arms)
Chest Stretch (chest, front of shoulders)
1. Start in a neutral standing position: feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders back, chest up and back neutral. 2. Raise one arm overhead, reaching for the ceiling. 3. Bend elbow and put arm down the back with the palm flat against the back, using your other hand to gently pull the elbow in to increase the stretch. 4. Hold for 10 seconds. 5. Repeat on the other arm. Tip: Keep your head up and chin in.
1. Start in a neutral standing position: feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders back, chest up and back neutral. 2. Clasp hands behind your back. 3. Draw shoulder blades down and back. Lift your hands away from the body to feel the stretch at the front of the chest. 4. Hold for 10 seconds. Tip: If clasping hands is uncomfortable, place your hands on lower back, fingers down.
Source: United Brotherhood of Carpenters
1. Start in a neutral standing posture: feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders back, chest up and back neutral. 2. Gently tilt head to one shoulder without twisting your neck or raising your shoulder.
Show Me the Money for financial assistance as they learn and hone their craft. You can even get a tax deduction for your tools! Here are a few sources of available funds: Student Aid Alberta provides loans and grants to apprentices registered in the Alberta apprenticeship program with apprenticeship and industry training who are attending an approved technical training program as a full-time student. As long as you are registered and progressing as an apprentice, you will remain in interest-free status on your current and previous Alberta student loans for the duration of your apprenticeship program including technical training and on-the-job training. For more information on loans for apprentices, visit Student Aid Alberta. The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada to help complete an apprenticeship in a designated Red Seal trade. You can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training. The money will be available to you to help with tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone
wages and to help support your family. The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, up to a maximum of $2,000. This grant helps registered apprentices in designated Red Seal trades get started. The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable cash grant of $2,000. This grant helps registered apprentices who have completed their training to become certified journeypersons in designated Red Seal trades. The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for an employer that is equal to 10 per cent of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in respect of employment after May 1, 2006. The maximum credit an employer can claim is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.
Source: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Apprentices in the building trades have opportunities
Canada Tradesperson’s Tool Deduction Canada Revenue offers a tax benefit in the form of the Tradespersons’ Tools Deduction. Apprentices may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools bought to earn employment income as a tradesperson.
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
7
Site Lines
News in Brief
A roundup of news and events from around the region
UBC Best in Safety Class At one of the largest facilities in the Athabasca oilsands on the morning of January 6, 2016, Safway and the membership of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers union achieved a notable milestone: one million hours recorded injury-free on the site. This follows a September 2015 milestone, marking three years at the same site without so much as one recordable incident. These are both incredibly remarkable achievements, even more impressive when taking into consideration they were each marked in a harsh and demanding natural environment. I know that our customer, as well as Safway, holds the health and safety of employees and your membership as a core value, and it is a pleasure to be able to celebrate such milestones. As we have discussed previously, Safway is the only union contractor providing any maintenance services at the above site, and this achievement is a testament to the hard work of all our organizations. Our customer certainly sets the tone and facilitates the execution of our scope in an environment that is designed to ensure the safety of our craft and our customers’ personnel. It’s up to each organization to capitalize on this environment and ensure we provide the most basic right, that of a safe workplace for all those working in our craft and to execute the work safely – every time. I commend Safway’s site leadership and front-line supervision for being passionate about the welfare of everyone in its care and control,
Build Your Leadership Team in Vegas Want to go to Vegas and learn how to build leadership? Two classes are available this spring for signatory contractors to attend at the International Training Center in Las Vegas. The Collaborative Leadership: Building Jobsite Leaders program is available to all supervisory personnel, including foremen, general foremen, safety managers, project managers, estimators, superintendents, and company owners. While participants don’t need to be United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) members, approval is required from the district vice-president, general president and executive secretary treasurer. Transportation and room and board for this program will be reimbursed by the CITF for UBC members who successfully complete the program. Non-members’ transportation and room and board costs will be reimbursed by the UBC. Available dates for the three-day courses are May 6-8 and May 29-31 inclusive. For more information, contact the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW)’s executive secretary treasurer, Martyn Piper, at mpiper@albertacarpenters.com. 8
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
as well as their commitment to loss-free operations and sustaining the environment which fosters a strong and sustainable safety culture at all times. With a work force that reaches an excess of 350 workers at time, it is obvious that the craft in this case was not only embraced, but also strengthened by a prevalent safety culture. This is an easy thing to say and perhaps even expect on any site, but is much more difficult to achieve in practice. While working in our respective crafts, we must always be committed to seeking out and mitigating risk, delivering and receiving peer-to-peer intervention and taking the actions needed to complete each task properly. Without that commitment, this one-million hour milestone would simply not have been possible. I thank you and your leadership for providing the best trained and competent workers in the industry, and would like to personally congratulate you on this accomplishment. – Steve Wilson, President Safway Services Canada
LU1325 Social Fee Yearly charge $10 Reminder: Please check with the Local office to make sure your social fees are up to date. The employer does not deduct and remit this charge to the Local. Members must pay directly! Examples of social fee usage: • Kids’ Christmas Party • Summer Family Picnic • Member Awards Dinner and Pin Presentation Please contact the Local office for details on your account. Edmonton (780) 471-3200 Fort McMurray (780) 743-1442
5 2 3 1 l
G a IN c L Lo R U C
, ir e t de piri a ar m s am tea c f d o y an a d ion d e t ill eti f p un om f ra c o sf
L E I P S N O B
nu i Jo
By Phone: (780)-733-2160 or toll-free at 1-(800)-272-7905 *Payment by credit card only
l ia or ) em da M na Ca on rs rio ris ar ar dW 16 n G lub n m unde 20 to C so u o 9, on ing 5/per inimd to W d h 1 m rl ire $2 e m te
d u : a u c EE gam on e req ar E C M he nd ION F two- s are dailabl ience t a d at l f AT tee fee s av per Go STR ran tion ider g ex GI ua ra sl lin am RE r a g gist and cur 00 fo re s us l m 7: am l (A oo vio n: 0 e r io :0 * B pr at : 8 No str e gi tim Re tart S
Register By Mail: UBCJA Carpenters Local 1325 Suite 133, 15210 – 123 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3 *Payment by cash, cheque or money order
Team name: __________________________ Player names: ________________________ 1. ___________________________________ 2. ___________________________________ 3. ___________________________________ 4. ___________________________________
In Person: At the Edmonton Carpenters’ Hall (see address above) *Payment by cash, cheque, debit or credit card
Team Contact name and number:
Participation is limited to 16 teams, so register soon.
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
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HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
Refining
CHANGE The Sturgeon Refinery project northeast of Edmonton is taking shape, keeping carpenters and scaffolders employed
By SHELLEY WILLIAMSON
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
11
Victor Hanan
Tom Allison
Sean Felix
“Our instructors have actually gone to the UBC International Training Center in Vegas to set up scaffolding training curriculum, in fact. It’s the Alberta standard,” says Gord Hrycun.
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HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
PHOTO: NAME
Ryan Condon
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
13
Steve Gilson
Ryan Clarke
Leonard Misener
Everett Patterson
THE WHEEL DEAL Bus Basics for the Sturgeon Refinery site: In the interest of everyone’s safety, a bus system for the Sturgeon Refinery site transports many employees to and from the area from the Edmonton region as well as providing transportation on site.
82: The number of buses in operation. 2,300: The number of regular riders to and from work (out of the 3,600 workers currently on site). 7,100: The number of bus trips taken for a total of two million kilometres on and off site. $1 million: The estimated savings by workers by not using their cars to travel to and from the site, based on a cost of running a vehicle at .52 cents per kilometre.
Y V A HE T N E M UIP EQ SIM
AINI R T R U L AT O keyano.ca
NG
Supported by
T A SKILLSE
THAT MOVES
Barrie Regan Obituary
Legendary Life
Remembered
I
t is with deepest regrets that we announce the passing
of Barrie Regan, the beloved husband of Roxsane Regan, father to three sons: Dolton (wife Connie), Rob and Kevan (wife Shayesteh), a grandfather to three granddaughters (Brittney, Sydney and Sierra) and a grandson (Colton). He passed away on Tuesday November 10, 2015, of cancer at Laurel House Hospice in Surrey, B.C. Barrie was born and raised in the province of Alberta where he lived all his life until retiring to White Rock, B.C. 10 years ago. Barrie made many friends along the way and achieved a great deal of accomplishments throughout his life. Barrie joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served until 1965, when he was honorably discharged and he returned to Edmonton. Upon his return, he looked to follow in his father’s footsteps by working in the trades and being involved in unionism. His work in the trades began with the Ironworkers Local 720. In 1969 he changed trades and started his apprenticeship as a carpenter and joined the Carpenters Local 1325. Barrie completed his Red Seal Journeyman status at NAIT and his career as a journeyman carpenter began. Barrie and his family moved from Edmonton to the village of Alberta Beach at Lac St. Anne in 1970. Shortly after moving, the family lost everything in a house fire. He worked with the community to help build a volunteer fire department, where he served as deputy fire chief. Barrie also became involved in local community activities to ensure his kids had things to do. He founded the Scout troop at Alberta Beach and aided in fundraising to take the Scouts to the Alberta Jamboree in 1976. He also worked as an assistant baseball coach. In the fall of 1976, Barrie and his family moved to Lloydminster. He continued to be involved in the local community and the Scouting movement. Barrie was a Scout Master and worked with the local Scout troop to raise funds for Scout outings and equipment. He worked with different companies within the community to raise enough funds to take 10 boys to the Canadian Jamboree in Prince Edward Island in 1977. Before leaving Lloydminster, Barrie attended the Wood-badge Conference for Scouting with 161 other attendees, where he attained his Wood-badge level in Scouting. Barrie left Lloydminster in 1978, and lived and worked in both Calgary and Edmonton until setting up roots in Edmonton in 1984. As usual for Barrie, he continued to be involved with his community and the union. He began volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) on behalf of Carpenters Local 1325 in 1985. He volunteered with DADS Day, bingo events and walk-a-thons for JDRF. As Barrie’s kids were all grown up, he devoted a lot of his spare time to
JDRF, the carpenters union, Edmonton and District Labour Council, the apprenticeship board and the labour movement. Barrie’s work with union and the labour movements continued. He served as the recording secretary for the Carpenters’ Local 1325 and did so for many years. Barrie worked with the union as social committee organizer and in doing so worked at ways to get the members together with their families. Barrie helped in re-launching the annual Christmas party and summer picnic for the members and their families. He organized the biannual pin presentations and was instrumental in organizing the 100th anniversary for Local 1325. For all his years of community service, volunteerism, unionism and work with the labour movement, Barrie received the Jim Shewchuk Award in 1999. In 2000, Barrie organized the first annual golf tournament for Local 1325, to help bring together members of the local and to raise funds for JDRF. The golf tournament was renamed in 2005, when Barrie retired, to the Barrie Regan Annual Open Golf Tournament in honour of all the work that he had done for the union. Barrie and his wife Roxsane retired to White Rock, B.C. in 2005, where he spent his mornings walking down at the ocean and his days with his wife. They spent 10 years wintering in Arizona were he could golf daily until the sunset. Barrie was a leader in many ways, a boss, a friend, a community leader, a union leader, a volunteer, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a son and an uncle. He was a man that anyone could go to with anything. But mostly he was a husband that was most proud of his wife and his family. He will be sadly missed by everyone who met him. Please send all condolences to barreg42@shaw.ca –Kevan Regan WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
15
REPORT
Safety
Near Miss Reporting: A Lesson Lost or Gained
W
hat is a near miss? A near miss is an event
which had the potential to cause injury and/or damage and/ or loss, but which was avoided by circumstances. Whether there is no injury, a small bruise or scratch or a serious injury, the consequences of unsafe acts and conditions are like leaving something to chance. A ratio showing a relationship between the number of near miss incidents and injury incidents reported shows that for around every 15 near miss incidents, there may be one serious incident. In other words, there are 15 missed opportunities to prevent an injury. Hundreds of near misses can go unreported each month on a job site. Many of you may not think of an incident as a near miss, but it is more often human nature that keeps these lessons from being reported and improving the safety system. Reasons employees may not report near misses include: • They do not want to be blamed for problems or mistakes they may or may not have created. • They do not want to create more work for themselves or others. • They do not want to be perceived as someone who is a troublemaker or careless worker. It takes time to report a near miss and there are several reasons people don’t do it. However, it is truly important for you report them. If not, we lose a free lesson in incident prevention. The few minutes spent reporting and investigating near miss incidents can help prevent similar incidents, and/or severe injuries. The difference between a near miss and an incident is typically a fraction of an inch or a split second. An ideal near miss event reporting system includes both mandatory (for incidents with high loss potential) and voluntary, non-punitive reporting by witnesses. A key to any near miss report is the “lesson learned.” Near miss reporters can describe what they observed of the beginning of the event and the factors that prevented loss from occurring. Some of the more common voluntary systems used on sites are observation cards or hazard IDs. These are tools used to correct a situation before it develops into a more serious situation. These should be used as a no-blame or no-fault identifier, otherwise the program may not be followed for fear of being that troublemaker. Once these cards or forms are completed, it is vital that they are followed up on in a timely fashion. Near miss reports, because they are a free lesson tool, should be used at morning or weekly toolbox meetings, so the message gets out to all workers and helps prevent future types of incidents.
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HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
Ryan Swann Safety Coordinator (NCSO) EllisDon Construction Services Inc.
Cash prize of $5,500 to winner plus other awesome stuff In celebration of Armour Equipment’s 55th anniversary, we are holding a first of its kind scaffold art design competition strictly for members of Locals 2103 & 1325. We know you’re out there telling your buddies you’re the best, now prove it! Visit our website (www.armourscaffold.ca) for more details and registration.
Prime Time Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rolled up his sleeves and sported safety gear as he met with some of the key players in the building trades from east to west at training centres from east to west. Trudeau took time out of his busy schedule to tour the Ontario College of Carpenters Training Centre and the British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters Training Centre before the election. Here are a few highlights of his visits.
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WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
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’Tis the Season LOCAL 2103
PHOTOS: DARRYL PROPP
Kids of all ages were treated to refreshments, a visit with Santa and a chance to get up close and personal with their favourite reptiles at the annual Local 2103 Christmas party on November 15. Once again held at the Executive Royal Hotel, a good time was had by all.
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LOCAL 1325
PHOTOS: DARRYL PROPP
The Balloon Doctor was in the house along with Santa Claus, a handful of creepy crawlers and a magician for Local 1325’s annual holiday party, this year held at a new venue, the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Kids under 12 also came away from the December 6 festivities with a gift from Santa himself.
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
21
LOCAL 1460 The Double Tree by Hilton hotel played host to the annual Local 1460 Christmas party for members and their families. Holiday goodies, a balloon artist, face painting, a visit from St. Nick himself were highlights of the November 29 affair.
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Local 1460 Millwrights
Walk the Walk Making toolbox talks and pre-job assessments a daily component can mitigate work site hazards
A
short safety meeting before the start of shift is generally
referred to as a “Toolbox Talk.” Attendees review the site shift activities and discuss safe work practices – a crucial part of every day. Corporate management, site management and your union all encourage group participation. A pre-job assessment card is used by many sites to list individual tasks and ways that millwrights can mitigate any associated hazard. Laypeople may envy what we get paid to complete these cards, but the discussion surrounding the card contents ensures each worker’s day is productive, safe and with an end goal being zero safety incidents. This toolbox talk focuses on the tools of your livelihood. Costing members approximately $3,200, this investment can deliver a huge return, as well as reducing contractor capital costs and wait times at tool cribs. The recent collective agreement has eliminated some of the larger, heavier tools. The full collective agreement and a current tool list can be found on the website at albertamillwrights.com/members/document-centre. In order for job stewards to receive or release your tools on a work site, it’s a good idea to have them itemized on a list in your toolbox. Here are a few don’ts for your tools, which have been reported as deficiencies on some job sites, which the membership as a whole finds unprofessional and embarrassing: • Tools in plastic shopping bags and canvas pouches; • Tools of questionable quality (purchased from low-end suppliers); • Tools and toolboxes covered in rust; • Tool sets with missing pieces or required tools; • Toolboxes shared by multiple members; and • Tools being left abandoned by members on site.
Ted Remenda, Senior Business Representative Local 1460 Millwrights
Tips for tool professionalism: • Arrive to the job site prepared with two tool boxes in hand. Heavy tools should be stowed in one tool box and smaller, precise tools in another. • Members’ names should appear on toolboxes, which should also be locked or have the ability to lock. • Tools should always be stored in a warm place to prevent rusting and worn tools should be replaced regularly. These tools are how you make your livelihood and should demonstrate pride of ownership. • When contractors pay initial and terminal travel rates and the use of your tools is required, you are paid a tool travel allowance of 18 cents/kilometre. Strongly consider using these funds to purchase new tools or replace worn ones. • When working maintenance, treat tools respectfully. Carelessly damaging a client’s tools is not acceptable and could affect a member’s future employability with that client. • Your most valuable tools are your accreditation in this Red Seal trade and maintaining a positive professional attitude on and off the job site. So be sure and maintain a set of tools you can be proud of. WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
23
Geared Up
By MARTIN DOVER
Work Smarter, Not Harder TETHER YOUR TOOLS Whether you’re transferring a tool from one hand to the other or to another person, there’s always a risk of dropping that tool. In many environments, such as working at heights or around heavy machinery, this can pose a safety hazard. That’s where the Proto SkyHook Tether and Transfer System comes in. As part of a new line of industrial tethered tools and accessories, the system features next generation safety technology that allows workers to securely transfer their tools. The tool tethering system consists of a wrist strap, SkyDock and SkyHook. The SkyDock attaches to the wrist strap (or it can be fastened to a tool belt, tool bag or other accessory) and the tool (up to six pounds) is then attached via the SkyHook. With only a short lanyard from wrist to hand, it allows for natural tool use and free range of motion, and if a tool is dropped, it only falls a short distance. The design includes active attachments that are always engaged during transfer from hand to hand, person to person, or hand to holster. The SkyHook safety tether product line includes a range of tether-ready Proto hand tools that are compatible with the system, and there are also many retrofit kit options that allow you to attach SkyHook tethers and mounting points to your existing tools. The Proto line is available through all existing Proto Industrial distributors (Acklands Grainger and Amazon.ca sell it across Canada) and retails anywhere from $65 and up for one system that includes a wrist strap, SkyHook and SkyDock. For more information, visit protoindustrial.com.
TEMPORARY TABLETOP Ultra lightweight, portable and easy to assemble, the Centipede Portable Work System makes it easy to set up a temporary work table on the job site or even around the home. With its unique steel frame design featuring multiple steel struts that rest directly between the load and ground, it can support a large amount of weight while preventing even the thinnest sheet materials from sagging. 24
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The work system is available in two models: the Centipede Sawhorse supports sheet lumber and table tops with six struts over a two-by-four foot area, is rated up to 1,500 pounds and folds down to six inches by nine inches. Plus, it weighs only 13 pounds. The Centipede Support XL supports materials with 15 struts over a four-by-eight foot area, is rated up to 3,000 pounds and folds down to nine inches by 14 inches. It weighs 32 pounds. Each kit includes Quick Clamps to keep materials in place and X-Cups that accommodate standard two-by-fours for traditional sawhorse applications. The work system can be dismantled in seconds without the need for tools, and can be easily packed up into the included storage bag. The work tables are available for purchase at Lowes Canada and at select Home Hardware stores and are also available online at lowes.ca and homehardware.ca. They retail for approximately $79.99 for the Centipede Sawhorse and $129 for the Centipede Support XL. For more information, visit centipedetool.com.
THE NEXT LEVEL Stronger than steel and yet as light as plastic, carbon fibre technology is found in such things as golf clubs, jetliners and high-end bike frames. Now for the first time ever, it’s being used in spirit levels. Dewalt’s 48-inch Carbon Fibre Composite Level model DWHT43134 takes advantage of this high-strength material, providing a sleek-looking level that can withstand even the toughest job sites. “The tough, high-strength composite material allows the level to absorb impact and to spring back without permanent deformation and loss of accuracy,” says Dewalt in a press release. Its box beam construction, acrylic vials and water resistance give it additional strength. Users will appreciate that the end caps are slim and flush to the sides so it’s possible to run lines all the way into the corners without loss of accuracy. The level is said to be accurate to within 0.0005 inch per inch of length (the industry standard) and has two hang holes for easy storage. It is available at Home Depot and independent retailers across Canada for $119.99. For more details, visit dewalt.com.
Kid Zone
Snow Days Igloos are a type of shelter built from blocks of snow in the shape of a dome. In a traditional igloo, blocks are cut from the snow and stacked up in a circle pattern, with the blocks leaning inward and getting smaller as you work your way up. Did you know that a well-built igloo can stay between −7 °C and 16°C even when the temperature drops to −45°C? That’s pretty warm!
Where does a snowman keep his money? (Answer below)
Crossword Puzzle
Snow Maze
Find some snow-related words in this wintry crossword puzzle.
Snow Maze: Find your way through the snowstorm to the igloo
Across 2 Downhill or cross-country, this is a fun activity in the winter 3 Do you wanna build a _____? 4 Wear one of these to keep your neck warm 6 The season that comes after winter 8 A warm winter drink (two words) 9 Used for clearing snow off sidewalks
1
2 3
4
5 6 7
Down 8 9
A: In a snow bank!
1 Wear mittens to protect your hands from this 2 These shoes are made for walking in the snow 5 These are formed when dripping water freezes 7 Popular Canadian winter sport played on skates
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
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Meet the Journeyman
By WILLOW WHITE
Finding Balance
A
love for woodworking runs in Jesse Christensen’s
family. In the 1920s, Christensen’s great-grandfather worked in northern Quebec as a wood pattern-maker, a trade which, in the modern day, is nearly extinct. During his childhood, Christensen regularly watched his uncle work in his antique refurbishing shop. Now, Christensen carries on the family legacy. He is a journeyman scaffolder who makes handmade furniture on the side. After graduating high school, Christensen used the skills he’d picked up while assisting his uncle and began working in the Ontario manufacturing industry. When he moved to Alberta, the first job he took was in a cabinet shop. “I like to make furniture,” he says. “That’s my favourite of all things.” Of course, handcrafting wood furniture isn’t always the most lucrative trade, so Christensen turned to scaffolding. He enjoys the money he makes, the schedule which allows him to be home with his family and the time he has to work on his hobbies. Working in scaffolding on a two-weeks-on and two-weeks-off schedule allows Christensen to find the perfect balance between his work and his passion.
“I don’t have to worry about the spectre of looming layoffs or getting fired if I see something inappropriate.”
PHOTO: JESSICA FERN FACETTE
Part of Local 2103, Christensen explains that while belonging to a union can, at times, be bureaucratic, it also offers security and protection: “I don’t have to worry about the spectre of looming layoffs or getting fired if I see something inappropriate. I can bring it up. And I’m covered, protected, as long as I’m doing my job.” Christensen also explains that belonging to the union assures equity among members. “Everybody gets paid the same, which doesn’t always happen in industry as we well know,” he says. Christensen adds another bonus: “I’ve got a good pension.” He rests easy knowing that he has chosen a career that will provide long-term stability for life. “In the long run it’s going to set my family up fairly healthily,” he says. In the future, Christensen plans on a career in scaffolding: “My intention is to keep pursuing my trade. I have completed a Red Seal. I will very shortly be a journeyman scaffolder.” Despite these accomplishments, however, he isn’t finished with learning and training. “The next step for me is to take my Blue Seal and my NCSO and essentially any courses I can take,” he says. In the long term, Christensen has even toyed with the idea of attending university to study structural engineering. “You’ve got to have a goal,” he says.
JESSE CHRISTENSEN 26
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
Meet the Apprentice
By WILLOW WHITE
Labour of Love
A
fter coming to Canada in 2007, Shafe Mohammed
Abdulahi found himself looking for a labour job. He eventually took a position as a framer’s helper, not knowing that it would eventually change the trajectory of his life. Now, Abdulahi is halfway through his four-year carpentry apprenticeship and well on his way to a rewarding career in the trades. The 28-year-old was born in Jijiga, Ethiopia, and had never thought about carpentry as a vocation until he stumbled into framing. “I didn’t actually do research on that field. I was just looking for a random job,” he says. As it turned out, Abdulahi was good at framing. “From then on I started liking the trade. I stuck with it. I got my blue book. And ever since, it’s been good.”
“I’ll be a double-ticketed tradesperson. Even though scaffolding isn’t all about carpentry, there’s more to learn.”
PHOTO: JESSICA FERN FACETTE
Now, Abdulahi belongs to Local 1325 and is quick to acknowledge the role the union has played in fostering his career. “The union is definitely helping me out a lot,” he says. He credits his local with getting him access to training and valuable work
experience. “The whole experience just pretty much gets better when you join the union. I’m taking all the courses that I need instead of actually going to NAIT or some other college. I’m saving money and taking courses,” he says. Abdulahi has enjoyed the training he has undertaken at the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre in Edmonton. “They’ve been all good. Everything about it was really good,” he says. While many carpentry apprentices alternate a semester of school with a season of work, Abdulahi is now completing two semesters of training in a row, with plans to work on a job site this spring and summer. Now that he has found a career he loves, he won’t be slowing down any time soon. In the next five years, Abdulahi hopes to finish his carpentry apprenticeship and complete the scaffolding upgrade as well. This will provide him with an even broader employment range. “I’ll be a double-ticketed tradesperson,” he says. “Even though scaffolding isn’t all about carpentry, there’s more to learn. And that’s pretty good.” Though it will mean a lot of time, both working and studying, Abdulahi isn’t backing down from the challenge and is excited for what the future holds. “You could do it the other way around too, but it’s not going to be as easy if you don’t do the carpentry first. It seems like the more advantageous way of going,” he says.
SHAFE MOHAMMED ABDULAHI WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
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on the level
VIVA LAS VEGAS UBC’s International Training Center offers hands-on trades training at a world-class facility By BRANDI THORNE
D
id you know that in 2015 more than 10,000 members
will have been trained through the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC)’s department of education and training? A large part of this training happens at the International Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Members travel to the sprawling one-million-square-foot campus and training facility to participate in transformational leadership, communication and mentoring programs. We, the Alberta Regional Council Sisters in the Brotherhood, believe these programs model behaviour and performance skills that will make us all better professionals. We encourage all members and our Sisters to enrol and take advantage of these opportunities. Our workforce is changing and becoming more diverse. New members are looking for opportunities and we must be prepared to support them. General vice-president Doug Baines said, “We’ve got to treat our younger members like gold.” The success of our organization depends on each of us stepping up and helping each other. General president Douglas J. McCarron says these programs will train our members “to help raise the game of every Brother and Sister around them.” The UBC leadership envisions a constructive culture where our professionalism, productivity, and attitudes win market share.
New members are looking for opportunities and we must be prepared to support them. The Alberta Regional Council’s Sisters in the Brotherhood knows how important it is for our Sisters to participate in these programs. As the workforce changes, we as Sisters need to be prepared for what comes. It is very important to have women mentors and role models. We need the training to be ready to step up. Contact Martyn Piper, ARCCAW’s executive secretary treasurer at MPiper@AlbertaCarpenters.com or carpenters.org to enrol. But remember, you will need a valid Canadian passport for entry into the United States. 28
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HIGHER LEARNING Third-year apprentices: Helping build our industries Apprentices learn how professionalism, productivity, skill and attitude contribute to their success, and to the success of the contractors who employ them. They gain a greater understanding of the UBC and the industries we serve, and the important role they play for both. UBC journeymen: Forming leadership for a stronger future Journeymen develop leadership, mentoring, coaching and communication skills; learn to engage with newer members; and lead by example, all while promoting positive work environments and productivity on the job. Mentor training: Strength in numbers Participants learn to utilize their knowledge about the UBC, the industry, the contractors with whom we are partnered and the unique challenges of our job sites. This course strengthens mentoring skills in order to help members be successful in mentoring partnerships.
REPORT
Training and Apprenticeship
Introductions and Thanks
T
o all of our readers of Hard Hat, allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Colin Belliveau and I am the acting director of training and apprenticeship for the Alberta Carpenters Training Fund. During this transitional period, I look forward to working with the membership, contractors and trustees to continue the good work that my predecessor Len Bryden was doing. For those who don’t know me, I have been an instructor at the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre (ACTC) since June 2011. I have had the opportunity to teach a wide range of courses, including all levels of scaffolding, as well as scaffolding journeyman upgrader, the first two years Looking forward, 2016 of carpentry, Trade Winds promises to be an exciting to Success (TWTS) and year, with highlights including Industrial Technical Training (ITT). So my instructional two apprenticeship contests background is diverse. to be held right here As this is my initial report in Edmonton. for the Hard Hat, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Len Bryden for everything he has done for the ACTC over the last 15 years, first as an instructor and then as the director of training and apprenticeship. He accomplished so much for the ACTC during his time here, and we all wish him the best of luck in his new position in Atlantic Canada. Looking forward, 2016 promises to be an exciting year, with highlights including two apprenticeship contests to be held right here in Edmonton – the provincial contest in June and nationals in August. In May, ACTC will be an exhibitor at the 2016 Provincial Skills Canada Competition, which will be held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. At the event we will be working hard to promote the ACTC and our union trades by hosting the Try-a-Trade booth, where attendees will get to have some hands-on experience with what our trade professionals get to do on a daily basis. In June, the Alberta Provincial Apprenticeship Competition will be held at the ACTC. The winner of this contest will go on to compete as Alberta’s representative at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners’ National Apprenticeship Contest (NAC). In August, the winner of each provincial competition throughout the country will be competing at the NAC, which is slated for Fort Edmonton Park. The event will include competitions in carpentry, millwrighting, ISM drywalling and floorlaying. We are especially excited this year because, for the first time, the NAC will also include a scaffolding competition. If anyone would like to volunteer some time to help us host these events, please email or phone the
Colin Belliveau, Director of Training and Apprenticeship Alberta Carpenters Training Centre colin@abcarptc.ab.ca training centre. As always, the ACTC continues to provide high-quality training courses for all our members, and one of my goals is to continue raising the bar on professionalism and producing tradespeople of the highest quality. We continue offering all the same courses as 2015, so keep checking our website as our course schedule is updated frequently. I look forward to a successful and productive 2016 and wish our readers all the best for the New Year. WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
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Parting Shot
Edmonton Ice District
With the quickly-rising Rogers Place (shown) as its anchor, Edmonton’s $2.5-billion Ice District is already transforming the capital city’s downtown. When complete, the entertainment mecca will include a 50,000-square-foot public plaza, casino, VIP movie theatres, two LEED Gold office towers, a four-star luxury hotel, high-end condominiums and scores of boutique shops and eateries.
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UPCOMING
Training + Events
MEETINGS First Wednesday of each month: Local 1235 meeting Third Thursday of each month: Local 2103 meeting Fourth Tuesday of each month: Local 1460 meeting TRAINING Alberta Carpenters Training Centre The following is a sample of training courses that are open for registration at the time of publication of this edition of Hard Hat. For full listing or more information on training courses, visit abcarptc.ab.ca or phone the Edmonton office at 780-455-6532 or toll-free at 1-877-455-6532. All courses are at the Edmonton location unless otherwise indicated. Aerial Work Platform: March 14-15, 2016 April 12-13, 2016 April 18-19, 2016
Door Hardware Installation Course: Apr 4, 2016 to Apr 8, 2016 Jun 20, 2016 to Jun 24, 2016 Forklift / Zoom Boom (Power Industrial Truck Operator): March 16-17, 2016 April 14-15, 2016 April 20-21, 2016 Scaffolding Level 1: April 11-29, 2016 UBC Builders Level and Transit: April 4-8, 2016 MILLWRIGHTS TRAINING CENTRE Visit www.albertamillwrights.com for a current listing of training courses available.
In Memoriam ARCCAW notes with sorrow the passing of the following members.
LOCAL 1325 Albert Potiuk August 4, 2015 Age 84 Roderick Milligan September 8, 2015 Age 58 Tony Summers October 8, 2015 Age 62 Ermidio Buset October 15 2015, Age 61 Joseph DeYoung October 25, 2015 Age 53 Barrie Regan November 10, 2015 Age 73 Steven Horgan November 21, 2015 Age 24 Dragan Kovarbasic December 4, 2015 Age 61 Ricky Amero Decemeber 16, 2015 Age 54 Richard Bourque December 23, 2015 Age 57 Young White January 12, 2016 Age 49 LOCAL 1460 George Semeniuk October 16, 2015 Age 69 Howard Robinson October 22, 2015 Age 68 LOCAL 2103 Bryan Head July 29, 2015 Age 57
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
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