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District 1
Successor rights sought for Twin Tunnel Project Another successful organizing drive (September 2008)  Successor rights sought for Twin Tunnel ProjectBy Craig McIntosh, Member Representative Bilfinger Berger’s contract for the boring of the twin tunnels water project in North Vancouver has been terminated by Metro Vancouver (formerly the GVRD). The contract termination came after Bilfinger stopped the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) approximately 4 km into the 7.2 km project because of dangerous rock conditions. After almost five months of discussions, Bilfinger and Metro Vancouver could not resolve their differences on how to continue the tunnel boring safely. Bilfinger had over 100 employees on the project. About 25 of those were OE members. Bilfinger was able to move some members to their Golden Ears Bridge project, but others were laid off. The Operating Engineers, Electricians and Labourers unions have applied to the Labour Relations Board for successorship rights for the twin tunnels’ next contractor so that we can get our members back to work on a job they are familiar with and on equipment that has been left on site. New on the block Gastaldo Concrete has taken delivery of a new Putzmeister concrete pump. This is the first seven-axle straight frame concrete pump in B.C., 53.5 ft long with rear steering axles. It’s amazing how the equipment has changed since I started pumping in 1981 with a single-axle truck and a boom that reached 40 feet over the front bumper. Jack Cewe remembered Jack Cewe passed away in June. Hundreds came to remember him at an open house held at his company’s head office in Coquitlam. Employees, politicians and fellow contractors in the aggregate and paving industries came to show their respect for the man who started his business in 1953. Currently, Jack Cewe Ltd. employs over 100 OE members at its Coquitlam and Jervis Inlet operations. Many members have worked for over 30 years at the company. Pile driving agreement Members of the pile driving industry have ratified a new five-year agreement with the best wage package the industry has seen in years. We would like to thank the members of the steering committee for the time they spent communicating with members and attending meetings. We would also like to thank the committee members who attended the face-to-face negotiation sessions with the employers. I am sure this experience brought them valuable insight into the negotiation process. It was a job well done by all.  Another successful organizing driveBy Everett Cummings, Member Representative The Welcome to our new members from CWS Industries. The 65 members of the bargaining unit work in the welding and fabricating industry making buckets, quick couplers, guarding packages and other assorted attachments for heavy equipment. Brother Dave De Sousa led the organizing drive and did a great job for these workers. Hats off to you, Dave. Reese Evans and I will be bargaining for a first collective agreement with CWS. A chance for change The Liberal government brought in Labour Code changes that have made organizing very difficult. Municipal and provincial elections are around the corner and we should be doing our part to raise our concerns. Attend your city council meetings. Councilors work for you and you can make a difference. I have had success with my own city council on some issues. If we don’t vote in a new government in the next provincial election, Labour Code protections for workers could be further eroded. Recently, the Alberta government attacked working people with a law that makes it almost impossible to organize. The law makes salting illegal and votes are taken 90 days after the application has been sent to the Labour Relations Board. If the vote is successful, another has to be held 40 to 60 days later. Employees may have to endure months of pressure tactics from their employers to get union protection. Then, there are the challenges of achieving a first collective agreement! That’s why it is imperative to get active politically and vote. Don’t think that just because everyone has been so busy working during the past few years that things will be okay for the foreseeable future. It could turn bad with a swipe of our premier’s pen. Don’t forget to attend the general membership meeting on Saturday, Sept. 20th at 9:30 a.m. I hope everyone had a great summer. WORK SAFELY. |
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