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 District 2Working to carry on the bargaining success of 2007 (March 2008) By Tim Cullen, Member Representative Generally speaking, 2007 was a good year for the membership on Vancouver Island. We wrapped up bargaining on the paving, utility, United Rentals, Morningstar Golf Course and District of Port Hardy agreements. We’re still trying to finalize Robinson Rentals and Eaglecrest Golf Course. We touched up the Port Hardy Bulldozing agreement and put out notices to begin bargaining with Walco Industries Ltd, Northwest Sealcoating Ltd., Waste Services (CA) Inc. and Brandt Tractor Ltd. We are hoping to continue on the same successful bargaining path we followed in 2007. Many issues to resolve at Brandt Tractor Bargaining with Brandt Tractor Ltd. will be interesting because the members at the branches have given the union a clear mandate: “NO MORE TWO-TIER SYSTEM.” Members want all detrimental conditions imposed on them to be changed back. If the company doesn’t agree, it could be a long hot summer. The Local Union and Brandt Tractor went to arbitration last fall over the company’s hiring of apprentices in violation of the collective agreement. The agreement states: “The number of apprentices employed shall not exceed the ratio of one apprentice to each four journeymen.” The arbitrator ruled in favour of the Local Union. The company has to comply with our request that it not hire any more apprentices in any branch where there is a violation of the collective agreement. It does not have to layoff any apprentices where there is a violation. If it wants to hire an apprentice where a violation could be created, it has to ask the union. If we don’t agree to the request, the parties will go to mediation to resolve the matter. We believe this is a fair settlement. Unfortunately, Brandt does not and has appealed the decision to the Labour Relations Board. We may have a resolution soon. Many projects scheduled for 2008 This is shaping up to be another good year for utility and paving work. Site preparation work at the LNG storage plant is expected to begin in April. One or two cranes may be required for the duration of that project. We’re hoping several large residential and light industrial projects will be launched this year. Upland Excavating continues to be busy at the NVI mine site and has picked up the first phase of the Quinsum Coal open pit work. Hazelwood Construction should be completing the road realignment work at the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo with Hub City Paving doing the asphalt work. We hope you had a great start to 2008 and that it continues throughout the rest of the year. |
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