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 District 5Members at Dawson kept busy (July 2007) By Mike Spiruda, Member Representative Although exploration in the oil and gas industry slowed somewhat this summer, the industry remained fairly active with plant shutdowns, facility upgrades and pipeline maintenance. Dawson Construction Ltd. is installing services to 200 residential lots, excavating 31 city streets for proper drainage, installing culverts and laying geotextile and geogrid. The third phase of four-laning the Alaska Highway is also under way just north of the Fort St. John city limits. With 4 kms tendered this year, Dawson Construction Ltd. also has the excavation, drainage and culvert installation work on this project. Northeast Coal Mining has kept members working for equipment dealers who are busy with rebuilds, maintenance and parts supplies. As new construction projects get started, the demand for qualified tradespeople in all our crafts continues to increase. Some employers view the skills shortage as an excuse to apply to import foreign workers. In the long run, that will have a negative impact on our collective agreements. A bidding war among our signatory contractors and equipment dealers for a select group of tradespeople will not solve the problem either. We all have to work together in organizing and recruiting new qualified tradespeople and apprentices. With this being an election year, your support for me as District 5 Executive Board member is much appreciated. Have a safe summer. |
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