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 TrainingThis year marks another successful rodeo (October 2007) By Brad Randall, Training Plan Administrator On Saturday, June 16, the Training Plan held its 12th Annual Open House Heavy Equipment Rodeo at our Maple Ridge Training Site. Although the weather was a little damp, we still had over 500 members and their families and friends attend. The food was delicious and everyone had a fantastic time. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves operating all the heavy equipment. Our focus this year was on families and children. We handed out small plastic hard hats, complete with decals, for the kids, provided all our heavy equipment to operate, set up our mobile crane simulator and had an information tent to explain all the courses and services of the Training Plan. If the happy faces are any indication, we should have a lot of operators in the future. With the help of our Business Manager, Brother Gary Kroeker, we convinced Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon to attend. Mr. Falcon operated one of our excavators and our 30-ton mobile crane. He was very impressed with the layout of our training site and the variety of heavy equipment we train on. Organizing an event of this size requires a lot of time and effort. I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers who came out to help, especially those who gave their time on the Saturday. Without them, this event would not take place. I would also like to thank the following contractors and members for providing additional equipment this year. - Kansen Crane provided its Liebherr 100-ton hydraulic mobile truck crane. Thanks to Brothers Eric Kan, Randy Grisewood, John Sleigh and Mike Anderson. - Sterling Crane provided its Grove 240-ton hydraulic mobile truck crane. Thanks to Mike Maitland and Brothers Dave St. Jean and Les McClure. - Brandt Tractor provided its John Deere 310SG RT Backhoe, two John Deere 27D mini excavators and a John Deere CT332 track skid steer. Thanks to Bruce Perret and Rick Cleghorn. - Coneco provided its Komatsu PC35MR mini excavator, Komatsu CK 30 track skid steer and Hamm 3410 grade roller. Thanks to Brad Masson and John Wocknitz. - Parker Pacific provided its Dynapac CA262 grade roller and Dynapac CC122 combination roller. Thanks to Brad Gustason. - Reynold Bros. Concrete provided its Schwing 52-metre concrete pump truck. Thanks to Chris Reynolds. - Trimac provided its Highway B-Train chemical tanker for display. Thanks to Brother Bruce Anderson. - Southcoast Petroleum provided its fuel tanker for display. Thanks to Terry Dyck and Brothers Peter Malacarne and Jamie Bannister and a special thanks to Brother Colin Cameron who made stickers for the kids with different pieces of equipment printed on them. - Thanks to Waste Management for providing 5 Portalets. DADS Day June 16 was also Dollars Against Diabetes Day, the day that building trades members across the country raise funds in search of a cure for diabetes. We set up a table at the registration desk and raised over $700 for this cause. Crane certification update Effective July 1, 2007, all crane operators had to be registered with the BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS). By the end of July, there were nearly 10,000 crane operators registered with the BCACS. The assessments/testing for certification should commence by the end of the year. The Operating Engineers Training Plan has developed a six-hour refresher/upgrading course for all crane operators that can be taken prior to their assessment. This course will cover load charts, rigging and regulations. We will be sending out letters to all members advising when and where these courses will be provided. If you are interested and would like to pre-register, please call the Training Plan office at 604-299-7764. B.C. Instructor’s Diploma Congratulations to Brother Pat Watson, Earth Moving Instructor; Brother Steve Carter, Asphalt and Plant Instructor; and Brother Jeff Klynsoon, Mobile Crane Instructor for successfully completing their B.C. Instructor’s Diploma, one of the highest standards any instructor can achieve. All three obtained top marks in their class which only goes to show that Operating Engineers are simply the best. I would also like to thank them for being so committed to their respective trades and the Operating Engineers. We all appreciate the time they spent working nights and weekends to complete all the assignments. M.L. PARR Award The M.L. Parr Award is presented annually to the heavy duty mechanic apprentice who achieves the highest marks upon completing the four-year apprenticeship and obtaining a Red Seal, inter provincial Trade Qualification Certificate. The award, established in 1980, is named for Brother Mike Parr who joined the Local 115 in 1948, served as a business representative in 1952 and was elected business manager in 1963. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1980. The recipient of this prestigious award receives a plaque and a cheque for $300 and has his or her name put on a large plaque that hangs in the Training Plan office. The award for the Top Heavy Duty Mechanic Apprentice for 2006 goes to Brother Caelan Trustham who works for B & B Contracting. Election of Officers Thanks to all the members for their support in electing me by acclamation as vice-president of the IUOE Local 115 for the next four-year term. I will continue my efforts working in the best interests of the membership of this great union. Work safely. |
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