Union Wants BC Workers on Northern Resource Projects
Prince George, B.C. – The union representing heavy equipment operators in the province is launching a new website and an advertising campaign to identify skilled workers for major industrial and resource projects underway or proposed for northern BC.
Local 115 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) represents 11,500 heavy equipment operators mainly in civil construction in B.C. and the Yukon. That includes crane operators, loaders, excavators and other pieces of heavy equipment used in construction. The local is attempting to draw the attention of interested workers to www.jobsfornorthernbc.ca where they can identify what equipment they’ve operated and what opportunity is of interest to them.
Brian Cochrane, Local 115 Business Manager, says “site C, a $9 billion project, is well underway and with all of the planned capital expenditures for construction projects including gas pipelines, LNG facilities, mines and investments in other major infrastructures, skilled operators will become in a much higher demand than the current market.”
However, he says in the case of Site C, the first piece of work let out, worth about $60 million, went out of province. Cochrane says “the historical way that Hydro has done dam construction in the province is with a project labour agreement with the building trades. Now they have deviated from that model for Site C because one of the things that a project labour agreement mandated within it was local hire provisions so locals get access to employment first before starting to go outside of that area.”
He says “under this new model that Hydro has adopted this first big piece of (Site C) work has gone to an Alberta contractor. So there’s lots of folks from Alberta that are coming and taking the jobs. It’s B.C. tax dollars that are building this $9 billion mega-project so we’ve had lots of discussions with government and with Hydro on this particular issue and we’ve certainly got a membership base to be able to support the construction of that job.”
“We want to make sure as the LNG and the pipeline work and all of the pending work becomes available that there is a layer of oversight that happens and demonstrate to government that we have the in-house forces in British Columbia to build these jobs.”
Cochrane says “even in our own membership, and certainly within the north, we’ve got members that are available for work right now so we’ve got people that we could be supplying to Site C and projects like that. So if our membership has got some capacity you know that the broader labour pool has probably got some as well.”
Cochrane says the only feedback from the Clark government so far was a statement from Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett “that they had no intention of trying to mandate British Columbians to be prioritized for these projects. So that’s the feedback that we’ve received so far.”
While that does not sound particularly promising Cochrane adds “but I think it’s very, very important that the public is really aware of the positions that are taken by government, and the work that we’re trying to do to make sure British Columbians comes first as we develop our resources.”
Comments
No good, rotten, union rascals! Good for for nothing parasites. Who do they think they are trying to secure access to publically (you and I) funded projects for an already present workforce, that will spend their wages in this province. Instead of Alberta companies. How dare they try to inquire with politicians about policies, related to the average skilled local guy. Who’s with me right? Axman? Hart Guy? Anyone? No?
Who’s with me right? Axman?
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Huh? If a firm from BC wanted the jobs they should have submitted a competitive bid. We can’t go around giving people jobs based on where they live.
My biggest concern with government funded work is this lowest bid nonsense that is so prevalent. The price should only be a part of what goes into the final decision.
I have nothing against a private sector union; having been a member of one for almost a decade I can attest to the fact they did a lot of good work and were -for the most part- realistic in their thinking. Unlike public sector unions who regard the taxpayers with disdain.
Nicely played Axman!
There’d be a ton of dues paying 115 hands shrieking if our new left wing neighbor introduced “Albertans First”. As pipeliners and roadbuilders they are stars and I always wondered if they weren’t a division of the Social Credit party or was it the other way round…
axman, good points. It is of my opinion, being a contractor. If your qualified, and bondable to do the work. It should go to the lowest qualified bidders. Regardless of being union or non union.
It is of my opinion that in order for non-union companies to get quality men, they have to pay competitive wages. The only difference is the contractor is not paying the union dues. This is a huge sum of money, where the worker actually get very little benefit out of it.
What do the unions do with this money, a lot of mismanaged investments, where the life long members see their pensions being cut by 25 -50%, because the rate is unsustainable. Shame on the unions for being such idiots on the livelyhoods of their members.
if the project does not go thru 115, the members will still be working on the site, they will receive competitive rates. They may even make more than, if they were working under the union umbrella. The contractors coming from Alberta, Newfoundland, or Spain. they still are going to hire local resident workers. A handful of project managers and administrators will be from Head office.
He Spoke. Show me somewhere that it says IUOE pensions have been cut. I’m sure if that if unions disappeared tomorrow that you as a contractor, would continue paying high wages out of the goodness of your heart.
It has been on the news that the most of the workers at site C are not from BC at all but Alberta and points east.
considering all the i’s are not dotted nor are the T’s all crossed yet the government is gong ahead with this
joys of having a majority government and being able to do as you like with impunity and no fear of repercussions except maybe being voted out of power and by then, it will be too late.
He spoke with a score of 0
It is of my opinion that in order for non-union companies to get quality men, they have to pay competitive wages. The only difference is the contractor is not paying the union dues. This is a huge sum of money, where the worker actually get very little benefit out of it.
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Where did you get information that any employer or contractor pays for union dues of its employees? The union dues collected by any union is paid 100% by the employee.
I agree with sqrlly. If this is what a province would look like where we can not employ our own people first, unions will gain power with the support of many.
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett “that they had no intention of trying to mandate British Columbians to be prioritized for these projects. HuH
I guess my priority will not be to mark an x beside liberal if they don’t have my best interest at heart.
This project still has to clear all the First Nations court challenges…it’s irresponsible to be spending millions on a project that may never be approved, and shows an obvious disregard for First Nations by the government of BC. Shame on the BC Liberals. …….
BC workers for BC jobs period. Old Crow with her war bonnet on starting fires on all fronts is very very dangerous indeed. THE disdain for the BC TRADES PERSON is frightening to say the least. Maybe the LIBERALS care more about our neighbours economy than our own? ONCE the money leaves BC it wont come back. I know we can access the freedom of info act to actually see if BC bids were out to lunch……BUT I could not find any they have all been DELETED!
The entire bidding process is a joke.. It used to be a company would submit a bid for a job of the true cost of the job, now they put in a low bid to win, then half way through they start complaining about additional costs in materials , labour etc and asked for more money.. Hard to say no as they already have all their equipement and people there, the job is going along their plan etc.. The expense to send them packing and get the next bidder onsite isn’t worth it.. Then there is the old “cost plus” additions to the contract.. I deal with contractors fairly often and most are above board..but just like everywhere else there are slime balls.
Are Shari Green and Christy Clark related? One was deleted and one to go.
YOU know MS. CLARK doesn’t have to travel abroad with her son to learn the meaning of HUMILITY, when all she has to do is take little britches to the families of BC workers that have been DISPLACED by her and her party policies……THEN and only then will HAMISH learn the TRUE meaning of HUMILITY!
In a project this large and politically charged I do not think Hydro would act unilaterally with out input from their boss, the liberals.
AM, typically for every dollar that the worker pays towards their union dues and pension. The contribution the employer makes to the unions are in the range of $4-$5. If the worker works all year round, are they benefitting to the tune of $10,000.00 a year???
I know the carpenters and labourers union pensions were slashed in the last few decades.
Dont get me wrong, im not saying every job there needs to be a BC dude at any cost, just tired of hearing about the useless unions sucking tax payer teats. And i dont understand how you can be all for private unions but not public ones Axman.
So sqrlly, I can’t be with you on this one!
Over the years I have derived a pretty decent sized portion of my income from Alberta. Still have occasion to do this and I take every opportunity to bring those Alberta dollars back here to BC to support our BC economy! I have numerous friends and acquaintances that also live in BC but work in Alberta. Their paycheques come back here and are spent here!
Unfortunately, in my opinion, our higher taxes/fees/etc in BC might place a greater burden on our BC companies and this may be part of the reason for our unsuccessful bids. I suspect that our greater unionization might also play a part in driving up the costs of our bids.
I also suspect that the current Government in Alberta is hell-bent on destroying the Alberta advantage and this might result in Alberta companies no longer being able to underbid our BC companies to the degree that they have in the past!
Time will tell!
Posted on Friday, November 6, 2015 @ 10:10 AM by He spoke with a score of 2
AM, typically for every dollar that the worker pays towards their union dues and pension. The contribution the employer makes to the unions are in the range of $4-$5. If the worker works all year round, are they benefitting to the tune of $10,000.00 a year???
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Typically you don’t know what you are talking about he spoke.
Because unions get their funds only from their members, there are no divided loyalties. Unions stand up for their members – the people who pay all the bills. Yes, unions can cooperate with governments and employers, but where their members’ interests are at stake, unions side with their members. In no union is this more true than in UFCW Canada. For example, in order to protect its members’
Oops, that should have read “Sorry Sqrlly, I can’t be with you on this one”, no So Sqrlly!
By the way, have you ever been to Fort Mac? Lots and Lots and Lots of “Newfies’ there, earning a living and sending their paycheques back east to the Rock!
Tumbler Ridge, back in the day, also had lots of “Newfies” there, also sending their paycheques back east to the Rock!
I’m not saying that this is right or wrong, but it is what it is!
It seems to me that the unions operating in Tumbler back in the day, and the unions in Fort Mac were and are more than happy to collect dues from out of province “Newfies”! The unions does seem to care where the workers live and where their paycheques end up, as long as the union gets a cut!
Just my opinion!
Hart Guy with a score of 0
Over the years I have derived a pretty decent sized portion of my income from Alberta. Still have occasion to do this and I take every opportunity to bring those Alberta dollars back here to BC to support our BC economy! I have numerous friends and acquaintances that also live in BC but work in Alberta. Their paycheques come back here and are spent here!
I wont buy into your above statement. What you do is sell your products into Alberta. Apples and Oranges. But hey you managed to get your two cents in. LOL
Agree about BC workers. BUT non union people are in BC too. The union is always against non union. Non union people pay taxes ,own homes, have families ,etc . BC non union workers (including native) are people too and have just as much right to the jobs as other BC workers.
8, you are allowed to your opinion, I don’t agree with it.
Hey 8 , Did you know that 30,000 – 40,000 people from BC.
Were either working directly or in directly on Oil Sand projects.
Most were working in Alberta.
The other thing is that Oil Sands is private money.
Where as Site ” C ” is public money.
Logical One with a score of 0
I can not dispute the fact of your statement. Had the unemployment in Alberta been at 6.6% or higher I think the out of province workers may have declined. Alberta could not find enough workers 3 years ago but that picture has changed drastically today. That being said, the site C project should create stimulus for British Columbia first and by all means Alberta and the other provinces last. IMHO
He spoke
Mine is not an opinion!! Its a fact. Research union dues and get back to me. This is why I laugh at Hart Guy. He seems to think the BCTF dues are paid by the governments.
Thanks.
Hey score of zero, why is the Ontario government reimbursing the teachers union for 2.5 million for “negotiating costs”?
at 8, with scores of 0 and LESS THAN ZERO, do you have anything intelligent to add to the conversation, anything, anything at all?
Didn’t think so!
Hart Guy with a score of -0
You’re pretty sensitive today. God for bid someone stands up to you. You are not as smart as you think. We have not read many intelligent post from you ether other than you feel you contribute to our society more than most. mmm carry on!!
happy13, I’m not pretty sensitive today, or any other day for that matter! I’m ok with that!
For your information, I have one occasion suggested that I am no smarter than anyone else on this site and I’ve even stated that on occasion, just like pretty much everyone here on this site, I am capable of being wrong!
This is an opinion site and I am of this opinion that most of the time, opinion sites and radio call in shows are not much more than “the uninformed informing the uninformed”, haha!
And speaking of not being as smart as I think I am, you are aware that you posted above that my score is -0! I’m not sure, but I don’t think that “0” is a negative number, in mathematics, a negative number is a real number that is less than zero!
But I could be wrong!
He spoke, you are partially correct in the amounts contributed.
Generally those lopsided amounts paid by the employer are their contributions to the employees retirement.
I don’t know what planet you’re from, but I wouldn’t want to pay 100% of my retirement myself.
….or maybe your just one of those good ole working boys, working at the age of 75-80 because you have to. Maybe the employer didn’t offer any retirement plans when you were in your 30’s, but I’m damn sure that the same employer was farting through silk when it was time for their retirement.
$10,000 a year is pretty well what a tradesman needs to be putting away just to retire anyway.
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