News

70 Year Member, Bill Hunt, Receives His Pin

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At this year’s annual retirees recognition celebration two things were missing. First, Paddy Byrne, the Director of Training of the FTI, who normally serves as the Master of Ceremonies at the pin presentations, was away in Greece celebrating his wife’s 60th birthday. Second and more importantly, William (Bill) Hunt, our longest serving, continuous member of our Council, was unable to attend due to health issues.

Today both Bill and Paddy were able to get together along with Business Manager, David Holmes, to recognize an important milestone in our union’s history. Bill, at the fine old age of 98, was presented with his pin recognizing his over 70 years of continuous membership in our union. This is an amazing accomplishment and marks the first time ever our Council has handed out a 70 year pin.

Bill was very appreciative of the fact that Dave and Paddy took the time to travel out to Abbottsford in order to present Bill with his pin personally. However, Bill’s biggest smile of the day came when Paddy presented him with a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Paddy told Bill that he and Dave are looking forward to presenting Bill with his 71 year pin next year along with another bottle of wine, which of course elicited another big smile from Bill.

Congratulations again Bill from all of the Members of IUPAT DC 38.

Long Time Rep and DC 38 Santa in Poor Health

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(UPDATE)    Sadly, it is with our deepest regrets that we must inform you that our beloved friend and brother, Don Paton, has now passed away. We were informed this week by his daughter Laura, that Don succumbed to his illness on Monday evening. A memorial service is being planned for Don, sometime around the end of July. We will keep you posted as to the details once we receive them. Our sincerest condolences go out to Don’s entire family.

   We regret to inform you that long time Member of DC 38 and former Business Representative for Glazier’s Local 1527, Don Paton, is in failing health. Don, known to most of our members as “Santa Claus” at the annual DC 38 Children’s Christmas Party, is currently battling cancer and by all accounts, our beloved brother has very little time left with us.

Director of Training Paddy Byrne and Drywall Finishing Instructor, Kelvin Campbell, paid Don a visit at Abbottsford hospital yesterday in an effort to pick up Don’s spirits and to let him know his brothers and sisters at DC 38 have him at the forefront of our minds right now. The sad story here is that Don only recently lost his wife Patricia, who was our “Mrs. Claus” to this same terrible disease. Don was so consumed with looking after the love of his life in her final days that he never let anyone know the pain that he was suffering from and the extent to which the cancer in him was progressing.

Don is currently in room 3036 at Abbottsford Hospital, however there are plans to move Don into hospice as soon as possible.  Don would welcome anyone who would like to pay him a visit but please check with the union hall first as to the status of Don’s situation.

We wish Don and his family all the best in this time of sorrow and wish to express our love and gratitude for everything Don has done in the service of our union.

Speaking with Don yesterday, he told us that his fondest memories will always be of the union Christmas parties and the joy both he and his wife Patricia shared in spending time with all of the children and their parents. Don’s only regret was that Christmas wasn’t 365 days of the year.

Architectural Glass and Metal Technician Certification gets Technical Support from The FTI of BC

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Recently, 42 representatives from across the North American glazing industry met in Hanover Maryland, to develop written and practical exams for the Architectural Glass and Metal Technician Certification (AGMT). Mark Longmore, Head glazing Instructor and Coordinator for the FTI was invited along with Paddy Byrne, Director of Training for the FTI, who is also a glazier by trade, to lend their expertise and be part of this historic undertaking.

Driven by numerous recent glazing failures on some extremely large commercial projects throughout Canada and the United States, industry got together to figure out how to best to address this multi million dollar problem. In the end it was decided by all those connected to the industry such as glazing contractors, caulking suppliers, aluminium extrusion manufacturers, fabrication companies, architects, engineers, spec writers, insulated glass suppliers and especially the insurance underwriting community, that the glazing industry needed a major overhaul.

The overhaul started with a new certification process for glazing contractors which has already been developed by, Administrative Management Systems Inc. (AMS), a recognized leader in product compliance testing and certification in the glass industry, headquartered in New York state. This program is currently being implemented in several major cities in the United States and Canada. However, once that part of the concern was addressed, it was decided that there needed to be a program developed across North America to address the skills of the workers who install these highly complex glazing facades. Administrative Management Services Inc. has also been selected to develop the AGMT certification.

In Canada we have the Red Seal which is recognized across our country as the standard in the industry for trade worker certification. However, the Red Seal is a written exam with no hands on component to the test. This is where the AGMT certification hopes to establish itself as the gold standard in the industry. In addition to a 125 question written exam, there will be a practical component involving curtainwall, storefront and door installation along with a caulking and tooling mock-up. Not only will AGMT certified glaziers be tested on knowledge of their trade but they will also have to demonstrate their competency with the hands on skills connected to the trade.

Beta testing is expected to begin sometime in the fall and there has been a target set of 100 glaziers to go through the testing protocol before the end of the year as part of the ANSI accreditation process.

Please check out the video below which gives a  good overview of what this program will look like and why the industry is so excited about it.

Site C approved by the BC government

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The voice of B.C.’s unionized construction sector lauds the decision today by the B.C. NDP government to move forward with the Site C hydroelectric dam.

“We recognize this has been a difficult decision for the newly elected NDP government,” said Tom Sigurdson, executive director of the BC Building Trades (BCBT). “We respect and appreciate the many contributions from all sides of this issue because this was certainly not an easy choice. That said, completing the Site C dam remains the best choice for British Columbian families.”

He adds, “The time has come to turn this project around.”

Sigurdson hopes the government will put in place measures to increase the number of local workers hired, support apprenticeship opportunities on the project and create opportunities for First Nations and women.

The project has been plagued… (Continue Reading)

Construction Gap Could Bring Shipyard Layoffs

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Tradespeople at Seaspan’s North Vancouver shipyard are facing the possibility of major layoffs after the company announced that a gap in construction of new federal non-combat vessels is coming next year.

Butch Sidey, business agent for the Marine Shipbuilders Union local 506, which represents unionized workers at Seaspan, said a worst-case scenario would see “big layoffs [in] a year or a year and a half when there’s not going to be any work between ships.”

There are currently 600 tradespeople working at the yard.

Laid-off workers would be hunting for new jobs at a time of high demand for trades workers in B.C.’s construction sector.

If layoffs materialize, “it’s going to be… (continue reading)

Celebrating 20 Years of Members Supporting Members

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“Most DC38 construction members are aware of their Market Recovery (MR) deductions, and some grumble about this,” according to Dave Holmes, Business Manager of District Council 38.

“All too often though there is little recognition of the program’s benefits for both fellow members and our contractors,” he says.

The Market Recovery Fund was created on May 11, 1997, when in response to a shrinking contractor base and too many unemployed members, Painters voted at a special meeting to establish the program.

“At the time non-union competition was putting us out of business, quite literally,” says Holmes. “Our employers were losing their long term clients and the wage gaps, up to 50%, were making us uncompetitive. Our choices at the time were to either slash the Agreement or try to gain work through the implementation of Market Recovery”.

Don Bauer is a DC38 Painter in Victoria who says he has worked on as many as 40 or 50 Market Recovery jobs in the last twenty years.

“I was there for the 1997 vote with Brother Holmes and I voted in favour of setting up the fund,” says Don.

“I was seeing our market share dropping just about every day it seemed.  I think the fund has become very important to maintaining work for our members.”

“Sometimes I tell members who may grumble about their deduction that MR really amounts to a small payment towards buying yourself a job,” says Don.  “I think that’s a pretty smart investment in yourself and in the Union.”

In the 20 years since implementation of the Fund, the Union has:

  • seen the stabilization of its contractor base;
  • seen the ability to negotiate increases, depending on the marketplace and market conditions;
  • maintained the integrity of its Pension and Health & Welfare plans, ensuring that they’ve continued to provide excellent benefits to our members and their families throughout their careers and into retirement;
  • been able to elevate, and continue to promote, a high standard of skill in its chosen professions. The Union has done this in conjunction with the development of its training facility, the Finishing Trades Institute of BC.

Peter Wilson moved to BC from Toronto in 2008 when he joined the Union for work as a Commercial Painter.  He thinks that the MR program makes good sense.

“The last two jobs I have worked on were helped by market recovery contributions, and they kept four or five of us busy for a year-and-a-half,” he says.  “If I have to give a little to get a little so that I’m not sitting at home, I’m happy to contribute.”

An analysis of the 2016 results, for both the Painting Industry Advancement Fund (PIAF) and the Wall and Ceiling Industry Advancement Fund (WCIAF), shows that the programs generated 172,500 member hours, or the equivalent of 83 full-time jobs.

Those 172,500 additional hours generated just under $7 million in additional wages and benefits to DC38 members.

Given that the cost of the fund was about $530,000, Market Recovered projects resulted in a thirteen-to-one return on every dollar paid out.

Jim Ewing is a DC38 Lather with 42 years of experience and says one in every three jobs he has worked on in recent years is the result of MR support.

“Ninety-nine percent of our members only see the MR as a deduction, but it is essential if our contractors are going to compete with the non-union operators,” says Jim.

“And what doesn’t show up in the MR statistics is the additional jobs handed to us because we are on-site and the client gets to know us and likes our work.  A lot of that goes on,” he says.

Another member who benefitted from the WCIAF is Wayne Howatt who retired as a DC38 Lather last June.  “I do miss it a bit,” he says.

“Sometimes some of our members don’t see how tough it is to compete with the non-union sector.  Our benefit package is worth $5 an hour and when added to the wages it can mean a non-union Lather is being paid $25 an hour while we are at $40 — that’s a big difference,” says Wayne.

“I certainly saw the benefits of the MR first-hand, and I think it is essential if our contractors are going to be able to compete.”

“We all benefit.”

Business Manager, Holmes, agrees: “As the stats show, MR creates job opportunities for our brothers and sisters. I supported the program when it began, and I support the program now, knowing that my contribution benefits every single member who works in the craft.”

“In 1997, Painters made a choice to support their fellow Brothers and Sisters. Twenty years later, with the addition of the Lathers & Drywall Finishers, we continue to support each other.  A proud choice for a proud organization.”

FTI Expansion Featured in the Journal of Commerce

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The new 14,000-square-foot addition to the Finishing Trades Institute of B.C. (FTI), which now has 40,000 square feet of training space for tradespersons, will provide space for two growing training needs.

“Primarily, we saw a lot of work for industrial painting in the future and we had outgrown the facility we were in,” said Patrick Byrne, FTI director of training.

“There was also newer technology and equipment emerging.”

Industrial painters deal with range of large industrial structures. “These are the guys you see hanging off a bridge,” said Byrne. They area also the individuals who paint fuel tanks, apply linings for penstocks on dams, work on pipeline or, in confined spaces. Industrial painting is a component of becoming a Red Seal painter.

The other need was…  Read More

New Syrian Immigrants Become DC 38 Painting Apprentices

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This week we have had the pleasure of welcoming some special new apprentices to the DC 38 family.

Park and Derochie (Seaside), who is one of our largest Industrial Painting contractors, approached Painting Representative Justin Chapman, with a new and unique opportunity. Through the BC Alliance for Manufacturing, Park and Derochie (Seaside), was able to identify former citizens of Syria who had worked previously in construction trades in their former homeland. These individuals were presented as hard working, honest and reliable people who were looking for an opportunity to prove their worth and to make a new life for themselves in Canada.

Seven individuals, along with their interpreter, Manal Nour, have spent the past week receiving their safety certifications, as well some hands on training in paint prep, in advance of their starting with our contractor on Monday.

Both Safety Director Andrew Swan and Painting Representative Justin Chapman had some extremely positive things to say about the work ethic, and the ability to grasp information and retain it, that these individuals displayed. They also made mention of their gratitude, politeness and willingness to help one another with their assigned tasks.

While walking through our facility, one of the Syrian trainees got extremely excited when he saw our Drywall Finishing students at work. It turns out that he had worked as a Drywall Finisher in Syria for 15 years. Being a member of DC 38, he will have the opportunity to move to the Drywall program if he so chooses at a later date.

We will be exploring the possibility of bringing in additional Syrian workers in the coming weeks, as one of our Hazardous Materials Abatement Contractors, Enviro-Vac environmental, has also expressed an interest in giving these individuals an opportunity to work in the Hazmat field.

DC 38 and the Finishing Trades Institute of BC is proud to be involved in programs such as these. Apart from some language issues, we are certain that these new apprentices have all the tools necessary to succeed in our industries. We look forward to assisting more new immigrants in finding a better life here in Canada.

DC 38 Raises Funds for Research into Juvenile Diabetes

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Business Manager Dave Holmes A.K.A. Wayne Campbell and DOT Paddy Byrne A.K.A. Garth Algar.

 

At the recent CLRA golf tournament, Business Manager, Dave Holmes, and Director of Training, Paddy Byrne, assumed their alter-identities as Garth Algar and Wayne Campbell from, Wayne’s World, in order to raise funds for research into Juvenile Diabetes at UBC.

On a hot and sunny day which was perfect for golf, but less so to suit up in pads for hockey, Dave and Paddy asked golfers to take a turn matching their hockey skills against the formidable goal tending of Garth Algar.  Each golfer, for the cost of $10.00, had three chances to beat Garth and be entered into a Draw for a Brand New iPhone and Apple Watch. There was also a last place prize, dinner with Paddy and Dave!

At the end of the day $1,400.00 was raised, and apart from the numerous welts from hockey balls, (Garth wasn’t wearing upper body pads because of the heat) everyone seemed to enjoy the antics of our hockey playing heroes. Only 3 of the approximately 140 golfers were able to put all 3 of their shots behind Garth and he has the bruises to prove it.

Thanks to everyone at CLR for putting on a great tournament and special thanks to the Vancouver Golf Club for allowing us to put on this event at such a pristine golf course.

NABOC Osoyoos 2017

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Ray Natraoro makes pitch to NABOC on behalf of Stalkaya Environmental

 

At the recent NABOC Conference held June 27 to 29th in Osoyoos, our newest Hazardous Materials Abatement Contractor, Stalkaya Environmental, made its latest pitch to First Nations business representatives with regard to it’s services as a Hazardous Materials Contractor, and as a conduit to opportunities for apprenticeship for Aboriginal workers through DC 38 and the FTI of BC.

NABOC or the National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference, meets around the province of British Columbia in various communities in an effort to highlight and promote Aboriginal Business and opportunities for the public at large to become more aware of the great work being done by business people from First Nations communities.

Stayalka Environmental is a joint venture arrangement where Enviro-Vac Environmental has entered into a partnership with majority shareholder Ray Natraoro, who is from the Squamish First Nation. Ray was able to make a pitch, on behalf of Stalkaya, to over 200 business representatives from the Aboriginal community as well as others from a wide variety of backgrounds from all across Canada. Ray made the case that young people working for his company not only had the opportunity to make a good living with union wages and benefites as Hazmat Workers, but also had opportunities through Stalkaya’s partnership with our union, to receive Red Seal apprenticeship training in one of our 4 finishing trades, if they chose to go that route.

There were several impressive presentations made at the NABOC and Stalkaya’s story, as told by Ray, resonated as impressively as those who had already been in business for years. This was a great opportunity to network and bee seen and Stalkaya made a great first impression at the Conference.

Delegates to NABOC Osoyoos 2017 listen to a presentation from Stalkaya Environmental.