Open Letter to All Mechanical Insulators in Alberta

As we all know the face of our industry in Alberta has changed and will continue to change. The mega projects that have allowed for wage increases over the last 15 years have died down and we are moving toward a more Maintenance and Small Projects based industry. This is still a significant amount of work for Mechanical Insulators.

Over the last few months there has been a scary trend of middle class trades people taking roll backs in wages, benefits and working conditions. For some trades this could be necessary because of over inflated wage packages, a glutton of certified trades people or a global change where their skill set is no longer in the same demand as before.

These are not the problems of the Mechanical Insulator. Our wage package both Union and Non-Union have increased over the last 15 years, but not significantly when compared to the cost of living or in comparison with other Mechanical Insulators across Canada. As we all know there are not a lot of Mechanical Insulators in Alberta or even throughout North America and even fewer certified Mechanical Insulators. This is why we work with the same people job to job and contractor to contractor.

Lastly, our global work outlook – In 2016 a major US newspaper published the fifteen top industries for growth in the next ten years; Mechanical Insulator was number three. When we look at the changes coming with the Canadian Building Code, the requirements for insulation thickness have in most cases doubled from previous code. Additionally, industry has shifted from the “production at any cost mentality” to a savings approach that looks at issues like replacement costs for mechanical systems due to corrosion under insulation, and the changes to Green House Gas emission taxes and levies.  We are now seeing the business case for the correct mechanical insulation installed by skilled and trained Mechanical Insulators.

So what does this all mean? We are faced with three to five years of slow economic times. However, there will still be work. We as an industry, both Union and Non-Union, need to do what is right for our industry and not get dragged into a race to the bottom. Slashing wages will not create more work, it will only create smaller pay cheques. I ask that every Mechanical Insulator that lives in Alberta, or makes their living from this province, to take pride in your work and demand the wages, benefits and working conditions we deserve as professional Mechanical Insulators.

This won’t be easy, but we are all in this together, Non-Union and Union alike, we have to support our industry and move it forward as a career not just for ourselves, but for generations to come. Remember we are not just applying insulation; we are the only trade that pays for itself through reducing energy loss, reducing GHG’s and reducing maintenance costs through increased life expectancy of mechanical systems.

Our industry united will be able to fight through these difficult economic times and come out stronger on the other side.

In solidarity

Kevin Lecht

Business Manager Heat and Frost Insulators Local 110

Alberta Canada 

Good day Brothers and Sisters 

Over the last few years Local 110 has had members working for non-union companies as Salts. The objective of these members was to find educated, trained, certified mechanical insulators working for the non-union sector and convince these people to become members of Local 110. The reason for these activities was to help man the overwhelming amount of work that our signatory contractors had secured and grow our membership.

Early in 2016 it was obvious that the world of Oil was changing and that it was going to have a major impact on the work situation for the members of Local 110. With this change our objectives for Salting changed as well; Local 110 moved our focus from pulling people to the union side and started to focus on convincing companies to become unionized contractors.

With the change in the economy Local 110 is now looking to expand it's Salting efforts. To this end the Local 110 Client Contractor Liaison Brandon Hammond is available to meet with any members who are interested in working non-union as a Salt for Local 110. Brandon can be reached by phone at the Edmonton Union Hall (780) 426 2874. Members will be required to sign a Salting agreement and abide by the rules set out in the agreement.

This will not be an open pass to work non-union.  Members found working non-union without a signed Salting Agreement will be charged as per the International Constitution and Bylaws as well as the Local 110 Bylaws. Also there will be some contractors or projects that the Local will not sign a Salting Agreement for, such as NWR for Thomas. This project is majority Union insulation contractors and if this one non-union contractor cannot man the work with quality mechanical insulators the work scope will be move to one of our signatory contractors and result in more of our members working.

Salting is not an easy job, but it helps us control our market by not allowing non-union companies to build an alternative workforce. If our members can man these projects the end goal is to turn these companies into good signatory contractors for Local 110 and reduce the non-union workforce.

If any members have questions please contact Brandon at the Edmonton Union Office.

 

 

Local 110 is sad to announce that member, Delmar Hicks passed away on February 21, 2017. Brother Delmar had been a long time Member of Local 110 since March 1977.

In memory of Brother Delmar, donations can be made to your local Alzheimer Society.

Local 110 Officers, Staff and Members extend their deepest condolences to all of Brother Delmar's Family and Friends.

Local 110 is sad to announce that member, Timothy McIntyre passed away on February 21, 2017. Brother Timothy had been a long time Member of Local 110 since May 1971.

Family will update us with funeral arrangements once they are known.

Local 110 Officers, Staff and Members extend their deepest condolences to all of Brother Timothy's Family and Friends.

Name	Status	Recommendation	Meeting
BLACKBURN, Gary	1st year	Reject	R
CAMPBELL, Jessica	1st year	Accept	A
CANNON, Kelsi	1st year	Accept	A
CHAMPAGNE, Keith	1st year	Reject	A
GABLE, Kelsey	1st year	Accept	A
HEIGHTON, David	3rd  year	Accept	A
HODDINOT, Darcy	1st year	Reject	R
KELLER, Gary	1st year	Accept	A
KETCHUM, Philip	2nd year	Accept	A
KEY, Andy	1st year	Reject	R
LAZOWSKI, Tracey	1st year	Accept	A
MADAR, Hamza	2nd year	Reject	R
SPIELMANN, Alex	1st year	Reject	R
STAVER, Josh	1st year	Accept	A
DEVIN, Ryan	JM	Reject	R

 

Please take note of Local 110 Bylaws Section 19- all requirements of this section must be met before being issued membership in Local 110.

SECTION 19 –MEMBERSHIP

1. Any member who applies to join Local 110, if they are accepted, will pay an initiation fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00),plus membership card fee, excepting that:

Those members who lapse out of the union from October 23, 2004 and after, will pay an additional amount of money which equals the amount owed for union dues and fines at the time of lapsing, plus a $200.00 reinstatement fee, to reinstate their membership. This amount must be paid in full not more than 30 calendar days from the date of the vote of acceptance by the general membership. The insulator who fails to pay the full amount owing within this time will not be reinstated as a member and will have to reapply for membership.

2. Any individual that makes application to Local 110 and is rejected by vote of the membership.

• First rejection they will not be able to make new application for a minimum 3 calendar months.
• Second rejection they will not be able to make new application for a minimum of 6 calendar months.
• Third or more rejections they will not be able to make new application for a minimum of 12 calendar months.

3. All new members, including members who are transferring their membership to Local 110 must complete New Member Orientation within 180 days from the date they were voted into Local 110 or their membership is void and they will have to reapply for membership.

4. New member orientation will be held in Edmonton and Calgary once every month and in Red Deer and Fort McMurry once every two months.

5. Permit members and Travel Card members requesting membership will not receive their union card and Local 110 will not accept a transfer card, until after the member has taken the oath of membership referred to in the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Constitution at the New Member Orientation.

Business Manager Kevin Lecht will not be in attendance at tonight’s Information Meeting in Fort McMurray, due to the Fog Advisory Warning issued for the Province of Alberta. Which has delayed his plane until this evening at 10:00pm.

He sends his sincere apologies to those in attendance to this evening’s meeting.

Good day Brothers and Sisters

Once again this year the BTA is participating with the Edmonton Oil Kings for a Building Trades of Alberta Event. The goal of this event is to highlight the organization and all participating Local unions while ensuring all members and their families enjoy their experience at the game.

This year the Oil Kings will be taking on the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday February 12, 2017 at 4:00pm. As per the motion made at the general membership meeting, Local 110 has purchased a number of tickets for our members. These tickets can be picked up at the Edmonton union office 9335 – 47 street Edmonton Alberta.

All tickets not picked up by Monday February 6, 2017 will be donated to Kids Up Front Foundation. This group helps under privileged children attend sporting events in our area.

Local 110 is sad to announce that member, Guy Dortch passed away on January 17, 2017. Brother Guy had been a Member of Local 110 since February 2006. 

As per Brother Guy's wishes, there will be no memorial service. Donations in memory of Brother Guy Dortch can be made to the University Foundation. 

Local 110 Officers, Staff and Members extend their deepest condolences to all of Brother Guy's Family and Friends.

Local 110 is sad to announce that long time Member, Elmer Bethune passed away on January 14, 2017. Brother Elmer had been a Member of Local 110 since July 1964. 

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life for Elmer at the Cowichan Lake District Seniors Association in Lake Cowichan, B.C on Saturday May 6, 2017.

Local 110 Officers, Staff and Members extend their deepest condolences to all of Brother Elmer's Family and Friends.

Name	Status	Recommendation	Meeting
Abdi Aden, Bachir	1st year	Reject	A
Armstrong, Connor	1st year	Accept	A
Ballesteros, Pablo	1st year	Reject	R
Cieniawski, Wojciech	3rd year	Accept	A
Desmarais, John	1st year	Accept	A
Diop, Cheikh	1st year	Accept	A
Furrow, Reginald	1st year	Accept	A
Gesuale, K Dino	1st year	Accept	A
Lukusa, Mbuyi	1st year	Accept	A
McArthur, Kaleigh	1st year	Accept	A
McCartney, Robert	1st year	Reject	R
Sabanovs, Arturs	1st year	Accept	A
Soosay, Pamela	1st year	Accept	A
Teske, Adam	1st year	Accept	A
Vizzuso, Nicola	1st year	Accept	A
MacLellan, Dana	Red Seal Journeyman Transfer Local 131	Reject	R
Stone, Darryl	Brown Card Mechanic Transfer Local 137	Reject	R

 

Please take note of Local 110 Bylaws Section 19- all requirements of this section must be met before being issued membership in Local 110.

SECTION 19 –MEMBERSHIP

1. Any member who applies to join Local 110, if they are accepted, will pay an initiation fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00),plus membership card fee, excepting that:

Those members who lapse out of the union from October 23, 2004 and after, will pay an additional amount of money which equals the amount owed for union dues and fines at the time of lapsing, plus a $200.00 reinstatement fee, to reinstate their membership. This amount must be paid in full not more than 30 calendar days from the date of the vote of acceptance by the general membership. The insulator who fails to pay the full amount owing within this time will not be reinstated as a member and will have to reapply for membership.

2. Any individual that makes application to Local 110 and is rejected by vote of the membership.

• First rejection they will not be able to make new application for a minimum 3 calendar months.
• Second rejection they will not be able to make new application for a minimum of 6 calendar months.
• Third or more rejections they will not be able to make new application for a minimum of 12 calendar months.

3. All new members, including members who are transferring their membership to Local 110 must complete New Member Orientation within 180 days from the date they were voted into Local 110 or their membership is void and they will have to reapply for membership.

4. New member orientation will be held in Edmonton and Calgary once every month and in Red Deer and Fort McMurry once every two months.

5. Permit members and Travel Card members requesting membership will not receive their union card and Local 110 will not accept a transfer card, until after the member has taken the oath of membership referred to in the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Constitution at the New Member Orientation.