Good morning Brothers and Sisters,
All Evacuees of the Fort McMurray Wildfires need to register by calling the Red Cross at 1-888-350-6070, or on line at this following website:
http://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/how-we-help-canadians/red-cross-services/northern-alberta-wildfires-registration
This will ensure that Officials will know how to reach you and verify you got out safely.
(UPDATE FROM SUNCOR LABOUR RELATIONS 8PM THURSDAY)
As forest fires continue in Wood Buffalo, Suncor remains focused on the safety of the community and our employees and their families.
Our response has focused on a safe and orderly transport of non-essential and non-resident workers out of the region so that we could make room in our lodges for displaced residents and response-critical employees. We are continuing with this strategy giving priority to those with medical needs and families.
In discussions with the province, they’ve now asked that we move all non-essential personnel and displaced residents out of the region as soon as possible so emergency operations can focus all resources on the response efforts and other high level risks in the area. Highway 63 is currently closed and is a high risk transportation corridor, so in order to follow the province’s direction; we’ll be transporting people by air through the Firebag Aerodrome.
Non-essential personnel and displaced residents will be transported by bus to leave on flights from the Firebag Aerodrome. Planes are continuing to depart from the Aerodrome to either Edmonton or Calgary as determined by provincial authorities. There is not a current threat to our operations; however, we are closing some of our lodges as a precautionary measure.
We recognize that employees are concerned about job security. Once we know that everyone and the communities are safe and secure, we will focus on the return to normal operations and the support and logistics that employees and contractors need to return to work as soon as possible.
We will continue to assess the situation and provide regular updates through Facebook, Twitter, suncor.com and email bulletins.
For More Information:
Employees and family members should continue to follow instructions from local authorities.
For the most up to date information on the wild fire and evacuations, please visit:
Employees are encouraged to follow these accounts for updated information:
Evacuation Fact Sheet
May 5, 2016
All TRAVELLERS
In discussions with the province, they’ve now asked that we move all non-essential personnel and displaced residents out of the region as soon as possible so emergency operations can focus all resources on the response efforts and other high level risks in the area. Highway 63 is currently closed and is a high risk transportation corridor, so in order to follow the province’s direction; we’ll be transporting people by air through the Firebag Aerodrome.
Please take note of the following information as you arrive in Calgary or Edmonton.
Safety is our top priority so we will carry out a coordinated and staged evacuation. Over the next few days, we will be flying approximately four to five planes per hour out of the region to either Calgary or Edmonton.
As you leave for a Suncor flight out of Wood Buffalo, please do the following at your lodge:
BOARDING
What do they need to board?
ALL EVACUEES FROM SUNCOR SITES
Good day Brothers and Sisters
Syncrude is starting to evacuate people to Edmonton with flights and will be issuing layoffs and Records of Employment so that members can collect Employment Insurance. Noralta and Civio camps will be cleared of all Building Trades Members within the next 48 hours.
At this point there is no information on when the site will be returning people back to work. I understand that members are concerned about their vehicles and tools, however at this time we need to make sure that everyone is safe and we can focus on getting our possessions once it is safe to do so.
When I have further information I will post as soon as possible.
Good Morning All,
The following is information from the Government of Canada regarding special arrangements for EI for those directly affected by the fires in Fort McMurray.
Please share with anyone in your organization who this may help:
http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/ei/important_notice.page
Kind Regards,
Sophie Khorassani
Operations Lead
Alberta Council of Turnaround Industry
Maintenance Stakeholders (“ACTIMS”)
P.O. Box 76182
Calgary, Alberta T2Y 2Z9
Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters,
This Friday from 11am – 3pm, Local 110 in Edmonton (9335 – 47st) will be hosting a BBQ to raise funds for those impacted by the wildfires in Fort McMurray. Everyone is welcome, please come down to support your Brothers and Sisters in their time of need. Enjoy hamburgers and the infamous “Doug Dogs”, prepared by Agent Johnson as well as salads, chili and beverages for only $5.00!! A great way to spend your lunch hour!!
If anyone is interested in donating to the cause, but are unable attend the BBQ, we will be taking donations over the phone via credit card. Contact Veronique or Millie (780-426-2874).
If you have any questions regarding this event, please call Shannon or Amanda C. at the Edmonton Union Hall.
Let us unite as Brothers and Sisters of Local 110 and stand together for those in need.
In Solidarity
Brother Kevin Lecht
Good day Brothers and Sisters,
As many, if not all, of you already know, Fort McMurray is in a state of evacuation due to the massive wildfires that are ravaging the area. I believe that there isn't one of us who won't be affected in some way. Our Brothers and Sisters, our families, our friends, co-workers and staff are all struggling with devastating effects of these wildfires. Agent Casemore was asked to evacuate and spent most of the late afternoon trying to get out of Fort McMurray. He has just arrived, safe and sound, in St. Albert this morning.
We are already in the works of accessing the International Disaster Fund that will help to cover some of the costs incurred by those Members who are impacted by the fires. Initial assistance can be up to $1500.00 to cover costs such as food and lodging with appropriate documentation (make sure to have your proof of residence in Ft.McMurray and save all receipts!). Once personal damage is known, with proof of loss, additional funds can be provided. We will have more information on how to access these funds over the next few days.
Our thoughts are with those in Fort McMurray today and we hope that no fatalties or serious injuries will be reported as the fire continues to rage on. The effects of the fire are certainly overwhelming, but we must remember that 'things' can be replaced. The lives of our families, our Local 110 family and our friends are more important and must take precedence. I urge you to help as much as you can, in whatever way works for you. It is heartwarming to see the offers of homes, rooms, beds and land to assist our Brothers and Sisters who have been displaced as a result of these fires. Please consider making a donation to the Red Cross if you can. With fires still burning, it is a very real possibility that things may get worse before they get better. We need to stand together and rise above whatever challenges we face. Over the next few days, and for however long it takes, we will be working to give help to those who need it. There is a long road ahead, but we are commited to seeing our Brothers and SIsters through these hards times.
In Solidarity,
BM Kevin Lecht
On this April 28th Day of Mourning, Local 110 remembers our lost coworkers, friends and family. We have lost too many Brothers and Sisters to occupational disease across the years. Local 110 Members, Officers and Staff remind all workers to wear the required proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times to prevent occupational disease in the future.
Occupational disease related to our trade includes asbestosis, mesothelioma, silicosis, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and asbestos pleural disease. Traderelated occupational disease also includes carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis:repetitive motion, tendonitis: repetitive motion, hearing loss, dermatitis, and other disease.
Local 110 has a long history in the fight against occupational disease from safe work practice and PPE, to clean lunch and change rooms, to compensation defence, to the tissue bank, to the health programs and lifestyle initiatives at the membership funded WoW Centre. Local 110 Members are encouraged to check out the WoW Centre and to participate/register.
We support this important service to the membership it is helping many Members and families to document work history, identify health risks, take PFTs, and improve workplace safety for all.
Occupational disease prevention requires proper PPE.
Know the product safety risks. Read the WHMIS labels. Plan your work with lifetime safety in mind today's safe work plan will improve your health tomorrow. Wear a mask when handling insulation materials. Make sure the mask fits. Keep your work area as clean as possible. Reduce dust hazards. Wash up before meals and breaks. No coveralls in the lunchroom.
If you are not sure of the PPE requirements for a product ask check the MSDS.
All Local 110 Members and Workers should take occupational diseases seriously and wear the proper PPE.
Alberta OHS Law is clear 'Workplace health and safety is a shared responsibility between employers and workers' this includes lifetime safety to prevent occupational disease.
Use Your PPE Stop Occupational Disease
Good day Brothers and Sisters
Over the last few days the Local 110 officers have receive a number of calls, regarding possible job action being taken by members of some Building Trades Affiliates, due to the changes in the GPMA Collective Agreement.
The position of Local 110 is that we do not support any illegal work stoppage or strike, by any trade or union. To that end our Local expects our membership to continue to work on all construction and maintenance sites, where we have legal and binding Collective Agreement requiring us to do so.
I know from personal experience, this is a difficult situation for our membership and even harder for the traveler members working through our Local. In this case there are workers across the trades holding out that this is the “right thing to do” despite our legal obligations. We have individuals within our own membership that have the same view. However this is not the way to effect positive change on the job, in our union, or in the maintenance bargaining process.
If Local 110 members are involved with any illegal work stoppage or strike there will be serious financial repercussions for our union, due to damages being sought and won by contractors and clients through the Alberta Labour Board, for delay of project and production. In the case of large oil sands projects these damages could quickly move into the millions of dollars. For some unions these damages can be paid and the funds recovered over time from dues, fines, and assessments of their membership. Unfortunately with the financial situation of Local 110 this may not be an option.
As a final thought, I would like to remind us all that agreements are not bargained for jobs we don’t have. In these turbulent times all unions need to protect the projects we have, expand into new opportunities and prepare for the next round of negotiations.
Good day Brothers and Sisters
Our Local has been provided with an overtime explanation from the GPMC committee. This document will be provided, along with charts that were provided but would not transfer to the Local 110 web site, at the April 9, 2016 General Membership Meeting. Please see below.
Q & A Regarding New OT Structure— AB GPMA Agreements
Is the differentiation between Long Term Maintenance (LTM) and Short Term Maintenance (STM) something NEW?
NO. The Alberta GPMA Collective Agreements have always contained language allowing for a difference between LTM and STM and this has been used in the past in Alberta.
What is STM?
In accordance with Article 6.103 STM is work that is terminated within 30 available days of work.
How is overtime applied for LTM?
The changes to the agreement provide the employer the option to use up to twenty (20) hours of time and one half (1 ½ ) between Monday to Saturday for those engaged in LTM.
Sunday and Statutory Holidays remain as doubletime days.
If working 5 x 8 schedule the employer has the option to work up to an additional 4 hours per day Monday to Friday, and an additional 2 hours per day on a 4 x 10 schedule before doubletime would be applicable.
What happens when a LTM worker begins to work on a turnaround?
Once the conditions of Article 12.601 & 12.602 are met a LTM employee assigned to work on a major shutdown will receive the STM rate.
How is the LTM employee paid if he/she is not assigned to work on a major shutdown?
The LTM employee will continue to receive the LTM rate if not assigned to the shutdown.
How is a LTM employee compensated if required to work on the major turnaround for one week and then returned to work on LTM?
Provided the conditions in Article 12.601 and 12.602 are met a LTM employee would be compensated at the STM rate (and overtime structure) for one week and then returned to the LTM rate.
What is the net difference in hours earned between a LTM and a STM employee when working 50 hours during a work week?
Zero. Earned hours for both are sixty-five.
What is the net difference in hours earned between a LTM and a STM employee when working 40 regular hours during a work week and an additional twenty (20) hours of overtime?
The net difference in hours earned between LTM and STM employee is five (5) hours pay.
Do the changes on the overtime provisions for LTM employees have any implications for those working under the Alberta National Maintenance Agreement (NMA)?
NO. The NMA is a standalone agreement with its own terms and conditions.
Key Understandings:
•Short-Term Maintenance overtime provisions remain unchanged.
•The employer has the option to utilize a maximum of twenty (20) hours of overtime at the rate of timeand one half (1.5x) only on Long-Term Maintenance.
oTime and one-half may be paid up to four (4) hours Monday – Friday, or up to two (2) hours in a 4×10 scenario. Double-time for any hours worked thereafter.
oTime and one-half may be paid on Saturday up to a maximum of twelve (12) hours should therebe any unused hours remaining within the twenty (20) hour parameter of time and one halfduring the work week. Double-time for any hours worked thereafter.
oSundays and Statutory Holidays will be paid at double-time (2x).
•Any work week scenarios totalling 50 hours worked and less result in a parity between Short-TermMaintenance Rates and Long-Term Maintenance Rates.
•Any work week scenarios totalling above 50 hours worked result in a maximum differential of only five (5)hours between Short-Term Maintenance rates and Long-Term Maintenance rates.
oThis weekly differential will remain static regardless of the volume of craft hours being workedeach week. Therefore, the only difference between short-term maintenance and long-termmaintenance overtime provisions will be 5 hours paid plus the applicable vacation pay ONLY forthose work week scenarios having more than 50 hours worked.
Good day Brothers and Sisters
Over the last week there has been a lot of misinformation regarding the Alberta GPMA implementation. I will try to explain what has been happening and clear up as much confusion as possible.
At the April 9, 2016 General Membership Meeting we will try to answer any additional questions that the members may have.