Message re Teck Roaster, Union Security, Hiring, Exclusive Representatives of Management, Working Labour Day.

Video Message

To make sure we are on the same page for the upcoming work at Teck. This is a summary of our communication with Teck.

ARTICLE 4.00 EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATIONS

4.10 Foreperson

“A Foreperson shall be defined as a Journeyperson who is designated by the Employer to routinely issue orders and/or provide direction to Employees.”

We expect that any management representative will give their directions to the forepersons who will issue orders or provide direction to the journeypersons and apprentices.

ARTICLE 7.00- UNION DUES AND UNION REPRESENTATIVES

7.30 Union Representatives

“7.31 Union representatives, in the carrying out of their regular duties, shall be permitted access to a project during the meal period(s), but at any other time shall first be required to notify the Employer.”

“7.32 (a)Job Stewards shall be recognized on all projects and they shall not be discriminated against. The Union shall notify the Employer, in writing, of the name of the Job Steward and any subsequent change thereto.”

The current union representative for the job is Mike Barisoff.  Job stewards appointed by the union hall in writing.  Until job stewards are confirmed in writing Barisoff is the representative for the union on this job.

ARTICLE 10.00 -ANNUAL VACATION AND STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

10.30 Statutory Holidays

“10.32(c) No work shall be performed on Labour Day, except to save life or property.”

No member can be compelled to work on Labour Day nor can the employer ask the member to work or allow the member to work.  The union is the exclusive representative of the employees,  the employer cannot negotiate changes to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement directly with employees.

ARTICLE 11.00 – HIRING AND UNION SECURITY

11.12 Union Membership

“All Employees must be a member in good standing of the Union. Employees shall present a clearance slip to the Job Steward prior to commencement of work, and such clearance shall include confirmation of the Employee’s membership status.”

A member in good standing is a paid up member of IUBAC Local 2 BC and in good standing with their training commitments.  Their training commitments are integral in determining their status for hourly wage rate.  If a member has not completed their training obligations they may be dispatched to work after they have agreed to a course of action to complete the schooling to include registering for the next available course, beginning studies online, completing a level project to assess their skill at the trade.  The union will deal with dues arrears and incomplete training in the craft.

Any employee and union member working as a superintendent, manager or consultant is considered an exclusive representative of the employer.

Delivery of the workforce list more than one day in advance of a project keeps us ahead of status problems that would prevent an employee from going to work.  The list for the roaster start up crew only arrived this morning for a job that starts tomorrow.  In the future provide it sooner so there are no delays in commencement of the work.

ARTICLE 15.00-VARIANCE FROM MINIMUM STANDARDS

“Pursuant to the May 30, 2013 Mediation/Arbitration Decision issued by Mr. Vince Ready, Mediator/Arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Union and CLR, in writing, an Employee is not entitled to seek a benefit(s) (i.e. anything above and beyond the minimum standards provided for within this Agreement) from an Employer, and an Employer is not entitled to provide such a benefit(s) to an Employee.”

The union has in writing asked the CLR and contractors to pay 2X the regular straight time rate for all hours on a Saturday and for all overtime hours if the company agrees to do so. 

We affirm that we seek the additional benefit of double time (2X) on Saturdays for our members on this job.  Does Clayburn agree? 

ARTICLE 17.00- EXTENT OF AGREEMENT

17.40 Enabling

“17.41The Union Business Manager, in conjunction with Employers signatory to this Agreement, may determine, on a “project by project” and/or “blanket enabling” basis, if special dispensation is required to become competitive, and should the necessity arise, may, by mutual agreement, and in writing, amend or delete any terms or conditions of this Agreement for the duration of the project(s). If Clayburn is interested in altering some of the terms and conditions under this agreement they can reach out to the union to request a change to the terms and conditions. Feel free to call to discuss further or if you have any questions.”

Major “Hot Spot” in Kitimat-UNIFOR 2301 On Strike

UNIFOR 2301 is ON STRIKE against Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA). The “spot” is the RTA smelter site. The RTA Site is behind a LEGAL PICKET LINE that began at 12:01 A.M. Sunday July 25, 2021. Support our brothers and sisters at RTA. Any subcontracting work on the RTA site is behind a Picket Line, including the “tilt furnace” and “ABF”.

UNIFOR Updates Here.

The LNG Canada Site is not affected as of this moment but that may change. Currently there are travel paths to the LNG site that do not conflict with the UNIFOR Action. Stay informed. If you have any questions, call Geoff at 778-847-2472, mobile.

Office Coverage at Union Hall

Our Office Administrator is on Vacation this Week June 28 to July 2. Messages and email will be checked daily for urgent matters. If you need to contact us right away please call Geoff at 778-847-2472. Any job site questions call anytime on the cell. Thanks.

BC Building Trades Submission to WCB re Adding Diseases Caused By Communicable Viral Pathogens including COVID-19.

The BC Building trades has submitted policy recommendations to the Workers Compensation Board to INCLUDE Communicable Viral Pathogens on schedule 1 of the Workers Compensation Act. Schedule 1 is called “Presumption of Occupational Disease Related to Specific Process or Industry”. The goal is to have viral pathogens in particular COVID-19 on the list, so that workers who are infected from work will be compensated for the illness. Click HERE to see the letter.

Election Count Update

Election Results

Tally of ballots for July 3, 2020 BAC Local 2 BC election

Position of President

Geoff Higginson 114 votes – elected

Bill Martin 44 votes

Secretary Treasurer

Paolo Perozzo – elected by way of acclamation

Position of Vice-Chair

Robert Witt  103 votes – elected

Ira Maheu 74 votes – elected

Tony Sarangelo 71 votes – elected

Robert Tuzzi 68 votes

Island Chapter Chair

Jay Morrissey 12 votes – elected

Karl Jones 9 votes

45 spoiled ballots

___________________________________________________________

Please check the “nomination for local officers” below this post. The Election Committee has moved Election count day back to July 3 to give more time for travelling members out of town.

Office Hours

Our Office Administrator is back in the office. Back to normal office hours. If there is no answer at the office we are either out back or on the other line. Leave a message or if you need immediate assistance Please call 778-847-2472.

Geoff Higginson

Electronic Pay Details

One of our Contractors has been giving electronic statements to some members working for them and mailing statements to others based on whether they are “full time” or hired on a more job to job basis. The union has notified the CLRA and the Contractor that all members should be treated the same.

We will keep you informed. Please contact the hall if this has been a problem for you.