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District 6
One dam project after another / Another banner year in Sparwood (July 2007)  One dam project after anotherBy Brian Lefevre, Member Representative Work in District 6 was expected to begin earlier in the year but, by year’s end, will likely be busier than last year. Fernie Contractors will have a good year again with residential site servicing for upwards of seven projects in the Columbia Valley. Members from all over the district are working on these projects. Dawson Construction will be busy as well. As a subcontractor to Flatiron, it will be paving the newly constructed portion of the Kicking Horse Canyon. The crew will also be paving near Lake Louise this summer for Arthon Construction. The Brilliant Dam project is winding down. It may be producing power now. This project went longer than expected but provided many hours of employment for Operating Engineers members in the West Kootenays. The Waneta Dam Expansion Project, covered by the Columbia Hydro Constructors’ Agreement, is worth over $400 million and will provide many hours of employment for our members. This project will be out for tender in the fall, with announcement of the award slated for the spring of 2008. Construction is supposed to commence soon after. Turning to H.M. Trimble and Sons, we recently ratified one-year agreements for the company drivers and the maintenance employees. All the Trimble Group’s agreements come up for renewal, beginning late this year: company drivers (Nov. 30), maintenance employees (March 30, 2008) and owner operators (March 30, 2008). Trimble employees, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming proposal meetings early this fall. Please ensure that all of your contact information is up to date on our dispatch system. There would be nothing worse than missing an opportunity because we don’t have your current information. Finally, there is an election for Benefits and Pension Plan Trustee under way (see Pg. 14). Please ensure that you exercise your democratic right by learning about the candidates and returning your ballot in a timely manner. Unlike the CLAC, the membership decides who directs the Local Union. Make sure you vote! Work safely.  Another banner year in SparwoodBy Gordon Chaisson, Member Representative Hello from the Sparwood office. This is looking to be another banner year for employment. We put on another retirement party for Line Creek Mine retirees. It was well attended and everyone had a good time. Line Creek has passed some safety milestones. Last year, the mine had gone two years without a lost time accident (LTA). Plant Operations went three years without an accident. This is almost unheard of in the mining sector. Unfortunately, this year has been ugly. So far, we have three LTAs. Not a great start. We have a number of arbitration cases lined up. These cost a lot of time, energy and money, and when a third party has to make a ruling on the issue, the award is a crap-shoot. In closing, please be safety smart at home, on vacation and at work. In solidarity. |
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