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 Union principles stand us in good stead(October 2007) By Gary Kroeker, Business Manager Let me start by thanking the membership for supporting me and the other members of the Executive Board. This was an election year for all positions on the executive. For the second time in the history of our local union, the membership overwhelmingly supported the incumbent officers. We appreciate your confidence. So far, we have accomplished many of our goals. Organizing remains our Number 1 objective and we continue to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. We must put our collective efforts into this endeavour. This has been another great year in terms of work opportunities for our members. However, we have had several years of not being able to fill all employers’ requirements for skilled operators and other positions. Now is a great time for you to encourage skilled workers that you know to join our ranks and take advantage of working union. Referrals and recommendations for new members benefit everyone. They help the union grow, allow us to meet the needs of our signatory employers and provide new members with the same benefits you enjoy. Several Executive Board members attended this year’s convention of the B.C. Building and Construction Trades Council. One of the speakers was Jeff Grabelsky, director of Cornell University’s Construction Industry Program. We have taken many of his comments to heart. Grabelsky said the U.S. building trades’ “precipitous decline” in market share is due to corporate actions, economic and political factors and the fact that building trades are not self-critical enough. Lower market share has resulted in poorer construction wages. “Collective bargaining is reduced to collective begging,” he said. In B.C., the construction union market share has dropped over the last 10 years, to just 20%. He said bold, creative action is needed. “If you do what you’re doing a little better and a little harder, there will be no difference.” Grabelsky said we must not be fooled by the record hours being logged by our members. When the economy falls flat, as it surely will, cut-throat competition will fuel low-bidding. That type of ruthless market will also make organizing even more difficult. Organizing is always easier when times are good. We must increase our market share now. Global markets in labour and materials are forcing significant adaptation. Imported, prefabricated components and new integrated building materials and systems have simplified on-site production. Custom work is falling by the wayside. More dramatic changes are on the way as well. Many grey haired owners (and workers, too) see this boom as the home stretch. Retirements will soar. Then what? Have we convinced those who will be taking over management positions about the strategic and competitive advantages of union partnerships? We know some of the new owners will try to abandon their union contracts. They’ll fall for the allure of higher profits in the short term and will put aside their investment in their workers. Examples include Peter Kiewit Sons, Graehold, and others. Before corporate brainwashing takes them all, we have an opportunity now to educate future owners and workers. The international marketplace for construction labour pays just $1.25 per hour. We need to help foreign workers stand up for their rights. In addition, new and better partnerships with our unionized employers may provide another avenue for success. In the past, we’ve shown indifference or even reluctance to market union companies and our membership’s skills. Our industry doesn’t provide easy answers, but our skills and our ability to learn, adapt and grow are great strengths. No less important is our solidarity. Union principles of collaboration, planning and sacrificing for common goals built the labour movement. Our local unions wouldn’t be around today if our founders had stubbornly clung to outdated approaches or attitudes. They came together and gave the best of themselves for the good of everyone. We’re in that situation now. We must let go of the past in order to grow. It all comes down to organizing. Unionized construction benefits everyone: the public, workers, employers and our communities. It’s better for everyone when workers aren’t exploited, regulations are followed and corners aren’t cut. |
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