Winter 2016 - The Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and

Uniting Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers across Alberta
Partners in
Change
Winter 2016
Union workers are vital
to the construction of
the Sturgeon Refinery
TRADE SECRETS
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
hits the front lines at carpenter
training centres across Canada
LEGENDARY LIFE
Barrie Regan remembered for
his contributions to the Alberta
labour movement
Training
o
at ITC ptions
toolbox ; Tips for
es ; M
Journey eet the
man;
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Copyright ©2015 D E WALT. The following are examples of trademarks for one or more D E WALT power tools and accessories: the yellow and black color scheme;
the “D”-shaped air intake grill; the array of pyramids on the handgrip; the kit box configuration; and the array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.
* With respect to 20V MAX*, maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.
Executive Secretary Treasurer’s
REPORT
Remembering
Things That Count
Martyn A. Piper
W
ow! What a year.
It was marked by two elections
that resulted in complete changes
of government, both federally and provincially. The price of oil hit new lows that many
had never seen before, and the economy now
hangs in the balance. Yins and yangs actually
do happen: that’s physics. So the message
we should glean from this changing state of
affairs is to take nothing for granted in life, to
prepare for the unexpected and know tomorrow may just bring something very different
from today.
However, what does not change is those
people who are close to us. For this reason,
it’s important to appreciate family, partners,
sons and daughters, children, friends, colleagues, neighbours, Brothers and Sisters, not
just at this time of year but throughout. Know
that when you say goodbye it might be the
last time, so make it good. Take the time, and
do not regret that last couple of minutes with
someone. When illness or death suddenly hit
someone close to us, we invariably question
our sense of loyalty to one another or second-guess whether we could have gone that
extra mile for that person. But by then it’s
usually too late. As one gets older one starts
to value things and people like never before.
Material things matter less, and people and
relationships matter more.
I am getting to that age where some of my
old colleagues and friends are confronting
life’s challenges, and some simply don’t
4
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
make it. And then
all we have are the
memories. In 2015
we lost Bill Alton and
Barrie Regan – both
prominent members
of our union – and we
also lost a number
of other members,
all whom have given
great service to our
organization. As a
union, we pride ourselves on helping those in need, we step up to
help those who serve and we participate in the community to
support charities that are in need of help. Union people are some of
the most generous within our society and are quick to give a hand
to someone in need. We must take that sense of benevolence for one
another onto the jobsite and into the workplace, and tailor it into
effective relationships.
I appreciate we don’t get to choose who we work with in our teams
and on our crews, but all too often we allow the craziest of things to
cast a pall of negativity over a group, letting conflict and acrimony
dominate our day. Life is too short and there are always going to be
peaks and valleys, good days and bad days, but come on, is it worth it?
No, of course not.
So as we enter a new year, let’s take a moment to reflect, think
about things that matter in our lives, tolerate people’s differences,
have patience and hopefully your day will be a little less stressful. The
year 2016 is going to present some different challenges and pressures
for all of us. It is unlikely the economy will bounce back to its pre-2015
norms, so now, more than ever, think about the “what ifs,” think
about what really matters, and know that things will turn around at
some point because as surely as 2015 had its surprises, there are bound
to be more in 2016. Best of the season to all!
Contents
Undeliverable mail should be directed to ARCCAW 200-15210 123 Ave Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3 Email: [email protected] Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement # 40063788
PUBLISHED FOR
Alberta Regional Council of
Carpenters & Allied Workers
15210 – 123 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5V 0A3
Tel: (780) 474-8599 / Fax: (780) 474-8910
www.albertacarpenters.com
10 Refining Change
Sturgeon Refinery north of Edmonton
is taking shape and keeping carpenters
and scaffolders employed
By Shelley Williamson
PUBLISHED BY
Venture Publishing Inc.
10259 – 105 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1E3
Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276
Phone: (780) 990-0839
Fax: (780) 425-4921
www.venturepublishing.ca
PUBLISHER
Winter 16
FEATURES
15 A Life Remembered
Barry Regan was a leader for decades
in provincial union and labour
movements
By Kevan Regan
18
18 Prime Time
Ruth Kelly
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
connects with tradespeople at training
centres across Canada
ARCCAW EDITOR
Martyn A. Piper
EDITOR
20 2015 Christmas Party Recap
Shelley Williamson
ART DIRECTOR
28 Viva Las Vegas
Charles Burke
20
UBC’s International Training Center
offers hands-on training at a worldclass facility
By Brandi Thorne
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Andrew Wedman
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Betty Feniak
PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS
Brent Felzien, Brandon Hoover
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Colin Belliveau, Martin Dover, Kevan Regan,
Ted Remenda, Brandi Thorne, Willow White
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
AND ILLUSTRATORS
Jessica Fern-Facette, Buffy Goodman,
Evan Montgomery, Darryl Propp
VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES
DEPARTMENTS
4
Note from the Executive
Secretary Treasurer
By Martyn Piper
7
Site Lines
27
Anita McGillis
16 Safety Report
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Sue Timanson
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE
Kathy Kelley
23 Millwrights Report
By Ted Remenda
SALES ASSISTANT
Julia Ehli
24 Geared Up
Contents©2016byARCCAWInc.
Nopartofthispublicationshouldbereproduced
withoutwrittenpermission.
25 Kid Zone
26 Meet the Journeyman
27 Meet the Apprentice
Important Phone Numbers
Edmonton
FortMcMurray
Calgary
CarpentersTrainingCentre
CarpentersHealthandWelfare
CarpentersPension
IndustrialWorkers
MillwrightLocal1460
LocalUnion1325and2103Dispatch
780-471-3200
780-743-1442
403-283-0747
780-455-6532
780-477-9131
780-477-9131
403-283-0747
780-430-1460
1-888-944-0818
29 Training and Apprenticeship
Report
By Colin Belliveau
30 Parting Shot
31 Training & Events;
In Memoriam
10
ON THE COVER:
Local 1325 helping build the first refinery
in Canada since the ’80s
PHOTO: Darryl Propp
WINTER2016|HARDHAT5
Site Lines
News in Brief
A roundup of news and events
from around the region
Stretches for the Work Site
Head Drops (neck)
3. Hold for 15 seconds.
4. Return head to neutral position.
5. Repeat on the other side.
Tip: When tilting your head, move
ear directly towards your shoulder.
Tricep Stretch (back of upper
arms)
Chest Stretch (chest, front of
shoulders)
1. Start in a neutral standing position:
feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent,
shoulders back, chest up and back neutral.
2. Raise one arm overhead, reaching for the
ceiling.
3. Bend elbow and put arm down the back
with the palm flat against the back, using
your other hand to gently pull the elbow in to
increase the stretch.
4. Hold for 10 seconds.
5. Repeat on the other arm.
Tip: Keep your head up and chin in.
1. Start in a neutral standing position:
feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent,
shoulders back, chest up and back neutral.
2. Clasp hands behind your back.
3. Draw shoulder blades down and back. Lift
your hands away from the body to feel the
stretch at the front of the chest.
4. Hold for 10 seconds.
Tip: If clasping hands is uncomfortable, place
your hands on lower back, fingers down.
Source: United Brotherhood of Carpenters
1. Start in a neutral standing posture:
feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent,
shoulders back, chest up and back neutral.
2. Gently tilt head to one shoulder without
twisting your neck or raising your shoulder.
Show Me the Money
for financial assistance as they learn and hone their craft. You can
even get a tax deduction for your tools! Here are a few sources of
available funds:
Student Aid Alberta provides loans and grants to apprentices
registered in the Alberta apprenticeship program with apprenticeship and industry training who are attending an approved technical
training program as a full-time student.
As long as you are registered and progressing as an apprentice,
you will remain in interest-free status on your current and previous
Alberta student loans for the duration of your apprenticeship
program including technical training and on-the-job training. For
more information on loans for apprentices, visit Student Aid Alberta.
The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government
of Canada to help complete an apprenticeship in a designated Red
Seal trade. You can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per
period of technical training. The money will be available to you to help
with tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone
wages and to help support your family.
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash
grant of $1,000 per year, up to a maximum of $2,000. This grant helps
registered apprentices in designated Red Seal trades get started.
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable
cash grant of $2,000. This grant helps registered apprentices who
have completed their training to become certified journeypersons in
designated Red Seal trades.
The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC) is a
non-refundable tax credit for an employer that is equal to 10 per cent
of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in
respect of employment after May 1, 2006. The maximum credit an
employer can claim is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.
Source: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Apprentices in the building trades have opportunities
Canada Tradesperson’s Tool Deduction
Canada Revenue offers a tax benefit in the form of the Tradespersons’ Tools Deduction. Apprentices may be able to deduct the cost of
eligible tools bought to earn employment income as a tradesperson.
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
7
Site Lines
News in Brief
A roundup of news and events
from around the region
UBC Best in Safety Class
At one of the largest facilities in the Athabasca oilsands
on the morning of January 6, 2016, Safway and the membership of
the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers union achieved a
notable milestone: one million hours recorded injury-free on the
site. This follows a September 2015 milestone, marking three years
at the same site without so much as one recordable incident. These
are both incredibly remarkable achievements, even more impressive
when taking into consideration they were each marked in a harsh and
demanding natural environment.
I know that our customer, as well as Safway, holds the health and
safety of employees and your membership as a core value, and it
is a pleasure to be able to celebrate such milestones. As we have
discussed previously, Safway is the only union contractor providing
any maintenance services at the above site, and this achievement is a
testament to the hard work of all our organizations.
Our customer certainly sets the tone and facilitates the execution
of our scope in an environment that is designed to ensure the safety of
our craft and our customers’ personnel. It’s up to each organization to
capitalize on this environment and ensure we provide the most basic
right, that of a safe workplace for all those working in our craft and to
execute the work safely – every time.
I commend Safway’s site leadership and front-line supervision for
being passionate about the welfare of everyone in its care and control,
Build Your Leadership
Team in Vegas
Want to go to Vegas and learn how to build leadership?
Two classes are available this spring for signatory contractors to
attend at the International Training Center in Las Vegas.
The Collaborative Leadership: Building Jobsite Leaders program
is available to all supervisory personnel, including foremen, general
foremen, safety managers, project managers, estimators, superintendents, and company owners. While participants don’t need to
be United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) members, approval
is required from the district vice-president, general president and
executive secretary treasurer.
Transportation and room and board for this program will be
reimbursed by the CITF for UBC members who successfully complete
the program. Non-members’ transportation and room and board
costs will be reimbursed by the UBC. Available dates for the three-day
courses are May 6-8 and May 29-31 inclusive.
For more information, contact the Alberta Regional Council of
Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW)’s executive secretary
treasurer, Martyn Piper, at [email protected].
8
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
as well as their commitment to
loss-free operations and sustaining
the environment which fosters a
strong and sustainable safety culture
at all times.
With a work force that reaches
an excess of 350 workers at time, it
is obvious that the craft in this case
was not only embraced, but also
strengthened by a prevalent safety
culture. This is an easy thing to say
and perhaps even expect on any site,
but is much more difficult to achieve in practice. While working in
our respective crafts, we must always be committed to seeking out
and mitigating risk, delivering and receiving peer-to-peer intervention and taking the actions needed to complete each task properly.
Without that commitment, this one-million hour milestone would
simply not have been possible.
I thank you and your leadership for providing the best trained
and competent workers in the industry, and would like to personally
congratulate you on this accomplishment.
– Steve Wilson, President
Safway Services Canada
LU1325 Social Fee
Yearly charge $10
Reminder: Please check with the Local office to make sure
your social fees are up to date. The employer does not
deduct and remit this charge to the Local. Members must
pay directly!
Examples of social fee usage:
• Kids’ Christmas Party
• Summer Family Picnic
• Member Awards Dinner and Pin Presentation
Please contact the Local office for details on your account.
Edmonton (780) 471-3200
Fort McMurray (780) 743-1442
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Register
By Mail: UBCJA Carpenters Local 1325
Suite 133, 15210 – 123 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3
*Payment by cash, cheque or money order
Team name: __________________________
Player names: ________________________
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
In Person: At the Edmonton Carpenters’ Hall
(see address above)
*Payment by cash, cheque, debit or credit card
Team Contact name and number:
Participation is limited to 16 teams, so register soon.
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
10
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
Refining
CHANGE
The Sturgeon Refinery project northeast of
Edmonton is taking shape, keeping carpenters
and scaffolders employed
By SHELLEY WILLIAMSON
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
11
Victor Hanan
Tom Allison
Sean Felix
“Our instructors have actually gone to
the UBC International Training Center
in Vegas to set up scaffolding training
curriculum, in fact. It’s the Alberta
standard,” says Gord Hrycun.
12
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
PHOTO: NAME
Ryan Condon
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
13
Steve Gilson
Ryan Clarke
Leonard Misener
Everett Patterson
THE WHEEL DEAL
Bus Basics for the Sturgeon Refinery site:
In the interest of everyone’s safety, a bus system for the Sturgeon
Refinery site transports many employees to and from the area from
the Edmonton region as well as providing transportation on site.
82: The number of buses in operation.
2,300: The number of regular riders to and from work (out of the
3,600 workers currently on site).
7,100: The number of bus trips taken for a total of two million
kilometres on and off site.
$1 million: The estimated savings by workers by not using their
cars to travel to and from the site, based on a cost of running a
vehicle at .52 cents per kilometre.
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keyano.ca
NG
Supported by
T
A SKILLSE
THAT
MOVES
Barrie Regan Obituary
Legendary Life
Remembered
I
t is with deepest regrets that we announce the passing
of Barrie Regan, the beloved husband of Roxsane Regan, father to
three sons: Dolton (wife Connie), Rob and Kevan (wife Shayesteh),
a grandfather to three granddaughters (Brittney, Sydney and
Sierra) and a grandson (Colton). He passed away on Tuesday November
10, 2015, of cancer at Laurel House Hospice in Surrey, B.C.
Barrie was born and raised in the province of Alberta where he lived
all his life until retiring to White Rock, B.C. 10 years ago. Barrie made
many friends along the way and achieved a great deal of accomplishments throughout his life.
Barrie joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served until 1965, when
he was honorably discharged and he returned to Edmonton. Upon his
return, he looked to follow in his father’s footsteps by working in the
trades and being involved in unionism. His work in the trades began
with the Ironworkers Local 720. In 1969 he changed trades and started
his apprenticeship as a carpenter and joined the Carpenters Local 1325.
Barrie completed his Red Seal Journeyman status at NAIT and his
career as a journeyman carpenter began.
Barrie and his family moved from Edmonton to the village of Alberta
Beach at Lac St. Anne in 1970. Shortly after moving, the family lost
everything in a house fire. He worked with the community to help build
a volunteer fire department, where he served as deputy fire chief. Barrie
also became involved in local community activities to ensure his kids
had things to do. He founded the Scout troop at Alberta Beach and aided
in fundraising to take the Scouts to the Alberta Jamboree in 1976. He
also worked as an assistant baseball coach.
In the fall of 1976, Barrie and his family moved to Lloydminster.
He continued to be involved in the local community and the Scouting
movement. Barrie was a Scout Master and worked with the local Scout
troop to raise funds for Scout outings and equipment. He worked with
different companies within the community to raise enough funds to
take 10 boys to the Canadian Jamboree in Prince Edward Island in
1977. Before leaving Lloydminster, Barrie attended the Wood-badge
Conference for Scouting with 161 other attendees, where he attained his
Wood-badge level in Scouting.
Barrie left Lloydminster in 1978, and lived and worked in both
Calgary and Edmonton until setting up roots in Edmonton in 1984. As
usual for Barrie, he continued to be involved with his community and
the union. He began volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation (JDRF) on behalf of Carpenters Local 1325 in 1985. He
volunteered with DADS Day, bingo events and walk-a-thons for JDRF.
As Barrie’s kids were all grown up, he devoted a lot of his spare time to
JDRF, the carpenters union, Edmonton and District Labour Council, the
apprenticeship board and the labour movement.
Barrie’s work with union and the labour movements continued. He
served as the recording secretary for the Carpenters’ Local 1325 and did
so for many years. Barrie worked with the union as social committee
organizer and in doing so worked at ways to get the members together
with their families. Barrie helped in re-launching the annual Christmas
party and summer picnic for the members and their families. He organized the biannual pin presentations and was instrumental in organizing the 100th anniversary for Local 1325. For all his years of community
service, volunteerism, unionism and work with the labour movement,
Barrie received the Jim Shewchuk Award in 1999.
In 2000, Barrie organized the first annual golf tournament for Local
1325, to help bring together members of the local and to raise funds for
JDRF. The golf tournament was renamed in 2005, when Barrie retired,
to the Barrie Regan Annual Open Golf Tournament in honour of all the
work that he had done for the union.
Barrie and his wife Roxsane retired to White Rock, B.C. in 2005,
where he spent his mornings walking down at the ocean and his days
with his wife. They spent 10 years wintering in Arizona were he could
golf daily until the sunset.
Barrie was a leader in many ways, a boss, a friend, a community leader,
a union leader, a volunteer, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a
son and an uncle. He was a man that anyone could go to with anything.
But mostly he was a husband that was most proud of his wife and
his family.
He will be sadly missed by everyone who met him. Please send all
condolences to [email protected] –Kevan Regan
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
15
REPORT
Safety
Near Miss Reporting:
A Lesson Lost or Gained
W
hat is a near miss? A near miss is an event
which had the potential to cause injury and/or damage and/
or loss, but which was avoided by circumstances.
Whether there is no injury, a small bruise or scratch or a serious injury, the consequences of unsafe acts and conditions are like leaving something to chance. A ratio showing a relationship between the number of
near miss incidents and injury incidents reported shows that for around
every 15 near miss incidents, there may be one serious incident. In other
words, there are 15 missed opportunities to prevent an injury.
Hundreds of near misses can go unreported each month on a job site.
Many of you may not think of an incident as a near miss, but it is more
often human nature that keeps these lessons from being reported and
improving the safety system.
Reasons employees may not report near misses include:
• They do not want to be blamed for problems or mistakes they may or
may not have created.
• They do not want to create more work for themselves or others.
• They do not want to be perceived as someone who is a troublemaker or
careless worker.
It takes time to report a near miss and there are several reasons
people don’t do it. However, it is truly important for you report them. If
not, we lose a free lesson in incident prevention. The few minutes spent
reporting and investigating near miss incidents can help prevent similar
incidents, and/or severe injuries. The difference between a near miss and
an incident is typically a fraction of an inch or a split second.
An ideal near miss event reporting system includes both
mandatory (for incidents with high loss potential) and voluntary,
non-punitive reporting by witnesses. A key to any near miss report
is the “lesson learned.” Near miss reporters can describe what they
observed of the beginning of the event and the factors that prevented
loss from occurring.
Some of the more common voluntary systems used on sites are observation cards or hazard IDs. These are tools used to correct a situation
before it develops into a more serious situation. These should be used
as a no-blame or no-fault identifier, otherwise the program may not be
followed for fear of being that troublemaker. Once these cards or forms
are completed, it is vital that they are followed up on in a timely fashion.
Near miss reports, because they are a free lesson tool, should be
used at morning or weekly toolbox meetings, so the message gets out
to all workers and helps prevent future types of incidents.
16
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
Ryan Swann
Safety Coordinator (NCSO)
EllisDon Construction Services Inc.
Cash prize of $5,500 to winner plus other awesome stuff
In celebration of Armour Equipment’s 55th anniversary, we are holding a first of
its kind scaffold art design competition strictly for members of Locals 2103 & 1325.
We know you’re out there telling your buddies you’re the best, now prove it!
Visit our website (www.armourscaffold.ca) for more details and registration.
Prime Time
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rolled up his sleeves and sported
safety gear as he met with some of the key players in the building
trades from east to west at training centres from east to west.
Trudeau took time out of his busy schedule to tour the Ontario
College of Carpenters Training Centre and the British Columbia
Regional Council of Carpenters Training Centre before the election.
Here are a few highlights of his visits.
18
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
19
’Tis the Season
LOCAL 2103
PHOTOS: DARRYL PROPP
Kids of all ages were treated to refreshments, a visit with Santa and a
chance to get up close and personal with their favourite reptiles at the
annual Local 2103 Christmas party on November 15. Once again held
at the Executive Royal Hotel, a good time was had by all.
20
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
LOCAL 1325
PHOTOS: DARRYL PROPP
The Balloon Doctor was in the house along with Santa Claus, a handful
of creepy crawlers and a magician for Local 1325’s annual holiday party,
this year held at a new venue, the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Kids under
12 also came away from the December 6 festivities with a gift from
Santa himself.
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
21
LOCAL 1460
The Double Tree by Hilton hotel played host to the annual Local 1460
Christmas party for members and their families. Holiday goodies, a
balloon artist, face painting, a visit from St. Nick himself were highlights of the November 29 affair.
22
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
Local 1460 Millwrights
Walk the Walk
Making toolbox talks and pre-job assessments a daily
component can mitigate work site hazards
A
short safety meeting before the start of shift is generally
referred to as a “Toolbox Talk.” Attendees review the site shift activities and
discuss safe work practices – a crucial part of every day. Corporate management, site management and your union all encourage group participation. A pre-job
assessment card is used by many sites to list individual tasks and ways that millwrights can mitigate any associated hazard. Laypeople may envy what we get paid to
complete these cards, but the discussion surrounding the card contents ensures each
worker’s day is productive, safe and with an end goal being zero safety incidents.
This toolbox talk focuses on the tools of your livelihood. Costing members
approximately $3,200, this investment can deliver a huge return, as well as reducing contractor capital costs and wait times at tool cribs.
The recent collective agreement has eliminated some of the larger, heavier
tools. The full collective agreement and a current tool list can be found on the
website at albertamillwrights.com/members/document-centre. In order for
job stewards to receive or release your tools on a work site, it’s a good idea to have
them itemized on a list in your toolbox.
Here are a few don’ts for your tools, which have been reported as deficiencies
on some job sites, which the membership as a whole finds unprofessional and
embarrassing:
• Tools in plastic shopping bags and canvas pouches;
• Tools of questionable quality (purchased from low-end suppliers);
• Tools and toolboxes covered in rust;
• Tool sets with missing pieces or required tools;
• Toolboxes shared by multiple members; and
• Tools being left abandoned by members on site.
Ted Remenda,
Senior Business Representative
Local 1460 Millwrights
Tips for tool professionalism:
• Arrive to the job site prepared with two tool boxes in hand. Heavy tools should
be stowed in one tool box and smaller, precise tools in another.
• Members’ names should appear on toolboxes, which should also be locked or
have the ability to lock.
• Tools should always be stored in a warm place to prevent rusting and worn tools
should be replaced regularly. These tools are how you make your livelihood and
should demonstrate pride of ownership.
• When contractors pay initial and terminal travel rates and the use of your tools
is required, you are paid a tool travel allowance of 18 cents/kilometre. Strongly
consider using these funds to purchase new tools or replace worn ones.
• When working maintenance, treat tools respectfully. Carelessly damaging a
client’s tools is not acceptable and could affect a member’s future employability
with that client.
• Your most valuable tools are your accreditation in this Red Seal trade and maintaining a positive professional attitude on and off the job site. So be sure and
maintain a set of tools you can be proud of.
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
23
Geared Up
By MARTIN DOVER
Work Smarter, Not Harder
TETHER YOUR TOOLS
Whether you’re transferring a tool from one hand to the
other or to another person, there’s always a risk of dropping
that tool. In many environments, such as working at heights or
around heavy machinery, this can pose a safety hazard. That’s
where the Proto SkyHook Tether and Transfer System comes
in. As part of a new line of industrial tethered tools and accessories, the system features next generation safety technology
that allows workers to securely transfer their tools.
The tool tethering system consists of a wrist strap,
SkyDock and SkyHook. The SkyDock attaches to the wrist
strap (or it can be fastened to a tool belt, tool bag or other
accessory) and the tool (up to six pounds) is then attached
via the SkyHook. With only a short lanyard from wrist to hand,
it allows for natural tool use and free range of motion, and
if a tool is dropped, it only falls a short distance. The design
includes active attachments that are always engaged during
transfer from hand to hand, person to person, or hand to
holster. The SkyHook safety tether product line includes a
range of tether-ready Proto hand tools that are compatible
with the system, and there are also many retrofit kit options
that allow you to attach SkyHook tethers and mounting
points to your existing tools.
The Proto line is available through all existing Proto
Industrial distributors (Acklands Grainger and Amazon.ca sell
it across Canada) and retails anywhere from $65 and up for
one system that includes a wrist strap, SkyHook and SkyDock.
For more information, visit protoindustrial.com.
TEMPORARY TABLETOP
Ultra lightweight, portable and easy to assemble, the
Centipede Portable Work System makes it easy to set up
a temporary work table on the job site or even around the
home. With its unique steel frame design featuring multiple
steel struts that rest directly between the load and ground, it
can support a large amount of weight while preventing even
the thinnest sheet materials from sagging.
24
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
The work system is available in two
models: the Centipede Sawhorse
supports sheet lumber and table tops
with six struts over a two-by-four foot
area, is rated up to 1,500 pounds and
folds down to six inches by nine inches.
Plus, it weighs only 13 pounds. The
Centipede Support XL supports materials
with 15 struts over a four-by-eight foot area, is
rated up to 3,000 pounds and folds down to nine inches
by 14 inches. It weighs 32 pounds.
Each kit includes Quick Clamps to keep materials in place
and X-Cups that accommodate standard two-by-fours for
traditional sawhorse applications. The work system can be
dismantled in seconds without the need for tools, and can be
easily packed up into the included storage bag.
The work tables are available for purchase at Lowes Canada
and at select Home Hardware stores and are also available
online at lowes.ca and homehardware.ca. They retail for
approximately $79.99 for the Centipede Sawhorse and $129
for the Centipede Support XL. For more information, visit
centipedetool.com.
THE NEXT LEVEL
Stronger than steel and yet as light as plastic, carbon fibre
technology is found in such things as golf clubs, jetliners
and high-end bike frames. Now for the first time ever, it’s
being used in spirit levels. Dewalt’s 48-inch Carbon Fibre
Composite Level model DWHT43134 takes advantage of this
high-strength material, providing a sleek-looking level that
can withstand even the toughest job sites.
“The tough, high-strength composite material allows the
level to absorb impact and to spring back without permanent
deformation and loss of accuracy,” says Dewalt in a press
release. Its box beam construction, acrylic vials and water
resistance give it additional strength. Users will appreciate
that the end caps are slim and flush to the sides so it’s possible
to run lines all the way into the corners without loss of
accuracy. The level is said to be accurate to within 0.0005
inch per inch of length (the industry standard) and has two
hang holes for easy storage. It is available at Home Depot and
independent retailers across Canada for $119.99. For more
details, visit dewalt.com.
Kid Zone
Snow Days
Igloos are a type of shelter built from
blocks of snow in the shape of a dome. In a
traditional igloo, blocks are cut from the snow
and stacked up in a circle pattern, with the
blocks leaning inward and getting smaller as
you work your way up. Did you know that a
well-built igloo can stay between −7 °C and
16°C even when the temperature drops to
−45°C? That’s pretty warm!
Where does
a snowman keep
his money?
(Answer below)
Crossword Puzzle
Snow Maze
Find some snow-related words in this
wintry crossword puzzle.
Snow Maze: Find your way through the snowstorm to the igloo
Across
2 Downhill or cross-country,
this is a fun activity in the
winter
3 Do you wanna build a _____?
4 Wear one of these to keep
your neck warm
6 The season that comes
after winter
8 A warm winter drink
(two words)
9 Used for clearing snow
off sidewalks
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Down
8
9
A: In a snow bank!
1 Wear mittens to protect
your hands from this
2 These shoes are made for
walking in the snow
5 These are formed when
dripping water freezes
7 Popular Canadian winter
sport played on skates
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
25
Meet the Journeyman
By WILLOW WHITE
Finding Balance
A
love for woodworking runs in Jesse Christensen’s
family. In the 1920s, Christensen’s great-grandfather
worked in northern Quebec as a wood pattern-maker, a
trade which, in the modern day, is nearly extinct. During his childhood, Christensen regularly watched his uncle work in his antique
refurbishing shop. Now, Christensen carries on the family legacy.
He is a journeyman scaffolder who makes handmade furniture on
the side.
After graduating high school, Christensen used the skills he’d
picked up while assisting his uncle and began working in the
Ontario manufacturing industry. When he moved to Alberta, the
first job he took was in a cabinet shop. “I like to make furniture,” he
says. “That’s my favourite of all things.” Of course, handcrafting
wood furniture isn’t always the most lucrative trade, so Christensen
turned to scaffolding. He enjoys the money he makes, the schedule
which allows him to be home with his family and the time he has
to work on his hobbies. Working in scaffolding on a two-weeks-on
and two-weeks-off schedule allows Christensen to find the perfect
balance between his work and his passion.
“I don’t have to worry about the spectre
of looming layoffs or getting fired if I see
something inappropriate.”
PHOTO: JESSICA FERN FACETTE
Part of Local 2103, Christensen explains that while belonging
to a union can, at times, be bureaucratic, it also offers security and
protection: “I don’t have to worry about the spectre of looming
layoffs or getting fired if I see something inappropriate. I can bring
it up. And I’m covered, protected, as long as I’m doing my job.”
Christensen also explains that belonging to the union assures
equity among members. “Everybody gets paid the same, which
doesn’t always happen in industry as we well know,” he says.
Christensen adds another bonus: “I’ve got a good pension.” He
rests easy knowing that he has chosen a career that will provide
long-term stability for life. “In the long run it’s going to set my
family up fairly healthily,” he says.
In the future, Christensen plans on a career in scaffolding: “My
intention is to keep pursuing my trade. I have completed a Red
Seal. I will very shortly be a journeyman scaffolder.” Despite these
accomplishments, however, he isn’t finished with learning and
training. “The next step for me is to take my Blue Seal and my NCSO
and essentially any courses I can take,” he says. In the long term,
Christensen has even toyed with the idea of attending university to
study structural engineering. “You’ve got to have a goal,” he says.
JESSE CHRISTENSEN
26
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
Meet the Apprentice
By WILLOW WHITE
Labour of Love
A
fter coming to Canada in 2007, Shafe Mohammed
Abdulahi found himself looking for a labour job. He eventually took a position as a framer’s helper, not knowing
that it would eventually change the trajectory of his life. Now,
Abdulahi is halfway through his four-year carpentry apprenticeship and well on his way to a rewarding career in the trades.
The 28-year-old was born in Jijiga, Ethiopia, and had never
thought about carpentry as a vocation until he stumbled into
framing. “I didn’t actually do research on that field. I was just
looking for a random job,” he says. As it turned out, Abdulahi was
good at framing. “From then on I started liking the trade. I stuck
with it. I got my blue book. And ever since, it’s been good.”
“I’ll be a double-ticketed tradesperson.
Even though scaffolding isn’t all about
carpentry, there’s more to learn.”
PHOTO: JESSICA FERN FACETTE
Now, Abdulahi belongs to Local 1325 and is quick to acknowledge the role the union has played in fostering his career. “The
union is definitely helping me out a lot,” he says. He credits his
local with getting him access to training and valuable work
experience. “The whole experience just pretty much gets better when
you join the union. I’m taking all the courses that I need instead of
actually going to NAIT or some other college. I’m saving money and
taking courses,” he says. Abdulahi has enjoyed the training he has
undertaken at the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre in Edmonton.
“They’ve been all good. Everything about it was really good,” he says.
While many carpentry apprentices alternate a semester of school
with a season of work, Abdulahi is now completing two semesters
of training in a row, with plans to work on a job site this spring and
summer. Now that he has found a career he loves, he won’t be slowing
down any time soon.
In the next five years, Abdulahi hopes to finish his carpentry
apprenticeship and complete the scaffolding upgrade as well. This
will provide him with an even broader employment range. “I’ll be a
double-ticketed tradesperson,” he says. “Even though scaffolding
isn’t all about carpentry, there’s more to learn. And that’s pretty
good.” Though it will mean a lot of time, both working and studying,
Abdulahi isn’t backing down from the challenge and is excited for
what the future holds. “You could do it the other way around too, but
it’s not going to be as easy if you don’t do the carpentry first. It seems
like the more advantageous way of going,” he says.
SHAFE MOHAMMED ABDULAHI
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
27
on the level
VIVA
LAS VEGAS
UBC’s International Training Center offers
hands-on trades training at a world-class facility
By BRANDI THORNE
D
id you know that in 2015 more than 10,000 members
will have been trained through the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters (UBC)’s department of education and training?
A large part of this training happens at the International Training
Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Members travel to the sprawling
one-million-square-foot campus and training facility to participate
in transformational leadership, communication and mentoring programs. We, the Alberta Regional Council Sisters in the Brotherhood,
believe these programs model behaviour and performance skills that
will make us all better professionals. We encourage all members and
our Sisters to enrol and take advantage of these opportunities.
Our workforce is changing and becoming more diverse. New
members are looking for opportunities and we must be prepared
to support them. General vice-president Doug Baines said, “We’ve
got to treat our younger members like gold.” The success of our
organization depends on each of us stepping up and helping each
other. General president Douglas J. McCarron says these programs
will train our members “to help raise the game of every Brother and
Sister around them.” The UBC leadership envisions a constructive
culture where our professionalism, productivity, and attitudes win
market share.
New members are looking for opportunities
and we must be prepared to support them.
The Alberta Regional Council’s Sisters in the Brotherhood knows
how important it is for our Sisters to participate in these programs.
As the workforce changes, we as Sisters need to be prepared for
what comes. It is very important to have women mentors and
role models. We need the training to be ready to step up. Contact
Martyn Piper, ARCCAW’s executive secretary treasurer at
[email protected] or carpenters.org to enrol.
But remember, you will need a valid Canadian passport for entry
into the United States.
28
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
HIGHER LEARNING
Third-year apprentices: Helping build our industries
Apprentices learn how professionalism, productivity, skill and
attitude contribute to their success, and to the success of the
contractors who employ them. They gain a greater understanding of the UBC and the industries we serve, and the important
role they play for both.
UBC journeymen: Forming leadership for a stronger future
Journeymen develop leadership, mentoring, coaching and
communication skills; learn to engage with newer members; and
lead by example, all while promoting positive work environments
and productivity on the job.
Mentor training: Strength in numbers
Participants learn to utilize their knowledge about the UBC,
the industry, the contractors with whom we are partnered and
the unique challenges of our job sites. This course strengthens
mentoring skills in order to help members be successful in
mentoring partnerships.
REPORT
Training and Apprenticeship
Introductions
and Thanks
T
o all of our readers of Hard Hat, allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Colin Belliveau and I am the acting director of training and
apprenticeship for the Alberta Carpenters Training Fund. During this
transitional period, I look forward to working with the membership, contractors and trustees to continue the good work that my predecessor Len Bryden
was doing.
For those who don’t know me, I have been an instructor at the Alberta
Carpenters Training Centre (ACTC) since June 2011. I have had the opportunity to teach a wide range of courses, including all levels of scaffolding, as well
as scaffolding journeyman
upgrader, the first two years
Looking forward, 2016
of carpentry, Trade Winds
promises to be an exciting
to Success (TWTS) and
year, with highlights including Industrial Technical Training
(ITT). So my instructional
two apprenticeship contests
background is diverse.
to be held right here
As this is my initial report
in Edmonton.
for the Hard Hat, I would like
to take this opportunity to
thank Len Bryden for everything he has done for the ACTC over the last 15
years, first as an instructor and then as the director of training and apprenticeship. He accomplished so much for the ACTC during his time here, and we all
wish him the best of luck in his new position in Atlantic Canada.
Looking forward, 2016 promises to be an exciting year, with highlights
including two apprenticeship contests to be held right here in Edmonton – the
provincial contest in June and nationals in August.
In May, ACTC will be an exhibitor at the 2016 Provincial Skills Canada
Competition, which will be held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. At the event we
will be working hard to promote the ACTC and our union trades by hosting the
Try-a-Trade booth, where attendees will get to have some hands-on experience
with what our trade professionals get to do on a daily basis.
In June, the Alberta Provincial Apprenticeship Competition will be held
at the ACTC. The winner of this contest will go on to compete as Alberta’s
representative at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners’ National
Apprenticeship Contest (NAC).
In August, the winner of each provincial competition throughout the country
will be competing at the NAC, which is slated for Fort Edmonton Park. The
event will include competitions in carpentry, millwrighting, ISM drywalling
and floorlaying. We are especially excited this year because, for the first time,
the NAC will also include a scaffolding competition. If anyone would like to
volunteer some time to help us host these events, please email or phone the
Colin Belliveau,
Director of Training and Apprenticeship
Alberta Carpenters Training Centre
[email protected]
training centre.
As always, the ACTC continues to provide
high-quality training courses for all our
members, and one of my goals is to continue
raising the bar on professionalism and producing tradespeople of the highest quality.
We continue offering all the same courses
as 2015, so keep checking our website as our
course schedule is updated frequently.
I look forward to a successful and productive 2016 and wish our readers all the best for
the New Year.
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
29
Parting Shot
Edmonton Ice District
With the quickly-rising Rogers Place (shown) as its anchor, Edmonton’s
$2.5-billion Ice District is already transforming the capital city’s downtown. When
complete, the entertainment mecca will include a 50,000-square-foot public plaza,
casino, VIP movie theatres, two LEED Gold office towers, a four-star luxury
hotel, high-end condominiums and scores of boutique shops and eateries.
30
HARDHAT | WINTER 2016
UPCOMING
Training + Events
MEETINGS
First Wednesday of each month:
Local 1235 meeting
Third Thursday of each month:
Local 2103 meeting
Fourth Tuesday of each month:
Local 1460 meeting
TRAINING
Alberta Carpenters Training Centre
The following is a sample of training courses
that are open for registration at the time of
publication of this edition of Hard Hat.
For full listing or more information on
training courses, visit abcarptc.ab.ca or phone
the Edmonton office at 780-455-6532 or toll-free
at 1-877-455-6532.
All courses are at the Edmonton location
unless otherwise indicated.
Aerial Work Platform:
March 14-15, 2016
April 12-13, 2016
April 18-19, 2016
Door Hardware Installation Course:
Apr 4, 2016 to Apr 8, 2016
Jun 20, 2016 to Jun 24, 2016
Forklift / Zoom Boom
(Power Industrial Truck Operator):
March 16-17, 2016
April 14-15, 2016
April 20-21, 2016
Scaffolding Level 1:
April 11-29, 2016
UBC Builders Level and Transit:
April 4-8, 2016
MILLWRIGHTS TRAINING CENTRE
Visit www.albertamillwrights.com
for a current listing of training courses available.
In Memoriam
ARCCAW notes with sorrow the
passing of the following members.
LOCAL 1325
Albert Potiuk
August 4, 2015
Age 84
Roderick Milligan
September 8, 2015
Age 58
Tony Summers
October 8, 2015
Age 62
Ermidio Buset
October 15 2015,
Age 61
Joseph DeYoung
October 25, 2015
Age 53
Barrie Regan
November 10, 2015
Age 73
Steven Horgan
November 21, 2015
Age 24
Dragan Kovarbasic
December 4, 2015
Age 61
Ricky Amero
Decemeber 16, 2015
Age 54
Richard Bourque
December 23, 2015
Age 57
Young White
January 12, 2016
Age 49
LOCAL 1460
George Semeniuk
October 16, 2015
Age 69
Howard Robinson
October 22, 2015
Age 68
LOCAL 2103
Bryan Head
July 29, 2015
Age 57
WINTER 2016 | HARDHAT
31
The STANLEY®
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© 2016 STANLEY Tools
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iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a
service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.
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