United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners
Local 1598, Victoria, British Columbia
Telephone: 250-383-8116
|
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners Telephone: 250-383-8116 |
Business Manager's Message |
... By Brother Wayne Cox |
Construction activity is slowing in some areas of Canada and in the U.S. but that’s not the case for British Columbia and Alberta. In Victoria we will continue to need many more carpenters, drywallers and apprentices for current and upcoming projects.
Farmer Construction will be starting the formwork for the Town & Country mall later this month in addition to their multi-phased projects at Dockside, Bayview and Aquattro. It is expected Farmer will need an additional 80 carpenters.
Campbell Construction is starting construction of a parkade for the casino in Colwood and they expect to start construction on an office building at Blanshard and Yates soon. We also expect Campbell will soon resume construction at the Radius. Campbell’s current projects are Chelsea, Waterfront Crescent, Cherry Bank, St. Michaels and townhouses on Millstream Road. Campbell could need 100 more carpenters.
If you know carpenters that aren’t in the Union or you know young workers wanting to learn a trade, send them our way. You will be doing them a favour to earn better wages and benefits and you will be helping yourself by contributing to build a stronger union.
The following wage rates and benefits are effective on all jobs May 1, 2008 for certified tradespersons.
| Date | Base Rate | Holiday Pay | Industry Funds | Benefits | RRSP | Total Package | |||||
| May 1, 2008 | $30.53 | + | 2.44 | + | .52 | + | 2.00 | + | 2.44 | = | $37.93 |
We have been advised by PBC that our premiums for Extended Health Benefits and Short Term Disability will be increased by 44% and 45% respectively. With respect to extended benefits seven claims represented 30% of the entire prescription drug costs of our plan.
Your Board of Trustees has determined that steps must be taken to ensure the viability of our Plan and accordingly have adopted a policy of requiring the use of “low cost alternatives” effective July 1, 2008.
Low Cost Alternative pricing takes place when there is a generic version, or lower cost alternative, of the drug prescribed to you by your doctor. In these cases, your plan only pays 80% of the less expensive amount, and you are responsible for the remainder. The purpose of LCA pricing is to help manage escalating drug costs. It benefits everyone by encouraging the use of less expensive drugs that are safe and effective.
Ask your pharmacist if a different drug is available: In most cases, the pharmacist will substitute a lower cost drug. However, if you’re still being charged for a more expensive drug, don’t be afraid to discuss this with your pharmacist. He/she can call your doctor and ask if they can give you the generic drug instead so you’re not out of pocket for the larger amount. In most cases, your doctor will agree and the pharmacist can make the change.
If your doctor believes there are specific reasons why you need to take the brand-name drug, they can apply on your behalf to PharmaCare for special authority. Your doctor has the application forms in his/her office. You will still have to pay the difference while at the pharmacy, but once PharmaCare approves the request, notifies your doctor and you notify PBC, any subsequent prescriptions/refills for the same drugs issued will be paid at 80%.
To view the list of low cost alternatives to replace a brand name drug go to: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharme/sa/criteria/genericbrandtable.html.
Enclosed with this quarterly meeting notice is a letter announcing the newly formed British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters. Our Local 1598 certifications for Victoria employers will not change and will remain with Local 1598.
The Labour Relations Board of B.C. rendered a decision dated March 14, 2008 confirming the certification for D. Robinson and Island Scaffold remains with the Brotherhood rather than Construction Maintenance and Allied Workers Bargaining Council (CMAW). CMAW is made up of the former carpenter locals that left the Brotherhood to affiliate with the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP).
The members employed by Robinson and Island will earn $1.00 per hour more on their paycheques than under CMAW. They will also enjoy MSP (B.C. Medical) in addition to extended benefits, have their group RRSP and pay less dues. This means carpenters working under the Brotherhood will earn approximately $3600 more than under a CMAW agreement which directs a large portion of their wages to shore up their pension plan.
Dispatches have slowed and we have experienced a few lay-offs recently. Rising costs are causing some developers to re-examine their projects more thoroughly before proceeding. We expect this is more a temporary pause rather than any real slow down. Both Farmer and Campbell have significant work and we anticipate we will continue to need more carpenters not less.
The following is the certified tradesperson rate effective May 1st as outlined in the Local 1598 Collective Agreement.
| Date | Base Rate | Holiday Pay | Industry Funds | Benefits | RRSP | Total Package | |||||
| May 1, 2008 | $30.53 | + | 2.44 | + | .52 | + | 2.00 | + | 2.44 | = | $37.93 |
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year. The grant is available to registered apprentices who successfully complete their first or second year of an apprenticeship program in a Red Seal trade.
You can apply for the grant if you have completed your in-school technical and on-the-job training for the first or second year of your apprenticeship. You have until June 30 of the subsequent calendar year to submit your application. For example, if you completed Level 1 in February 2007, you have until June 30, 2008 to apply.
You may download the application forms for the http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/apprenticeship/ or pick up forms at our office.
The Provincial Government provides assistance to apprentices in the form of tax credits.
The tax credits are:
Enhanced Credits: To encourage greater participation in trades training in respect to First Nations individuals or persons with disabilities, tax credits are 50% higher than they would otherwise receive. Eligible First Nations individuals are persons who hold Status Indian cards, and persons with disabilities are those eligible for the disability amount credit on their tax return. The tax credits are:
Remember to take advantage of these tax credits when you do your Income Tax Return!
There appears to be no end in sight for new projects and our signatory employers are turning down work for lack of skilled workers. Although we could view this as a positive situation for carpenters, our contractors would be better off and we as a union would be better off if more non-union carpenters joined us.
We have had some success. Our membership reached a milestone on October 31, 2007 by hitting 1,000. This growth has occurred from a low of 700 in May 2005. Gaining our own bargaining rights, establishing our own health and retirement plans and the robust construction activity are all contributing factors.
Most members know carpenters who are not in the Union. Urge them to join, better still bring them into our office to sign up. You will be doing them a favour to earn superior wages and benefits, and you will be doing yourself some good by strengthening our Union’s ability to gain future increases. Remember there are not many non-union carpenters currently receiving a $36.49 per hour package and our rate increases to $37.93 May 1, 2008.
We are attempting to arrange a three-day training/evaluation course through the Brotherhood to assist in the selection of organizers. The course is also useful to those individuals hired to be organizers by providing some training. To date about a half a dozen members have expressed an interest but the course is more effective with a larger group. If you think you might be interested, we encourage you to send us a brief bio/resume.
The formation of a Regional Council for Vancouver Island consisting of Locals 1598, Victoria and Local 527, Nanaimo will be accomplished before the end of this year. In the short term we hope to establish some union work for the Nanaimo members, in the longer term a Regional Council is the best way to strengthen and grow our Union in all areas of Vancouver Island.
Some members have received a “Statement of Benefits on Voluntary Termination from Active Membership” from the CWPP to provide portability of their pension benefit. A reminder is that the transfer deadline is December 15, 2007. Members wishing to transfer portability payouts to their CUMIS RRSP accounts should contact our office for transfer forms.
Apprentices receive Employment Insurance benefits while attending technical training. You will have to serve a two-week waiting period where benefits are not paid when attending Level 1, however, there is no waiting period for Levels 2,3 and 4. If you are scheduled for a class, Camosun College informs EI and EI mails you a package of instructions of how to apply for EI. If you are wait-listed and accepted into a class just prior to the start or if the class has already started, then you probably won’t receive the instruction package from EI. In that case come to our office, we have instruction packages.
Note: - The instruction package guides you through the process for making an on-line application for EI benefits which includes a 16 digit reference code for Camosun College. All applications for EI must be made on-line, paper applications are not possible.
We have Building Code Manuals for sale for apprentices. We were able to negotiate a wholesale price for the Manuals - $215 (including taxes). Other bookstores are charging $282.50.
Many members fall into arrears with their monthly membership dues. Currently members pay their dues at the office by cash, cheque or using the Interact machine downstairs or by mailing a cheque. Last year, we offered dues to be paid by Pre-Authorized Debit from your bank account. Many members have elected to pay their dues in this manner. If you wish to, we have forms in the office – bring a cheque marked “void” with you.
Announcements of new construction projects continue, increasing the need for more carpenters. Our membership is growing every month, up over 200 in the past two years. Our signatory employers are going to require more carpenters to complete the work they have secured and to take on new work. At the same time, non-union employers and out-of-town contractors such as PCL will be trying to secure a workforce.
Local 1598 members can protect the gains we have made in our wages and contribute to raising standards in the future by resisting offers to jump to employers who promise the appearance of higher wages. Remember the journeyman package is $36.49 and the foreman package is $41.60. Moreover, employers like Farmer and Campbell Construction have been around for over 50 years and they will continue doing business in Victoria long after the out-of-town contractors have gone.
If you know carpenters who are not in the Union, urge them to join. You will be doing them a favour to earn superior wages and benefits, and you will be doing yourself some good by strengthening your Union’s ability to gain future increases.
Campbell Construction has started the formwork for the 8 storey Cherry Bank condominium and a Concert Properties condominium on Waterfront Crescent in the Selkirk development. Campbell will be doing the formwork for the Radius 7 and 14 storey office building and 9 and 17 storey condominium project to start in November. Campbell will start another condominium at Sayward this fall and they have numerous other projects in the pipeline.
Farmer Construction’s Dockside, Bayview, and Aquatro projects consist of multiple buildings to be built over the next 5 to 10 years. The Juliett condominium is approaching street level and Farmer also has other projects to do in the future.
Seabreeze Construction (Leier) has most of their crew building the Strathmore condominium on Goldstream Avenue. Seabreeze has a project at Lakeside Village to start soon and possibly another condominium in Langford.
Dryco Systems is busy doing steel stud and drywall at UVIC, Chelsea, Bayview and the Railyards projects. Dryco’s workforce has increased from 15 in January to over 70 currently. Dryco also has other jobs to start.
Job Stewards have been elected on most jobs and we thank those members who accepted the position. Any member elected as a job steward should inform the Local 1598 office and the Union will inform the company. The goal of the Job Steward program is to enhance membership communication and involvement in our Union.
We continue to seek individuals interested in becoming union organizers. Local 1598 and Local 527 Nanaimo, through a Vancouver Island Council of Carpenters intend to hire two persons to organize carpenters in Victoria and Nanaimo.
The job requires the communication skills to speak carpenter to carpenter. The position also requires the ability to work outside of the normal hours of 8am to 5pm and the ability to work some days in Nanaimo.
If you think you might be interested, we encourage you to send us a brief bio/resume and a statement of up to 150 words on how you believe you could contribute to our Union. You may be required to attend a three-day evaluation program that the United Brotherhood has developed to assist in the selection of organizers.
Congratulations go to Andrew Brown who placed first at the 2007 Local 1598 Apprenticeship Contest held on Saturday, June 23rd. 
Andrew is employed by Campbell Construction and we wish him well when he competes against contestants from across Canada in the 2007 National Carpentry Apprenticeship Contest, August 17 & 18, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Local 1598 contest consisted of a two hour written exam and a 4½-hour practical that included a transit exercise. Judges were Matt Cottier, Reece Tibbitt and John Post. Pictures can be viewed on our website at www.victoriacarpenters.com.
Thanks go to Farmer Construction for providing their Keating X Road yard (complete with BBQ and all the fixins) where the practical was held. The first place prize was a Bosch reciprocating saw, Bosch radio/dvd player and a Local 1598 Jacket. Pieter John and Matt Powell received Bosch circular saws for 2nd and 3rd place. Local 1598 will be hosting the National Apprenticeship Contests and Canada Council Convention in September 2008.
Many members will be eligible for portability of their Carpentry Workers Pension Plan benefit this fall. We expect that the CWPP will send out portability statements in September or October. Local 1598 will be inviting representatives from CUMIS our RSP provider to a meeting in September to help explain how to exercise your portability option should you wish to do so. We will be sending out a notice for this special called meeting.
Construction activity is going to increase in 2007 and 2008. We will continue to need many more carpenters, drywallers and apprentices. Every new member who joins our union, contributes to raising standards for not just themselves, but for all carpenters. Experienced workers need to pass on their skills and knowledge to younger workers. In doing so we increase our productivity which strengthens our ability to achieve higher wages.
Enclosed with this meeting notice is a copy of our Local 1598 collective agreement for active construction members. If you have not received a copy and wish one, drop by the office. If you know a non-union carpenter who would like a copy, again you may pick up a copy at our office. Note the following wage rates and benefits are effective on all jobs May 1, 2007 and May 1, 2008 for certified tradespersons.
| Date | Base Rate | Holiday Pay | Industry Funds | Benefits | RRSP | Total Package | |||||
| May 1, 2007 | $29.33 | + | 2.35 | + | .52 | + | 1.95 | + | 2.35 | = | $36.49 |
| May 1, 2008 | $30.53 | + | 2.44 | + | .52 | + | 2.00 | + | 2.44 | = | $37.93 |
Most members who have a vested pension benefit with the Carpentry Workers Pension Plan (CWPP) will become eligible for portability of their pension benefit this year. Provincial pension legislation allows you to voluntarily terminate your active status if you have less than 350 employer-paid hours in a period of two consecutive Plan Years.
The CWPP Plan Year ends June 30th. In approximately September, eligible members will receive a “Statement of Benefits on Voluntary Termination from Active Membership” (in the pension plan).
Your statement from the CWPP will outline the options available to you.
Local 1598 will hold a special meeting in September for members and their spouses to better inform you of your options. We will invite a representative from our Group RRSP provider, CUMIS Retirement Services to attend. The CUMIS Representative will be able to explain the process for members wishing to transfer your CWPP benefit to a RRSP.
We will be holding our Local 1598 Apprenticeship Contest on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Farmer Construction warehouse/yard, 2220 Keating X Road from 8 a.m. – noon. Previous Local 1598 members have performed well in apprenticeship contests. This tradition of excellence has significantly contributed to pride in, and respect for our union.
Members are invited and apprentices are strongly encouraged to attend the contest to view the competition and enjoy a hot dog or hamburger, which will be provided. This is going to be a fun day.
The contestant who places first will represent Local 1598 in the 2007 National Carpentry Apprenticeship Contest, August 17 & 18 in Winnipeg.
Local 1598 will be hosting the 2008 National Apprenticeship Contest, September 6, 2008 at Ships Point in the Inner Harbour in conjunction with the Canada Council of Carpenters Convention to be held at the Empress Hotel.