Tradeline Agreements

In today's dynamic marketplace, where the risk of losing market share is ever-present, the need to strengthen and align our union brothers and sisters is more crucial than ever. As skilled craftspeople, we depend on our leadership to initiate and uphold pre-job walks. It's imperative for unions to come to the table, address scope gaps, and solidify trade lines.

We must move beyond internal disputes and present a united front to our clients, demonstrating our collective strength and commitment to delivering outstanding work. This unity begins with a thorough understanding of our own trade lines and fostering relationships with our fellow local unions.

I am committed to continuing meetings with other local unions to resolve issues and promote a unified approach to our work.

Together, we can ensure that we not only maintain our market share but also enhance our reputation for excellence.

Training

As a united workforce, we take pride in our craft and the expertise we bring to it. Continual education and training are crucial for maintaining this high level of skill. I am committed to constantly improving our training programs and apprenticeships.

As experienced craft professionals, it's essential that we keep our skills sharp and actively nurture the next generation of mechanics. Given the diversity of our market, becoming an expert in every discipline is challenging, but through mutual support, we can bolster our membership and ensure prosperity for all.

I strongly advocate for enhancing our apprentice training, a critical component of our success. This training not only introduces our young craftspeople to the values of our great union but also serves as an excellent foundation for their careers.

With robust apprenticeships and on-the-job training provided by skilled professionals, we position ourselves for continued success. My focus will be on advancing our training to keep us at the forefront of our industry.

Market Share/Contractor Relations

As always, our union contractors are vital partners and should be treated accordingly. I recall a particularly impactful statement from a contractor who took pride in being part of a union. They emphasized that their successes and setbacks were intimately linked to their relationship with the local union workforce. When asked about their profession, they proudly said they promoted and sold union craftsmanship and labor.

Such a relationship is crucial for mutual success.

To further strengthen our bonds, it's essential to keep our journeyman and apprentices up-to-date with the latest practices and programs.
We are committed to holding our contractors accountable, ensuring they meet with us for collective contract negotiations.
It's also important for us to encourage them to competitively bid against non-union contractors.

When a union contractor places a bid, they assume full financial responsibility. Regardless of the bid's outcome, the contractor is obligated to provide our weekly paychecks for the work produced. Each bid we make carries with it a share of the market risk. The most effective way to mitigate this risk and inspire competitive bidding among our contractor partners is to maintain a higher standard than non-union counterparts. This involves conducting business professionally on job sites, showcasing our expertise, and adhering to demanding schedules. Maintaining these high standards ensures that we and our trade partners remain competitive, safeguarding our market share

Transparency & Accountability
(open door policy)

It is my intention to make our union more accessible to our members. I want everyone to understand that our staff are here to support and assist our membership. My goal is to ensure that anyone who visits the union hall will be able to meet with someone. Similarly, if you call, someone should answer the phone. While it may not always be possible to provide an immediate answer to a member, there must be accountability. We need to ensure that any issue raised is promptly directed to the right person for the quickest possible resolution

Community building for better morale and unity

It is my intention to help everyone feel comfortable within their own union. From Christmas parties, BBQs to pinning ceremonies and local union meetings, our job is to make everyone feel welcome. As stated in the oath we all took at the beginning of our union journey, we committed to helping our brothers and sisters procure work and, in short, be prosperous.

It takes people from all walks of life to make this great union work and stay strong. Now, we need to provide a platform where everyone can courteously express their thoughts or ideas without fear of being outcasted or shamed.

If a member is too intimidated to step up to the mic during a union meeting, then through the 'open doors' policy I plan to implement, there will be a way for everyone to be heard. We never know where or from whom the next great idea for our local will come.

Pension & Healthcare

Currently, our pension is of the defined contribution type. As the ratio of retirees to active members changes, along with fluctuations in hours worked, we as a union need to be cognizant of the impact on our pension.

My goal is to provide all necessary classes to educate our members about how our pension and healthcare systems operate.