Good Day Brothers & Sister,

City councils resolution to oppose Energy East was defeated at last nights City Council meeting. This was replaced by a conditional resolution to support the project tabled by Councillor Angus. The fact based depositions presented to council helped sway at least one councillor to vote in favour of, not only a safer way to transport this commodity but what could turn out to be an excellent employment opportunity in the future.

To those who turned out to the meeting on that dreary Monday, I thank you. To those that did not I would stress that the debate is not over. Opposition is firmly entrenched and if opportunity presents itself they will surely make their voices heard. We must counter their views with an educated response so we can keep this project moving forward.

Fraternally,

Pat Dool, Business Manager

For those of you who have placed an order for hoodies and long sleeve shirts, they are ready to be picked up at the hall.

Hoodies

Medium, Large, XLarge – $49.00

2XLarge – $51.00

3XLarge – $52.00

4XLarge – $54.00

Long Sleeve T-Shirt – $31.00

(cash, cheque or e-transfer accepted)

Many of you are inquiring about the Rigging Course. We are hoping to be able to offer this course after the Medical Gas course at the end of June.

Local 628 will now be able to accept E-transfers for payment of union dues. Please call the union hall for details.

Please be advised that tax receipts will be going out shortly. For those of you who have not picked up your new union card they will be included along with a note on your dues status. This will serve as a final warning to those members in arrears. If you are 3 months in arrears you become a suspended member and we cannot dispatch you for work.

Pat Dool

Business Manager

As of April 1, 2017 the mandatory Working at Heights legislation comes into effect. There are approximately 16 of our members who require this training. Local 628 may be able to get one course for 10 people before this date but we need your immediate response. After April 1st Local 628 cannot send out members if the job requires this ticket.

Click on the link below to read Union Benefit’s letter addressed to Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo, Ontario.

Federal Proposal to Tax Private Health Care Premiums

Please read the message below from James Hogarth, Business Manager of the Ontario Pipe Trades Council. If you would like to submit a story please email it to “pat628@tbaytel.net”.

Unionized Labour

Thanks to all who voted in the recent election. To those of you who have not heard the results were as follows;

• Business Manager – Pat Dool
• President – Mark Zysko
• Vice President – Terry Melnick
• Executive Board – Jim Hill, Mike Otto, Greg Tait and newly elected Colin Hotson
• Dan Rojik has been appointed as the new Business Agent

Dan has been busy going through Working at Heights and all other mandatory training, contacting members to assure that their training is up to date.

Please monitor our website for future updates to the training program. As the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017 has been a flurry of activity we have yet to set up new course offerings for 2017.