Harry Van Beest
Wire Negotiations — There was some progress made, however, stumbling blocks remain [i.e. including our dispatch procedure in the agreement, increasing mobility between Locals (we gave four—they want eight), 50/50 name request to remain for duration of agreement and be signed by the Locals – we refuse.] Industry settlements to date (6 of 15 Building Trades have settled) are $5.50 in Industrial and $3.50 in Residential/Commercial/Institutional (RCI) with the contract ending of May 2014. While we currently have only one journeyperson rate of pay and the fear that $5.50 on RCI work would price us out of the market but $3.50 on Industrial jobs isn’t fair (other Trades will be getting the $5.50). There are no dates scheduled as of the printing of this newsletter.
Please refer to December 2011 newsletter for the description of Industrial work and ensure that you are being paid correctly for Saturday overtime. Anything less and you are violating the collective agreement.
ASTT and BC Safety Authority are looking at entering an agreement to give ASTT trained (60-80 hour course) people “limited” electrical tickets allowing them to perform regulated electrical work. One concern is the lack of policing in the industry on a good day never mind attempting to police a greater number of individuals.
The ITA has also declassified the Trade of Electronic Communications Technician (Data Technicians) without any consultation with industry. Harry is not sure what this means for our data technicians.
We are also working with BC Safety Authority to adopt the new Electrical Code.
