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 News & Events:
Moving Forward
Challenges and Solutions for Canada’s Pipe Trades
A Message from John Telford, Director of Canadian Affairs
Most people don’t think about pipes very much, but everyone recognizes that much of our infrastructure in Canada depends on them. In many ways, that also describes the people who work in the piping industry: the pipe trades play a crucial role in the construction sector, providing vital support to the broader economy.
As the association representing qualified pipes trades people, UA Canada is equally dedicated to supporting its members, giving them a collective voice and helping to build the partnerships – with industry and government – for ongoing success.
Having been around for more than a century, UA has faced plenty of challenges. Today is no different, and we remain committed to developing effective solutions to address the current issues we face, such as demographic shifts and labour shortages.
That is why we have crafted Moving Forward, a campaign based on working with our clients, owners, and contractors, to ensure we are providing the most skilled and professional workforce to complete their projects.
Moving Forward is aimed at bringing about a cultural shift – with an emphasis on professionalism and quality throughout the pipe trades. It involves everyone from the union executive and managers to those on the shop floor; from the most seasoned professional to the apprentice just starting out in a career in the industry.
We have created a “Standard for Excellence” as the basis for Moving Forward, and will work with our representatives and membership to ensure that this standard is adopted and implemented by our local unions across Canada.
Already we have seen tremendous progress in accomplishing this cultural shift, through initiatives such as a detailed survey of our members on the state of our union, new websites promoting transparency and information, and business and leadership training programs.
UA is very proud of our membership and our work. Our motto, "We Do It Right the First Time," shows our integrity and determination to not only do our best, but with skill and expertise.
Moving Forward reinforces this dedication to excellence and partnership, ensuring a bright future for the pipe trades, our partners, and the communities we help to build.
John Telford
Director of Canadian Affairs
United Association
Dear Brothers & Sisters:
As the Director of Canadian Affairs, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to respond to my call for action. I wanted to hear from you and you responded!
I appreciate the honest opinions, comments and recommendations that you provided and I assure you that I will do my utmost to address the few concerns we received right away.
Together we are going to grow the U.A. by creating opportunities and delivering on our promises and guarantees. I believe we need to:
- Have a clear vision of the United Association so that we can move forward together and secure more job opportunities for our members.
- Create a positive perception of the U.A. in people’s minds including our members, clients, owners and contractors.
- Increase our influence in the industry.
- Increase our membership and re-establish loyalty in the U.A.
- Increase the number of U.A. contractors and the number of clients and owners.
I have given you my thoughts. Now I need to hear yours. How do you think we can accomplish this? How can you help? Please complete the Moving Forward Feedback Form to forward your feedback.
Sincerely Yours,
John Telford,
Director of Canadian Affairs
UA Journal Article - 07.21.09
A review of the UA Journal article on the UA Canada survey. Find out more about what is wanted by UA members in Canada.
Click HERE to read the full journal article >>
Moving Forward Feedback
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2008-06-12
I would like to make the suggestion that the union takes in apprentices even before they have a union job and get them to pay non working dues until they do find a job with a union company. I am a refrigeration mechanic in BC and I could sign up at least three first and second year apprentices but it seems that the union doesn't want them until the applicant can find a job with a union company himself. I have a 19 year old granddaughter in Edmonton that is going into Refrigeration and I would like to sign her up but "no job- no union". If we could get these young people unionized then I am quite certain that they would then look for union jobs or bring the company that they are working for into the union. Thanks for letting me express myself.
W - UA Member - Canada 2008-06-19
Dear Brother Telford,
First, congratulations on your new position as our Canadian Director, and thanks for asking us for our advice. I am the past president of Local and a 40 year member, and very proud of it. We had a few highs and lows in the construction industry in our area over the years, but the non-union didn’t seem to be a problem at that time.
You are right John, we do have to attack this problem. I think one way is to make presentations at our Local Community Colleges and High Schools to show young graduates what we have to offer. We must talk to their teachers so we get the best people, especially the welding classes.
We currently have an organizer, Steve Brown, who is working hard, but is running into a few walls when it comes to recruiting non-union people over to our side due to incentives like bonuses and pensions, but the good side is that Steve did organize a few companies and one that was a big competitor over the years.
We must also help our own members set up business under our collective agreement in order to create more union jobs. Our stabilization fund is working well in our area, and any Local who is not currently using this system it’s a must.
We also take in an average of at least 10 new members at every monthly meeting. Other Locals must adopt this also.
Yours truly,
Thomas - UA Member - Canada 2008-06-16
Hi John Telford,
Good letter and timely - the problems associated with UA/QCCC for me personally are:
- they have never gotten me work
- the pension plan loses or makes poor interest - as a former financial administrator it is all about risk mitigation and long term gains - how about investing in Oil patch signatories or helping get penstock IPP's going, reinsurers, financial institutions - all sure shots for the most part.
- it is political out here - if I leave one company, they make me out to be a bad inspector.
- no extra pay for Level III visuals
- no extra money for visual inspector's endorsements - Z662, B31.3, etc..........!
- I can do QA for 120 per hour and there is no mention of union at this level
more just ran out of time
The only thing is the extended health and plan after retirement. As a welding inspector, NDT technician, coating inspector the union does
Best regards,
Nigel - UA Member - Canada [Top]
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