Dear Brothers & Sisters;

We are off and running in 2018 with over 93% of our active membership employed at this time. The Greater

Victoria construction sector has produced a record number of large construction projects which has not been seen

in years. Our union members are employed on over 80% of the mid to large size projects. This increased amount

of work presents certain challenges and supplying labour is top priority. At this time the red hot residential

construction market in the south island doe not seem to show any signs of slowing down. We have over 20 condo

projects currently secured with many more soon out for tender. The mid island has had steady work for the past

few months and should be very busy by mid-summer. The number of new projects to bid in the North Island has

been slow but things are starting to pick up and the demand for manpower over the next few months should also

increase. Our membership has significantly grown from 880 members to 985 over the past year. The Local is

fast approaching 1000 members which is a significant accomplishment. We continue to keep ahead of the

required manpower demands and have been able to fill our signatory contractor’s requests as needed.

Last November, the office hired Stefan Plusa, a long time member and steam pipefitter. Stefan’s experience in

the trade has made him the perfect fit, and he has been busy interviewing and signing up new members, as well

as dispatching and assisting the office with a variety of member services.

In February we had the opportunity to work on the new 42 inch pipeline/casing for the sewer distribution line

crossing under the harbour from Dallas Rd to McLaughlin Point. Michels Canada had the contract and they were

not sure if 324 could supply the experienced tradesmen to complete this type of work. I’m happy to report we not

only completed this work but had the welding done ahead of schedule! I’m very proud of our members that were

part of this project and to prove that “yes we can” complete this type of work.

On May 1st we officially launched the Plumbers 911 service program. We currently have 3 signatory service

contractors onboard with this new program. I’m hoping this program will help support and grow our market

share in the plumbing service sector. You can check out the new plumbing service website by going to

www.viplumbers911.com. We are also nearing completion of our new membership data base which will provide

better efficiency within the office and will include improvements with data entry/dispatching/reporting. It’s

crucial that the new program is designed for the needs of our growing membership.

Commercial/Institutional Collective Bargaining

We sent out a member survey in February asking for feedback for any requested changes for our upcoming

negotiations. I appreciate the members who took the time to complete and return the surveys back to the union.

Our JCB negotiating committee reviewed the returned surveys and assembled our proposal. We met with our

signatory contractors in March. We concluded bargaining and presented a proposed MOA for the members to

cast their vote. Voting was held in Victoria, Nanaimo and Courtenay in April. The MOA was turned down by

the membership. We will now reconvene bargaining and once we have a new MOA we will notify the members

and proceed to hold a special called meeting and vote.

Victoria Shipyard

The shipyard continues to keep our members busy with steady work. We have completed the first LNG

conversion on the Tote ship. This was a very challenging project and required a substantial amount of pre

planning. The first phase was successfully completed. Work on the OSFV Coast Guard Patrol vessel started in

March 2018 and is the first of three ships. We are also currently working on 6 month refits, on the HMCS

Winnipeg and the Te Kaha, Royal New Zealand Anzac Frigate. These projects will employ 80-100 members.

Over on the VISSC side (submarine repair) we have approx 35 members working on the HMCS Victoria and the

HMCS Cornerbrook. ….2

BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT

Holidays 2018

Canada Day ~ Monday, July 2, 2018 ( in lieu of July 1 ) Friday preceding BC Day ~ Friday, August 3, 2018 BC Day ~ Monday, August 6, 2018 Friday preceding Labour day ~ Friday, August 31, 2018 (may be floated) Labour Day ~ Monday, September 3, 2018 Thanksgiving Day ~ Monday, October 8, 2018 Remembrance Day ~ Monday, November 1, 2018 ( in lieu of November 11 ) Christmas Day ~ Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Boxing Day ~ Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Secured Projects

South Island - Harbour Towers, UVIC Distr ict Energy Bldg, Camosun College Health

Science, Capital Park Phase 2, Black & White Condo, Trillium Condo, 616 Goldstream Condo,

301 Nursery Hill Condo, Burnside Educational Center, The Juke Box Condo, The Summit at

Quadra Village, Glenlyon Norfolk School, Pacific Christian School, Belmont Mall, Pacifica Housing, International

Marina, 701 Bellevue Seniors Complex, 848 Yates St Condo, Sidney Community Safety Bldg, Chira on the

Gorge, 727 Johnson Condo, West Saanich Apartments

North Island - IU Health Science Bldg, Nanaimo Airpor t Expansion, Search & Rescue Bldg, Braidwood

Apartments, North Island College, Port Hardy Airport, Pacific Station Apartments, Englishman River Water

Treatment Facility, Nanaimo Pollution Control upgrade, Vanier Secondary School

Events & Entertainment

We started 2018 with our annual 324 ski trip to Mount Washington on March 3rd and enjoyed a beautiful day on

the slopes. We had over 30 members attend this year. A huge thank you to Jason Zunino and Tyrel Smith for their

organizing and cooking skills! On April 28th, 20 UA members/spouses tackled the TC 10km run. This was a

challenging event and everyone had a great time. Coming up on July 28th is the Annual 324 Fishing Derby held

at Pedder Bay Marina. Registration is now open, tickets are just $40 and includes your entry fee, bbq lunch and

prizes. There are camping sites available for anyone wanting to spend the night. UA 324 Charity Golf tournament

is happening Sept 29th at Olympic View golf course. Registration is $125 per player which includes 18 holes, beer

& burger, golf cart rental, buffet dinner and prizes. Our entertainment is a great place to meet fellow members and

help raise money for our local charities. Please contact our office at 250-382-0415 or register in person.

Fraternally Yours,

Jim Noon Business Manager/Financial Secretary

BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT continued

~ IN MEMORY 2018 ~

Don Bishop Ron Richardson

Joe Gilmour Robert Perry

Brian Barton

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

MSP reimbursements Premiums are currently being reimbursed to the end of March 2018 Maximum reimbursement is two six months reimbursement periods. Proof of paid premiums may be emailed to Jan directly , faxed or dropped off at the hall PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for submission of extended health benefits 2017 receipts to D.A. Townley is June 30, 2018 Claim forms are available on the website or at the union office.

Address & Phone number updates Please remember to call the hall to advise of changes to phone numbers and addresses to keep your information current. Please do not give out the union office phone number as your personal contact number or as your “work” number.

Pension Statements Due to the new membership database still under construction, we are anticipating Pension Statements to be delayed again this year. Hopefully they will be out before the end of summer.

UNION OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

919 Esquimalt Road, Victoria BC V9A 3M7 Phone: 250-382-0415 Fax: 250-380-1713

Website: www.ualocal324.com

Jim Noon, Business Manager / Financial Secretary jim@ualocal324.com

Jamie McPherson, Director of Training jamie@ualocal324.com

Jan Lageri, Office Manager & Benefits Administration jan@ualocal324.com

Haylee Downey, Apprenticeship Administration haylee@ualocal324.com

Stefan Plusa, Local 324 Representative stefan@ualocal324.com

NO UNION MEETINGS JULY & AUGUST ENJOY THE SUMMER!

DRECTOR OF TRAINING REPORT

2018 so far has been a very busy year. We completed a NAUSC /CSA medical gas course in Victoria and a

plumbing code upgrade in Courtenay. Due to low enrolment, we have postponed the NAUSC Sprinkler

Inspection Testing and Maintenance course until the fall of 2018.

This year three apprentices represented Local 324 at the UA Western Canadian Apprenticeship Competition in

Calgary Alberta April 9-13 with Dennis Del Rio Carbo (plumber), Connor Wells (Steamfitter), and Sam Kaiser

(sprinklers) attending. Although this year’s competitors did not move on to the Nationals, all 3 represented Local

324 in exemplary fashion.

In April, we had four apprentices competing at the Skills BC competition in Abbotsford. In Steamfitting Ben

Leech won a Silver medal. In Sprinkler fitting Brad Cuthbert won the Bronze medal, and Holly Graitson placed

fifth. In Plumbing Connor Best placed 4th. We should be proud of the effort put in by all the apprentices at

these competitions as they represented our local well with great determination and professionalism.

At our long term service and graduating apprentice dinner we recognized our Top Graduating Apprentices of

2017. Mason Tancock for Plumbing and Catherine Schneider for Steamfitter. Catherine Schneider also won the

Alex Simpson Award as the top overall graduating apprentice in 2017. Well Done and congratulations to all of

the apprentices.

Courses being planned for the fall include, NAUSC Sprinkler Inspection Testing & Maintenance, Steam fitter

upgrade & prep course, pipe fabrication & layout course, a NAUSC Foreman course, a NAUSC Shop Steward

course, and a plumbing code upgrade course that will include a BC Plumbing code book for the members in

attendance. This course will only be offered to journeyman plumbers. Dates TBA.

Jamie McPherson

Director of Training

UA Local 324

OLYMPIC VIEW GOLF CLUB

643 Latoria Road, Victoria BC

Fee: $125.00 per person Includes Beer & Burger, Cart Rental, Dinner and Prizes!

Registration 11:00 am

Beer & Burger 11:30 am

Shot Gun Start 1:00 pm

Golf Dress Code in Effect - This is a “soft Spike” course Register at the union hall

250-382-0415 Maximum 72 golfers