hard hat spring 2010

8/8/2019 Hard Hat Spring 2010

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Uniting ARCCAW members across Alberta and the Northwest Territories Spring 2

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40063788 Return undeliverable mail to 200-15210 123 Ave Edmonton,AB T5V 0A3

Outlook 2010Will economic recovery =new projects and more job

Take the LEED

Why green certificationmatters

Shop TalkIndustrial shopsacross the province


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2 HARDHAT SPRING2010

Executive Secretary Treasurers REPORT

Prepare for

Challenges AheadMartyn A. Piper

For most members, the comfort of

having a job or being reasonably con-fident there is a next job weighs heav-

ily on the mind, pa rticularly when workingin the construction industry. For many whohave joined the union in the last seven or

eight years, unemployment is almost a for-eign word.

Well, this year could be different. I hope Iam wrong, but the economic indicators andtiming of projects would suggest that wecan expect some degree of unemploymentthrough the back part of this year. All themajor owners have work on the books either

by way of new projects like Imperial OilsKearl Lake or Suncors Firebag Phase 3 orthey have large-scale capital work planned.

Others continue to mull over their plans to

move forward with major projects, althoughannouncements of late would suggest thegood times will again begin to roll in the oilsands in the next few years.

However, things could be a little diceyin the short term. In Calgar y and southern

Alberta, industrial projects are also beingplanned, the most current being the Enmax

Shepard Energy Centre. Many of the projectsbeing contemplated today are either fixed-price lump sum contracts or in the very leasthave tight cost control processes to limit costoverruns and excessive billing on time a nd

material.The ground is shifting continually under

our feet and we must be nimble to adjuston short notice and embrace new ways of

doing business with our contractors if weare to stay in the game. Safety, productiv-ity and competiveness are the key drivers toensuring more work for our members. Thesame holds true for our industrial shops.In fact, most, if not all, have adopted LeanManagement processes, which essentially

cut the fat and look for more efficient meth-ods of production. As a labour provider, wemust be mindful of the winds of change a ndcontinually strive to provide our contractorsand the owners with a safe, competent, reli-able and clean workforce. We are still trou-

bled by excessive absenteeism, as are most ofthe Building Trades, and i n order to secure

more work we have to find the solution tothis chronic problem.

Unemployment in Eastern Canada, spe-cifically the Atlantic provinces, will continueto provide a steady stream of people to oilsands-related work, both union and non-union. Fly in and f ly out arrangements andshift schedules that provide quality of life

breaks at home have now become the norm.

Like it or not, driving to and from Wood

Buffalo is becoming non-existent for thoseliving within close proximity to an airporteither in Alberta or Canada-wide. Doubletime is quickly ev aporating as work schedulesprovide for blended wage rates or premiumfactors that are less than collective agree-ment, but guarantee extended time off andflights home. A visit to Kearl Lake this past

week showed me all I need to see with respectto workers coming to Alberta from coast tocoast because most are in need of a paying

job. Spending time in a camp that housesworkers from a number of projects including

Kearl was a good indication of the number ofnon-union workers from all trades making aliving in the Wood Buffalo area.

While we can all remain reasonably con-

fident of good times ahead, particularly as itrelates to oil sands work, we need to be mind-ful that the winds of change have brought ona very dif ferent day, and if we want to retainmarket share, union wage rates and benefitcontributions, we will be forced to do busi-ness differently.

COLLECTIVE BARGAININGUPDATEEventhoughthecurrentcollectiveagree-

mentsforConstructionCarpenters,

Millwrights,ISMLathersandRoofersdonot

expireuntilApril30,2011,preparationsare

underwayforcollectivebargaining.Wewill

besolicitingmemberinputsoon.Allthevari-

oustradegroupsrepresentedbytheCouncil

haveadoptedthenewBuildingTradesof

Albertabargainingframework,whichwe

hopewillleadtopositiveoutcomes.

Bargaining Committees as follows:

Carpenters

MartynPiper

DerrickSchulte

GeorgeWilson

BrucePayne

GregBudd

TonyContenti

ShaneWhitmore

Millwrights

BobHugh

GordEvers

TedRemenda

TomDebeljak

DaveKnight

ISM/Lathers

TBA

Roofers

TBA


3/32

Edmonton 780-471-3200Fort McMurray 780-743-1442

Calgary 403-283-0747Carpenters Training Centre 780-455-6532

Carpenters Health and Welfare 780-477-9131Carpenters Pension 780-477-9131

Industrial Workers 403-283-0747Millwright Local 1460 780-430-1460

Local Union 1325 and 2103 Dispatch 1-888-944-0818

PUBLISHED FOR:

Alberta Regional Council ofCarpenters & Al lied Workers

15210 123 AvenueEdmonton, Alberta T5V 0A3

Tel: (780) 474-8599 / Fax: (780) 474-8910

www.albertacarpenters.com

PUBLISHED BY:

Venture Publishing Inc.

10259 105 StreetEdmonton, Alberta T5J 1E3

Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276Phone: (780) 990- 0839

Fax: (780) 425-4921

www.venturepublishing.ca

PUBLISHER

Ruth Kelly

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Joyce Byrne

ARCCAW EDITOR

Martyn A . Piper

EDITOR

Kim Tannas

ART DIRECTOR

Charles Burke

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

Rodrigo Lpez Orozco

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Betty-Lou Smith

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lindsey Norris, Tricia Radison,Lisa Ricciotti, Jim Veenbaas

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

AND ILLUSTRATORS

Ewan Nicholson, Heff OReilly, Chris Tait

VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES

Anita McGillis

ADVERTISING REPRE SENTATIVE

Tara Kochan

SALES ASSISTANT

Stefanie Jackson

Contents 2010 by ARCCAW Inc.

No part of this publication should be reproduced

without written permission.

Important Phone Numbers

HARDHAT SPRING 2010

ON THE COVER

The BowPhotographed by Ewan Nicholson 10

18

22

Spring 10

ContentsFEATURES

10 Project ProfileThe Bow

Calgarys newest skyscraper is

demanding in novative solutions to

unique construction challenges

By Tricia Radison

14Q&A: LEEDing the WayWhats so important about this green

certification program and why should

you care?

By Tricia Radison

18Economic Outlook 2010Oil and gas leads the way into a gradualrecovery, but you may still feel the pinch

By Jim Veenbaas

22 Masters of Their CraftThe final part of a series featuring

industrial shops across the region

By Lisa Ricciotti

DEPARTMENTS

2 Note From the ExecutiveSecretary Treasurer

By Martyn Piper

4 Site Lines

News and views from around the region

9 Training + Events

26 Training and ApprenticeshipReport

By Len J. Bryden

27 KidZone

Fun facts about green buildings, plus a

crossword puzzle

28 Local 1460 Millwrights Report

By Bob Hugh

28 In Memoriam

30 Parting Shot

14


4/32

4 HARDHAT SPRING 2010

Site Lines News in Brief

Built for Politics

Most 10-year-old kids have lofty

career ambitions: as tronaut, doctor,

race car driver. City councillor rarely

makes the list it lacks the same excite-

ment as flying through space or taking

hairpin turns.

But Searle Turton has

been dreaming

about getting

into politics

for as long

as he can

remember.This fall, the

32-year-old

carpenter will

finally have the

chance to act on

his ambitions when he

runs for Spruce Grove Cit y Council.

Turton joined Local 1325 a decade

ago, not long after recognizing the

wage disparity between his non-union

house framing jobs and the jobs of his

unionized family members (his father

is a member of the electricians union

and his brother-in-law a member with

the pipefit ters). If he is elected, Turton

believes it will give him the chance to

raise labour issues with individuals

at the provincial and federal levels of

government.

Just by being a member of city

council you gain more of an ear in

higher levels of government, he says.

He would also like to see Spruce Groveexpand its recreational facilities.

Turton may seem young for politics,

but he has chalked up enough experi-

ence to make sure hes taken seriously.

He has volunteered for other political

campaigns, is a member of the execu-

tive for his local and sits on the board of

directors of the Spruce Grove Librar y.

With two incumbent councillors step-

ping down from cit y council, Turton

Carpenter Searle Turton builds a political future, one door at a time

Guess the Tool

Which trade used this antique br ace?

(Hint: It was used in the making of an old-

fashioned method of transportation.)

Answer on page 6

Tee TimeOn July 16, swap your steel toes for your golf shoes to sup-

port juvenile diabetes research at the 10th annual Barrie

Regan Golf Tournament. Last year, the tournament raised

over $5,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association

(JDRA). The event is also one of ARCCAWs largest f und-

raisers of the year and is named after union member Barrie

Regan, who sat on the board of directors for the JDRA.

Eighty-two cents on every dollar that we raise goes

directly to research, and whats really neat is so many of the

families that work in the carpenters union have a direct

connection to the organization, so theyre raising money

for their own community, says Barbara Armstrong, the

regional manager for J DRF.

The $125 registration fee includes green fees at the

Legends Golf & Country Club in Sherwood Park, a cart,

prizes and a steak dinner at the end of the day. Corporate

donors are also encouraged to sponsor a hole or provide a

donation. To register, fax t he form on page 21 by July 9.

believes this is his chance. Incumbent

councillors have an 85 per cent chance

of re-election, so with a couple of peo-

ple stepping down I have a really good

opportunity, he says.

The election takes place in October,

so for the next few months, Itll be

pretty well work, door-knocking and

family life, says Turton, who is married

and has a three- year-old son. Luckily, I

have a very patient wife who knows that

politics is a dream of mine.

Of course with no party system inmunicipal politics, candidates chances

of winning depend largely on their per-

sonal effort s. So as soon as the snow

melts, Ill be door-knocking, he says.

My goal is to knock on most doors by

the time of the election. So i f you see

Turton with b andages on his knuckles,

dont worry its not because hes sud-

denly developed any clumsiness with his

hammer.

A roundup of news and events

from around the region


5/32

HARDHAT SPRING 2010

Hair MassacreThe Keephills work site west of

Edmonton is usually humming with

the sounds of power tools. On Feb.

12, a new, unfamiliar buzz was added

to the mix that of electric shavers.

A team of seven, which included six

members from Local 1325 and one

pipefitter from Local 488, agreed to

donate their hair to a good cause (no

small sacrifice in an Edmonton win-ter, as participant Leah Redmond dis-

covered. I had to wear a toque to bed

the fi rst night, she says.)

Team members who were working

that day staged the event at Keephills,

while the others joined the main Hair

Massacure event at West Edmonton

cure

Good WorksThe Alberta Carpenters Training Centre has been awarded the

2009 Corporate Volunteer Award from Habitat for Humanity for

its members outstanding contributions to the charitable orga-

nization. Angela Robichaud, who is the volunteer manager for

Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, says no other organization

opened their arms to Habitat to the same degree as the

training centre. We had classes that came out and put up

scaffolding, they sent emails to members, and overall

they contributed over 500 hours last year with about

50 different people coming out to our job sites,

Robichaud says.

When the first participants began the Trade

Winds to Success program in February 2006, they

had six training streams to choose from: boilermaker,

carpenter, ironworker, plumber, steam/pipefitter and

welder. In September 2009, two new training pro-

grams millwright and electrician were added to the

course lineup, offering Mtis, Inuit and First Nations

people in Alber ta more choices for their pre-appren-

ticeship training.

Five clients will be going over to the Millwright

Training Centre in Edmonton starting March 8, saysDeborah Munroe, the executive director of the Trade

Winds program, who adds that building a relation-

ship with the millwright union has been a tremendous

partnership.

Between February 2006 and the December 2009,

198 of the programs par ticipants secured employ-

ment in their trade of choice; of that number, 146

chose to join a union.

update:

Trade Winds

to SuccessMall. Since 2003, over $3.6 million has

been raised in Edmonton and Northern

Alberta, with proceeds split between

the Stollery Ch ildrens Hospital

Foundation and the Make-A-Wish

Foundation of Northern Alberta. The

event was origin ally inspired by (now)

11-year-old Kali MacDonald. She was in

her third year of chemotherapy treat-

ment in 2003 when her f ather, GordonMacDonald, launched the fundraiser.

The Hair Massacure event has a per-

sonal connection to the team the wife

of member Tony Payne has cancer a nd

is undergoing chemotherapy.

Stay tuned next year. The team is

considering an encore performance.

Want to get involved?Habitat is always looking for skilled workers to contribute to their projects

on Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:30 a .m. to 4 p.m . This year, upcoming

projects include 12 homes in Stony Plain and six in Spruce Grove. There is no

minimum commitment, though the organization does prefer if people can come

out a few times a month. If the social opportunities and the thought of doing good

work isnt enough, Habitat offers an additional perk: lunch is provided.

Sign up at www.hfh.orgor contact a volunteer co-ordinator at780-479-3566.

From left to right: Terry Hall, Kelly Harding, Fern Barriault, Tony Payne Sr. Other

team members include Leah Redmond, Jason Hall, Jordan Dufty and Rod Burnstick


6/32


Site Lines

Class in SessionReppsco Services Ltd., an industrial mainte-

nance company, offered free training sessions

earlier this year to prep workers for upcoming

shutdowns. For a three-day stint in early February

and again in early March, more than 30 mem-

bers from Local 1460 were trained in controlled

bolting, hydro-testing plugs and flange facing

at the Millwrights Provincial Training Centre in

Edmonton.

This is the second year in a row that Reppsco has

offered training to millwrights, pipefitters and boil-

ermakers to make sure it has qualified trades avail-

able. We try to get the guys trained prior to being

shipped out to the sites for shutdown to perform

maintenance, says Chris Buck, the general fore-man of 6601 (Reppscos division for machining and

bolting). Whatever shutdown I have coming up, Ill

put a slip into the hall and ask for training and then

its first come, first serve.

In addition to job skills, trainees receive hir-

ing preference for upcoming jobs. Plus, its

free for participants, since the trade halls

and Reppsco split the cost.

Raising

the Bar

The world-renowned carpenters

scaffolding apprenticeship program,

available to members from locals 2103

and 1325, just became a little more dif

ficult to complete.

We are continually working to

modify our program and improve

our tests, and we have raised the pass

mark to make it a little bit more chal-

lenging for our members because wehave a lot of people who want to par-

ticipate, says Len Bryden, the pro-

vincial training co-ordinator at the

Alberta Carpenters Training Centre.

We want to make sure our standards

of quality are of utmost excellence

the best in the industry.

A new door and hardware course will

soon be available at the Calgary Training

Centre and will start sometime in 2010. Len

Bryden says an instructor is training now, which

means participants can soon enrol to learn how

to install panic hardware for exit doors on specific

manufacturers products.

Answer toGuess the Tool

(from page 4)

A coachmaker would have used this brac

building a coach, or horse-drawn carriag

Len Bryden, director of training and apprenticeship, Alberta Carpenters Training Centre, with the2009 Corporate Volunteer Award from Habitat for Humanit y. To his lef t is scaffold instructor George

Pekarchik and on his right, from Habitat for Humanity, are Mark Craig, director of construction, and

Angela Robichaud, volunteer manager

Dont Panic


7/32

HARDHAT SPRING 2010

Safety in NumbersA half day was devoted to paired observations train-

ing and a site walkdown at Syncrudes Spring 2010

Turnaround Preparation Meeting earlier this year.

ARCCAW leadership paired up with the Aluma Systems

Fort McMurray team for this peer review process that

emphasizes the importance of working safe. Team

members used a checklist to observe and identify safety

issues related to the working environment, protective

gear, tools and machinery, and worker behaviours.

Alberta Construction Safety AssociationMaking Safety A Way Of Life

National ConstructionSafety Officer Program

NCSO

www.acsa-safety.org

Edmonton 1-800-661-2272 Calgary 1-800-661-0390

Ft. McMurray 780-715-2157

Qualifying Program for Gold Seal ConstructionSafety Coordinator

_

From left to right: Bob Cook, Local 1325, Dave Windsor,

Aluma site safety lead, Martyn Piper, executive secretary

treasurer, ARCCAW, Mick Herke, Aluma general managerfor northern Alberta

ALBERTA AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

(DISTRICT OF MACKENZIE)

REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS AND ALLIED WORKERS

REPRESENTATIVE FORT MCMURRAY/

WOOD BUFFALO REGION

The Regional Council is currently accepting applications for a full

time Representative/Organizer, based in Fort McMurray responsible

for servicing in Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo area and who

reports directly to the Executive Secretary Treasurer. This position

requires a proactive, high-energy self-reliant individual who is results

driven and who is capable of working with minimal supervision and is

committed to the expansion of our Union. The successful candidate

will possess strong interpersonal skills and be able to work effectively

with diverse groups of people both union, non-union and manage-

ment. Effective written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Knowledge of Alberta workplace legislation would be an asset.

The position will require work in off-hours, evenings and weekends without overtime, and possession of a valid Alberta drivers license

is essential. Traini ng during a probationary period will be provided

prior to the successful candidate assuming full time responsibilities.

Acceptance of a contract outlining remuneration and working terms and

conditions is a condition of employment. Local residents will be given

preference of employment if qualifications and suitability are equal.

Please forward resume by mail to:

Martyn A. Piper

Executive Secretary Treasurer

Regional Council of Carpenters & Allied Workers

200-15210 123 AveEdmonton, AB T5V 0A3

Closing date: May 28, 2010


8/32


Site Lines

The Great Reno RebateOttawas home renovation program, which allowed taxpayers to receive up to $1,350 in tax rebates for projects between $1,000 and

$10,000, was introduced as a limited time measure in the 2009 feder al budget to boost the economy and add jobs. While the offici al tally

wont be revealed till after tax season, certain signs suggest it has already been a success.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Canadian Home Builders Association Alberta, TD Economics

30%2009

$130,000Cost of the average project completed by renovators in Alberta

$75,000Cost of the average projectcompleted by renovators in

the rest of Canada

$6 billion

$3,000in rebates

It would offer homeowners up to

and could lead to the renovation of3 million homes

The amount of money the tax program bolstered

in renovation activity, as estimated by TD Bank$4.3 billion

Amount residential investment (which includes home

construction and home renovations) increased in the

fourth quarter of 2009, the biggest jump in

24 years

The cost of the proposed Homestar program in the United States


9/32

HARDHAT SPRING 2010

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_ _

Training + EventsUPCOMINGTraining

Many courses taking place in the next few months have already filled up.

Here are a few that still have space. The new class schedule for 2010-2011 will

be available at the end of April. Visit www.abcarptc.ab.ca or phone

the Edmonton offi ce for more information: 780 455-653 2 or toll-free

1-877-455-6532.

Alberta Carpenters Training Centre

Edmonton

Period 2 Carpentry: May 10 to July 2, 2010

Calgary

Hoisting and Rigging: May 14 to 16, 2010

Pre-employment Carpentry Program: Aug. 16 to Oct. 7, 2010

Fort McMurray

To register for classes running after May of 2010, you must be a Fort McMurray

resident.

Scaffolding Level 1:

May 17 to June 4, 2010

June 28 to July 16, 2010Sept. 7 to Sept. 24, 2010

Nov. 15 to Dec. 3, 2010

Note: Period 1 and 2 Carpentry: All classes require government-registered apprentices.

To register with us at the ACTC you must have your blue book and be in good standing.

General Events

18th Annual Provincial Skills Canada Competition

The Alberta Carpenters Training Centre was host to the regional Skills Canada

Competition on April 20. High school and post-secondary students who quali-

fied from this and other regional competitions across Alberta now have the

chance to compete in the Provincial Skills Canada competition in May.

Date: May 12-13, 2010Location: Edmonton Expo Centre

More information: www.skillsalberta.com/provincials/Provincials

CompetitionInformation.aspx

Provincial Carpentry Apprenticeship/Scaffolder Games Competition

To compete, you must have completed all four periods of carpentry appren-

ticeship for the carpentry competition and all three levels of scaffolding

courses for the Scaffolder Games, preferably in the last 12 months for both.

Six carpenters and nine scaffolder volunteers are also needed for this yearly

event. The carpenter apprentice who wins the Alberta Training Trust Fund

Carpenter Competition will be going on to compete at the UBC National

Apprenticeship Contest being held in Ottawa Sept. 9-11.

Date: June 25-26, 2010

More information: If you are interested in participating in either event,

contact Len Bryden at 780-454-6699, or email [email protected].

Meetings

First Wednesday of each month: Local 1325 meeting

Third Thursday of each month: Local 2103 meeting

Fourth Tuesday of each month: Local 1460 meeting


July 19 to Aug. 6, 2010

Sept. 27 to Oct. 15, 2010


Aug. 16, 2010 to Sept. 3, 2010

Oct. 18 to Nov. 5, 2010


10/32

10 HARDHAT SPRING2010

ProjectPROFILE

ByTRICIA RADISON

PhotographybyEwan Nicholson

Soon to become Western Canadas tallest

skyscraper, the Bows unique design is

creating daily construction challengesthat demand innovative solutions


11/32

HARDHAT SPRING 2010 1

n the heart of Calgary, the Bow is rising. Not the

Bow River, but Western Canadas tallest office build-ing, scheduled for completion in 2011. Architecturallystunning and widely lauded, the project has set numer-

ous records and proven to be an exciting challenge for thoseinvolved in its construction.

Designed by Foster + Partners out of London, England, theBows unique crescent shape and exposed diagonal grid areexpected to add an element of sophistication to the city skyline.

Rising 774 feet (236 metres) from the ground, the 58-storey towercontains 1.9 million square feet of leasable space and will be hometo EnCana Corporation, bringing together employees from fiveseparate locations in the city.

Reportedly the largest steel project in Canadian history, the Bowwill eventually contain about 43,000 metric tonnes of steel. By the endof 2009, about 22 ,000 metric tonnes had been used to build 30 f loors.

The Bows steel diagrid plays two roles. Other towers have a concretecore and all the steel is tied into the core. In the case of the Bow, we donthave a concrete core. The actual strength of the building comes fromthe diag rid structure, explains Michael Brown, associate v ice-president


12/32

for Southwest Development from hisCalgary office. Theres the architec-tural aspect, which is how it looks, but

there is also a significant amount ofengineering built into the structure togive it the strength it needs as a tower.

Concrete is another major ingredi-ent in the building, with 97,600 cubicmetres of high-strength concrete beingused over the duration of the project.The foundation alone used 13,778 cubicmetres. Poured over 36 hours in May

2008, the foundation is the result of thelargest continuous concrete pour everdone in Canada, and the third largest inthe history of the world.

About 1,300 truckloads of con-crete and more than 500 people wererequired to complete the pour. The

building is being erected on a 4,600-square-metre slab that is about three

metres thick.Glass is another important com-

ponent of the building. The finishedstructure will incorporate enough glass

details and say, OK, does this break arecord? says Brown. Everything in theBow, from the diagrid structure to the

shape of the building, is actually being putin place to meet either a building objectiveor a tenant objective.

The crescent shape is one example.It wasnt that somebody sat down andsaid, You know, lets build a buildingthats a bow shape. [We figured out] whatEnCanas needs are from a staff point ofview, and how their working units work

together, and the bow shape came out as aresult, Brown says.


Project PROFILE

to cover 10 football fields, about 80,000square metres of glass. The curtain wallpanels weigh about 300 kilograms each,

with some of the large panels weighing upto 450 kilograms. An atrium with a south-west exposure plays an important rolein managing the energy needs and costsof the building, reflecting or exhaustingexcess heat in the summer and absorbingheat that is then sent through the buildingduring cooler months.

We dont actually sit back and track

where we are in terms of the materialsor where we are in terms of some of the

CURVE APPEAL: Constructing a massive

building in an urban core has its headaches,

but the complex project is on schedule and

on budget. Steel, concrete and glass come

together to make the offi ce building not onlyarchitecturally stunning but also functional

for EnCana staff


13/32

That shape has led to challenges asthe building is erected. Logistics is one.Getting materials where they need to go

on time when working on a curved struc-ture simply isnt as easy as it is when work-ing on a square building.

Managing the amount of materialthat gets wasted also takes much morework and planning because of the shape.Imagine laying tile in [a circular] area.Youre going to have significant wasteif you dont really manage what youre

doing, says Brown.But while there have been challenges,

there have also been innovations. Forexample, when sourcing a debris nettingsystem proved impossible because those

on the market wouldnt work with thedesign of the Bow, Steeplejack IndustrialGroup which is providing scaffolders andscaffolding for the construction devel-oped a retractable debris netting systemusing tube and clamp scaffold. It had neverbeen done before but worked perfectly forthe project.

Innovation is all in a days work for those

working on the Bow. For us, every day youget challenges as you go along. You take on

each challenge, you overcome it and youmove on, says Brown. But he acknowl-edges that the Bow spawns new ideas

all the time. You have a parking struc-ture that has over 1,300 stalls, you havea 58-storey building on top of that, youhave the shape of the Bow, you have t heamount of staff youre really going tohave to have some level of innovation.

Although the tenant fit-out work wontalways be innovative, it will incorporatedifferent approaches and materials from

what is usually seen in Calgary. Drawingon the best the world offers, plans are inplace to give interior elements a bit of anunusual edge. Everything from the ceil-ings to the drywall to the stone and wood-work will be slightly different than thewestern Canadian norm, creating an inte-

rior thats as impressive as the exterior.With between 750 and 800 people on the

site on any given day, a number that willpeak at 1,500 in fall 2010, the Bows down-town location is an incredibly busy place.Some prefabrication is being done off siteto keep the amount of people and materialsto a minimum. Interestingly, this includesthe construction of the washrooms.

The use of washroom pods, as theyrecalled, is not uncommon for this type of

building. It is uncommon for this part of

the world, says Brown. The pods havebeen used successfully in Eastern Canada,the United States, Asia and Europe.

When the time comes, the pods will belifted with cranes and placed throughoutthe building wherever theyre going to beinstalled. At that point, the utilities will beconnected and theyll be fully functional.

Brown predicts washroom pods willbecome more popular in Western Canadaas people learn about the advantages ofusing them.

In a testament to project management,

the complex project is on schedule and onbudget. Its also exciting to watch, evenfor those dealing with the day-to-dayheadaches of constructing such a massive

building in an urban core. Says Brown:Every few days I forget and then I go [onsite] and Im reminded of just how amaz-ing this project is. One of the most inter-esting things is that you hear Calgarians[talking about it]. Theyll remember whenthe Bow was built.



14/32

Hard Hat: Why is LEED important?

Glenn Chanut: For many years, there were t wo separate pots of money.

You build the building w ith this pot of money and t hen you operate it

with another pot of money. They werent integrated.

If Im only responsible for the capital cost, I m going to spend as little

as possible; Im not thinking into the future for the next group that Im

going to turn the building over to. With LEED, the intent is to make acase to spend additional dollars on the capital side to produce future

cost savings on the operating side.

How does the job of a scaffolder or a welder or a carpenter differ on

a LEED project than on a regular project?

GC: It shouldnt differ at all. You always want to utilize the materials

youre using to the best of your ability with as little waste as possible.

If there is waste, it can be put into a designated bin and it can go to be

recycled. Its not just the wood or the product theyre working with; it

goes further than that. It goes to recycling containers, drink containers,

anything that theyre using on the site.

Its about reusing as much as possible. Recycle, reuse, and reduce.

Those three things are primary and just part of the way we should all

work, the way we should all live.

Is it extra work for a subcontractor or a tradesperson to build a LEED

project?

GC: I would have to say yes, there is a l ittle bit, but its really ver y minor.

There is documentation required, but the general contractor, for the

most part, will do that. For the trades, the general contractor sets up

bins for recycling, and when theyre doing their cleanup, which is part of

their job anyway, rather than just put it into one bin, they have to put it

into different bins. T hey dont have to do any more than that.

Glenn Chanut

E

ByTRICIA RADISON

ight or nine years ago, few people had even heard of

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), one

of the international green certification systems for buildings.

Today, constructing to LEED standards is becoming the norm. The City

of Calgary, for example, has mandated that all of its large projects will

be built with the goal of achieving LEED gold. Glenn Chanut is a LEED

accredited professional and co-ordinator of project management for

building infrastructure, corporate properties and buildings, at the Cityof Calgary. He is also a former member of UBC 1779/2103 and currently

an employer trustee for the pension, health and wellness, and training

trust funds. He talks about the importance of LEED and what ARCCAW

members can do to help projects get certified.


Are there things a tradesperson might do on

site that could take away from LEED points?GC: Ill use an example I use with apprentices.

You cut all of your longest materials first. If

you put all of your longest pieces in first, then

if you happen to make a m istake and cut it too

short, youve got all the shorter pieces you can

use, so theres less waste. Thats just a small

example, but you can take it across the work of

any trade.

Basically, if a carpenter is really doing what

he was trai ned to do, hes going to meet most

of the requirements right off the top.

What else can the trades do to contribute?

GC: Be less wasteful. Order just enough prod-

uct. Order local product. If you get beyond

500 miles f rom the site, you begin to lose some

credibility for the project. Years ago, they used

to build buildings with materials that were

readily available in the area. With transpor-

tation the way it is today, you can transport

material from anywhere in the world. But not

without expense. Not without expending

energy to get it f rom point A to point B.

Tradespeople have an important role in helpingbuildings achieve green certification


15/32

Get the Point?There are 110 possible points in the

latest version of the LEED rating

system. Projects must get a certain num-

ber to be certified.

Certified: 40-49

Silver: 50-59

Gold: 60-79

Platinum: 80-110

Points are awarded in seven keyareas:

Sustainable Sites

Water Efficiency

Energy and Atmosphere

Materials and Resources

Indoor Environmental Quality

Innovation and Design Process

Regional Priority

What is the impact of increased recycling of

construction waste material on our landfills?

GC:I did Cardel Place* in 2001. That had, I

believe, a 75 per cent waste reduc tion from a

normal project. We diverted 75 per cent of the

waste from the landfill to recycling. Its going

to be between 75 and 90 per cent today.

How many points do you get for recycling?

GC:The waste component is worth up to two

points, with one point to divert 50 per cent

and a second point to divert up to 75 per cent.

If there are only 52 points, one point may seem

minor, but every point helps a project. Andthose are easy points to make.

When LEED projects were first built in

Alberta, it was pretty challenging for con-

tractors and maybe a little scary. Has build-

ing to LEED standards gotten easier?

GC:Very much so. When I did Cardel Place in

2001, there was one individual that had LEED

accreditation on our project team and no

LEEDone really kne w what to do, how to do things.

Even our speci fications we had to do a lot of

research to put the specifications together to

accommodate LEED.

Will LEED continue to push the industry to

higher and higher levels of sustainability?

GC:Most definitely. Our sustainable building

policy started out at silver. Cardel Place is gold

and we just keep raising the bar higher all the

time. It will drive itself. The number of people

who are involved with LEED and accredited

has risen unbelievably since it started here.

Everyone starts to ask, How can we do itbetter? Its like a snowball; it just starts to roll

and its getting bigger and people are coming

up with all kinds of ideas wherever you go. Its

exciting. There are unl imited opportunities out

there. You look at everythin g from a different

perspective. Its not about using every thing you

can fi nd out there. Its about trying to save and

use everyth ing as best as you can.

*LEED version 2.1 was used for Cardel Place.


GOING FOR GOLD: Calgarys Water Centre and Cardel Place (inset) areexamples of LEED gold certified buildings. The city has mandated that all

of its large projects be built with the goal of achieving this standard


16/32


17/32


18/32


19/32


renewed interest from investors. Some projects put on hold in

2009 will now go ahead, including Stage 3 of Suncors Firebag

project, Imperial Oils Kearl Lake development and Phase 2 of

Canadian Natural Resources Horizon project. Syncrude Canada

has also announced plans to continue with the expansion of its

Mildred Lake upgrading facility and more projects will li kely be

announced in the future.

Theres quite a bit of cautious optimism in the oil sands

industry right now. We are seeing a heavy oil margin that is very

favourable for bitumen producers. Thats why you are seeing a

lot of lower capital expenditure projects coming back. They are

less capital intensive upfront so they are the first ones to come

off the shelf, says Travis Davies, spokesperson for the Canadian

Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

The optimistic outlook for the oil sands is being tempered by

the seeming inability of some industries to snap out of the reces-

sion. Residential house construction is still weak and natural gas

in Alberta could face a long-term slump as more supply enters

the marketplace from technology that makes it profitable to tap

into new gas supplies across North America.

Its not all rosy. There are sectors that are not bouncing back.

The petrochemical industry is suffering, the forestry industry

is suffering, natural gas is suf fering. It was a pretty sobering

year in 2009, but if we can squeeze through 2010, we think 2011

should be better, says Brad Anderson, executive director of the

Construction Owners Association of Alberta.

The provincial government could play a pivotal role in the

economy as well. The province approved a $4.7-billion defi-

cit in this year s budget, which helped it maintain $7.2 billion

in infr astructure spendin g for 2010-2011 and allowed it to

freeze ta xes. That spending will create some short-term spin-

offs for the construction industr y, but even more important

over the long term is the future of royalty r ates and regula-

tions in the energ y sector.

Jack Mintz, director of t he School of Public Policy at the

University of Calgary, released a study in February comparing

royalty rates and corporate taxes in Alberta, Saskatchewan,

British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Texas.


20/32


The global recession of 2009 may go down in history

books as one of the most severe since the Great Depression, but

Albertas construction industry seemed almost immune to the crisis.

Residential house construction in the province did suffer an imme-

diate and severe downturn, but the commercial and industrial sec-tor was relatively strong considering the collapse in global demand

and prices.

When compared to other recessions, the downturn in 2009 was

downright mild. In Alberta, much of that strength can be attributed to

the continued development of the oil sands and government stimu-

lus projects. We were really busy in 2008, so some of that carried

through to last year, says George Gritziotis, executive director of the

Construction Sector Council.

If you look back to 1976 up until now, a good unemployment rate

in the construction industry was anywhere between 10 per cent

and 12 per cent. Unemployment in 2009 was 11 per cent. During the

recessions of 1981 and 1990, our unemployment rates were around20 per cent. It hit a peak of about 30 per cent in 1981. If you put it in

context, even though things slowed down, they didnt slow down

to historic levels.

Unfortunately, 2010 may end up being more challenging for

the industry. Many members of the Alberta Regional Council of

Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW) were busy in 2009, but

they may have to tighten their belts in 2010. Some big projects like the

Shell Scotford expansion, with 1,100 ARCCAW workers, will be nearing

completion this year.

We didnt really feel the brunt of the recession in 2009, which is a bit

of an anomaly, but it could get a little rocky here in the second half of

2010. We have some big jobs finishing in mid- year so it might be tough

sledding for a bit. I think the back part of 2011 and going forward, things

will start to really pick up. We will have to sharpen our pencils and work

with our contractors to become the labour provider of choice, says

ARCCAW executive secretary treasurer Mar tyn Piper.

I dont think its desperate by any stretch, but I dont think we will

do the volume we have over the last few years. There have been some

announcements in the oil sands, but some of the large projects that

were shelved are not back on the drawing board at this point. People

are working, so they should just hang on to what what they have. Dont

go looking for big hours or big money. We have to be steady as we go.

In most cases, Alberta was last in terms of competitiveness for

oil and gas.

Contrary to some public perception, the oil and gas sectors,

including the oil sands, are much more highly taxed than other sectors

in the Alber ta economy, says Mintz. The c urrent royalty regime cre-

ates a burden on investment that is twice as high on oil and gas com-

pared to other sectors in the economy. The oil sands is treated better

than the conventional side, but it still bears a higher burden than other

industries.To address the issue, the Alberta government is reviewing its cur-

rent policy framework and is expected to release the results of that

review in March. Industry leaders are crossing their fingers, hoping

the province implements major reforms to make it more profitable to

do business here.

Alberta is the energy basket of the world. Probably nowhere on

earth is there such a concentration of energy and resources when you

combine oil sands, uranium, coal, and oil and gas. We have it all here.

We should be the world leader in energy resource production and were

not. Why is that? asks Anderson.

Fundamentally, the provincial and federal governments have to

signal they want to be in the business of natural resource productionagain. They need to restore the confidence level for investors, and Im

not sure if that has really been done. The provincial government is tak-

ing steps to make us competitive again, vis-a-vis royalty rates and tax

rates, and that should probably be enough to drive the economy for-

ward. There are indications of construction expansion in the future,

but were not over the hump yet.

Unless an unexpected collapse in the world economy drives down

demand and prices for commodities, Albertas construction industry

should be well positioned for the future. In fact, the real challenge for

industry in the near future could be

the return of labour shortages.

We are losing anywhere between 1.5 per cent and two per cent

of our workforce to retirement. With just retirement alone, and not

including new construction, over our nine-year outlook we could lose

anywhere between 150,000 and 160,0 00 workers across Canada to

retirement. Add in new construction activity and maintenance activ-

ity, and we will have a requirement of close to 300,000 workers, says

Gritziotis.

The good news is I think we will be less reactive going forward

than we have been in the past. Essentially, we have to ensure we have

the training capacity out there to bring in apprentices who are trained.

The industry is better prepared to respond to that challenge than it has

been in the past.

Recession? What Recession?


21/32


REGISTRATION FEE:$125/player (includes green fees, power cart, prizes and BBQ steak dinner)

Name:

Phone: ( ) Fax: ( )

Enter team(s) of golfers at $500/team (4 players at $125 each). Team would include:

(All foursomes will be chosen from pairs or singles)

1) Phone: ( )

2) Phone: ( )

3) Phone: ( )

4) Phone: ( )

FOR CORPORATE DONORS:

Our organization would like to offer our support in finding the cure for Juvenile Diabetes

by contributing the following cash and/or prizes to the 10th Annual Barrie Regan Golf

Tournament:

A L B E R T A R E G I O N A L C O U N C I L O F C A R P E N T E R S A N D A L L I E D W O R K E R S

Legends Golf & Country Club53541 Range Road 232, Sherwood Park, AB

Registration: 6:45-7:45 a.m. Shotgun Start, Texas Scramble: 8 a.m.

Sponsor a hole: $150 with the right signage at the hole

Provide a corporate donation of:

$100 $150 $200 $250 $ (other)

Provide prizes:

PLEASE RESPOND BY FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2010

Fax form to: (780) 474-8910 Phone: (780) 474-8599

Make cheque payable to: Alberta Regional Council of Car penters and Allied Workers

Mail to: Linda Helmeczi, Alberta Regional Council, 15210 123 Avenue,

Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3

All proceeds go to the Juvenile Di abetes Foundation

1)

4)

2)

5)

3)

6)

R E G I S T R AT I O N F O R M Fax by July 9, 2010


22/32

Masters

of Their Craft

ByLisa Ricciotti

The second part of a two-part series profiling ARCCAW industrial shops across Alberta

ast issue, we began our spotlight on

ARCCAWs industrial and manufacturingplants across the province with profiles onATCO Structures & Logistics, Graymont WesternCanada, PTI Travco Modular Structures, Sunac

Woodwork and Metal Work, and Lafarge PrecastConcrete. This issue concludes our series as we fea-ture more unique shops. From builders of massive

bridges, to innovative next-generation modularhomes, to flying form trusses that revolutionizedthe concrete shoring market, each company employs

workers who represent the diversity of the AlbertaRegional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers.


L


23/32

When: 1959

What: Manufacturer of residential windows and doors

Where: Calgary

Who: 300+ employees including production workers, shipping and

receiving and admin staff

Listen in on employee conversations at any of Ply Gems three

shops in Calgary, and youll hear an amazing r ange of languages.

We have at least 15 different cultures here, says Philip Banh, a Ply

Gem door-builder who himself is fluent in English, Vietnamese andChinese. We all speak English on the floor, but during breaks or

lunch youll hear everyth ing.

Whats really interesting about Ply Gem is the diversity of its

employees, says Martyn Piper, ARCCAWs executive secretary

treasurer. Its a real melting pot, with workers from all over

Ethiopians, Sudanese, Somalis, East and West Indians, Chinese,

Vietnamese, Brits and native Canadians. Leonia Vieira, a 23-year-

employee in window production, can add a few more countries

to Pipers list. Im from Portugal and we also have workers from

Greece, Spain and Chile, Vieira says.

Regardless of their birthplace, Ply Gem staff members are united

by one common goal producing premium windows and doors.Were not the cheapest, but were one of the best, says Vieira.

Thats whats kept us in business so long. Banh adds that dur-

ing his 11 years with the company, hes seen its name change three

times, most recently in January from CWD Windows & Doors to

Ply Gem: Its not a big deal, though, because management and our

priority to be No. 1 in quality stay the same. In fact, Ban h says hes

proud to have Ply Gem windows in his own home.

He credits his employer for hiring him without a formal Canadian

education, then giving him a chance to grow. Theyve always given

me more challenges, Banh notes. Ive learned so much; Im devel-

oping real talent. I cant believe what I can do now.

Vieiras also worked in different areas over the years, learning

new skills. She c urrently has three different roles, including weld-

ing operation. I work in PVC, says Vieira. But we make doors and

windows using wood, aluminum, steel we do it all, including cus-

tom work. Youll see our products at Totem and Home Depot and we

also deal directly with contractors.

Quality has remained a constant at Ply Gem, but both Banh and

Vieira mention one notable change in recent years: a happier work

environment since the shop unionized in 2005. The unions made

a difference, says Banh. We get higher wages, but just as impor-

tant, theres more respect. Its better here now.

Ply Gem


Westman Steel

When: 1976

What: Steel building design and manufacturing, including steel

roofing and siding

Where: Airdrie

Who: 15 employees including mill and heavy equipment opera-

tors, labourers and admin staff

A company doesnt make Canadas 50 Best Managed Companies list

without doing something right and Westman Steels found itself at

the top of that elite ranking twice. In both 1997 and 2002, WestmanSteel Industries was voted the Best Managed Private Company in

Canada by the prestig ious awards program. Today, Westman proudly

calls itself a repe at member of the programs Platinum Club, an exclu-

sive category reserved for past winners that have achieved Best

Managed status for at least six consecutive years.

What does all that mean to employees like Bob Sawatzky, the lead

hand in shipping and receiving at Westmans Airdrie plant? Simply

put, after 35 years with Westman, Sawatzky still enjoys going to work

every day. Westmans a very good company to work for, Sawatzky

says. Its well-managed, clean and they treat all employees with the

utmost respect.

Sawatzky has seen many changes over three-and-a-half decades atWestman. Technologys improved, and the new equ ipment is more

efficient, for improved operations, he notes. Operating our machin-

ery takes special skills, and we have very good staff. The companys

also grown, and now has six locations across Western Canada, rang-

ing from Langley, B.C., to company headquarters in Brandon, Man.

Since our Airdrie location is central, we act as a distribution point for

all sites, says Sawatzky.

Although Westman Steel has always been strong in the agricultural

and commercial markets, with its extra-strong roofing and siding

used everywhere from barns and sheds to arenas and grocery stores,

its currently enjoying new attention from residential builders. Eco-

minded homeowners are discovering steels sustainability benefits as

a 100 per cent recyclable material that lasts two to three times longer

than conventional roofing products, while reducing energy require-

ments. With 25 colours to choose from in a variety of finishes, steel

roofing is also an attractive option. Add in better resistance to mil-

dew, decay and discoloration, as well as increased fire protection, and

its not surprising that steels turn ing up on top of more new homes

than ever.

Thats all good news for longtime employees like Sawatzky.

Westmans well-known for its quality, Sawatzky says. But where

we really excel is our turnaround. Delivery time from ordering to

receiving is exceptional. We really stand above our competitors there.


24/32

Aluma Systems splits into two divisions. Alumas industrial serv ices

division provides industrial scaffolding built to occupational health

and safety standards. A lumas concrete construction division, on the

infrastructure services side, provides high-efficiency concrete form-

ing and shoring for projects rangi ng from hotels and stadiums to air-

ports and power plants.

Rick Moran looks after the scaffolding side of operations in Alberta,

and as director and general manager, he notes the companys reputa-

tion is built on forward-think ing and safet y. Innovation is the cor-

nerstone of our success, says Moran. Alumas created many unique

scaffolding components which have won awards for productivity and

safety. Our big challenge is constantly raising the bar on safety, stay-ing on top of new government and client regulations.

Aluma supplies three types of industrial scaffolding, depend-

ing on site requirements: frame and brace, tube and clamp, and

its famed Sure Lock system. As for how high up scaffolding goes,

the skys the limit. Heights range from small step-up units to the

160-foot landing platform we recently designed to repair one of

Syncrudes boilers, Moran explains. And its all cold-weather

tested for our northern climate. Many of Alumas Alber ta clients

are in the energy sector, and upcoming projects include scaffolding

for Shell and Total bitumen upgraders near Fort Saskatchewan and

for North West near Redwater.

Gary Hil l is plant manager of Aluma concrete divisions five-acre

yard in Edmonton, which supplies whatever contractors need for

on-site concrete forming and shoring. Building a structure from

wet concrete is like baking a layer cake, he explains. We provide

the supporting equipment for floor and walls, the concretes poured

and hardens, then we move up to the next level.

Traditional formwork is done using timber and plywood, but

Aluma specializes in prefabricated formwork systems with metal

frames. These are engineered for a sites specific needs and have

several significant advantages over wood: they allow for faster

construction, are more durable and have a lower life-cycle cost.

An impressive unit thats remained Alumas leading truss systemfor more than 30 years is an a luminum beam called the flyi ng form

truss. Pioneered in 1972, Alumas first year of operation, the fly ing

truss changed the face of the industry, says Hill. Its lighter weight

allows builders to move panels four times larger than previously

possible.

Recent examples of projects constructed with Aluma concrete

formwork are Calgarys Olympic skating oval, Anthony Henday

Drives bridges and overpasses, and many University of Alberta

buildings. To see some of those flying trusses in action, head to the

Edmonton Clinic North or Edmonton Clinic South at the U of A,

where the layer-cake process is still underway.

Aluma Systems

Lafarge Northern Alberta Region Edmonton Plant Drainage Systems

When: 1947

What: Concrete pipe

Where: Edmonton

Who: 40 to 80 employees, including welders, crane and machine operators,

concrete finishers, forklift operators, millwrights, carpenters and labourers

When: 1972

What: Industrial scaffolding and concrete forming and shoring

Where: Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray

Who: For scaffolding production: 1,400 field employees and 60 full-time

staff, including carpenters, scaffolders, insulators, cladders, painters and blasters.

For concrete formwork: 30 employees including carpenters and yard workers.

Lafarge has two plants in Edmonton. One produces precast con-

crete for northern Alberta markets, which was featured in our win-

ter issue. The second location is responsible for concrete pipe used

in underground water management, including sanitar y systems,

storm drainage and catch basins. We make pipe ranging from 10

inches to 10 feet, explains general manager Prez Skiba. Some of

that 10-foot pipe is used by oil sands clients including Suncor and

Syncrude, to move surface water from mining production areas to

tailings ponds. Or, concrete pipe of various sizes is buried under

streets and residential areas for run-off storage or municipal sew-

ers. In 2007, an a ll-new 100,000-square-foot plant with a 25-acre

storage yard was built just off Yellowhead Highway, featuring the

latest technology in vibration method production. A flying bucket

on rails drops dry cast concrete, a mixture of cement and aggregate,

into moulds. Then its vibrated about five minutes until solid, says

Skiba. We also upgraded our equipment in 2007 to add automatic

steel reinforcing welding machines, so we can produce reinforced

concrete pipe. The result is a very durable product with a lifespan of

75 to 100 years.

He says things have slowed down a bit, with not as many residen-

tial subdivision projects underway, but adds: Weve just completed

groundwork for a large residential highrise building in downtown

Edmonton and are busy with the Highway 21 expansion and the

southeast section of Edmontons Anthony Henday ring road.



25/32

Armtech

When: 1949

What: Precast and pre-stressed concrete structural components

Where: Edmonton and Calgary

Who: 200 employees, including carpenters, crane and mixer

drivers, rebar benders, cage assemblers, welders and labourers

When it comes to precast concrete, Armtec is used to thinking big.

Formerly Con-Force Structures, the companys name changed in early

2010 with its acquisition by Armtec, but its focus remains the same:

manufacturing and installing precast, pre-stressed concrete com-ponents for large infrastructure and architectural projects. When

Syncrude needed a massive tunnel built under a heavy-haul oil sands

road near Fort McMurray, Armtec responded with 22 prefabricated

concrete arches each weighing 79,000 kilograms and standing 5.1

metres high, 14.3 metres long and 2.4 metres wide. For Calgarys Bow

River bridge, Armtec used the longest expanse of NU girders in any

project to date, with 65-metre centre spans tipping the scales at 130

tonnes each. Armtec made and installed 3,500-plus concrete panels for

the 52-storey Bankers Hall towers in downtown Calgary, and Calgary

International Airports large parkade was all engineered, manufactured

and erected by Armtec.

We have two structural factories in Alberta, a 22-acre plant inCalgary and a 20-acre plant in Edmonton, says John Moody, the prai-

rie region vice-president. We mix our own concrete at the plants using

local cement and aggregate. Then we build horizontally, pouring con-

crete into forms laid flat, some of which are custom-built by carpenters

for unique design specifications. After curing, cranes lift the final prod-

uct into the yard, then oversized trucks transport beams, double tees,

columns, spandrels, arch panels and other units to sites for installation.

Precast concrete components are reinforced with either convention-

al rebar, strands with high-tensile strength or a combination of both.

Strands are pre-tensioned in formwork before concrete is poured, then

cut, or de-tensioned, after curing. This causes strands to bond to the

concrete, applying a compressive force which increases strength and

decreases cracking and allows for the creation of slabs and beams with

a much longer span than those made of concrete alone.

Moody notes that due to the economic downturn, Bridge projects

have tailed off. Thats significant, since Armtec pioneered the use of

precast, pre-stressed concrete in bridgework in Western Canada, and

bridges accounted for almost half of its western activities in 2006. But

Alberta employees are still busy. Projects underway include the Anthony

Henday Drive expansion, a new recreational building and stadium in

Okotoks, another parkade for the Calgary airport, the first Lowes big

box store in Calgary and a new Canada Olympic Park skating arena.

Even with fewer bridges at the moment, Armtec is still thinking big.


When: 1981

What: Manufactured and modular housing

Where: Lethbridge

Who: 200 employees including carpenters, plumbers, electricians,

roofers, drywallers and production workers

The Trailer Park Boys are not the kind of clientele who buy a Triple M

modular home. As Bruce Payne, ARCCAWs shop rep for the privately

owned, independent company puts it, You could put a Triple M home

in a high-end neighbourhood and it would look right at home.Triple M Housing does produce mobile homes, but as finance man-

ager Carl Miller notes, Weve gone well beyond the traditional sin-

gle-wide trailers. Miller says many of the modular housing units are

20 feet by 76 feet, or equivalent to a 1,520-square-foot home. Triple M

produced its first manufactured home just three years after the com-

pany began, and this next-generation version of mobile homes is what

the award-winning company is best known for today.

Miller says theres really only one difference between its factory-

engineered homes and a traditional house: instead of being built on

site, a Triple M home is constructed in the companys state-of-the-art

facility in Lethbridge. Thats a selling point for many rural custom-

ers, who find it costly or impossible to entice contractors beyond citylimits. A Triple M home overcomes that obstacle, often at a lower

cost. Today we can offer more options too, says Miller. Were build-

ing larger homes with more choices in overall design and floor plans.

Owners can also customize the interior, choosing their own cabinetry,

flooring and other finishes. Homeowners can also choose to have their

units configured from several modules for more complicated designs,

and can even select a two-storey Cape-Cod-style model with a high

pitched roof.

With so many advantages, its not surprising Tr iple M con-

structs about 800 manufact ured homes annually. Aside from

one-family dwellings, Tr iple M also builds duplexes, multi-

plexes and community row housing. It has even built

apartment buildings in Grande Prairie and a 90-

room hotel in Fort McMurray. We can do

amazing things, says Miller. We have a

skilled, steady workforce that includes

a couple of our original employees.

Himself a 16-year company man,

Miller has no plans to leave any

time soon. Obviously he

and Triple M Housing

have lots of room for

growth yet.

Triple M Housing Ltd.


26/32


27/32


KidZone

The Green SceneWhat makes a building green?

Well, it has nothing to do with the paint colour (although emerald and teal can look

quite nice against a blue sky). A green building is one that saves water, saves energy

and helps protect the environment and your health. Take a tour and find out how.

What does your lunchbox have in common

with one of the worlds tallest buildings?

Well, the Shanghai Tower will have an inside

and outside wall that acts like a ther-

mos to insulate it and save energy.

At 632 metres, it will be the tallest

building in China and second tallest

in the world.

Steel is one of the

most recycled mate-

rials in the world.

Why? Mostly because

its cheaper and eas-

ier to recycle than

make it from scratch.

The steel recycled

in Canada each year

saves enough energy

to power 2.7 million

households.

Non-toxic paints andsealers keep the indoorair healthy

Bike racks encouragepeople to use greenerways to get around

High-quality windows andgood insulation save energy

Solar panels capture energyfrom the sun and turn itinto heat and electricity

Waterless urinals and low-flush toilets save water

Landscaping that uses plants that arenative to the area equals less watering

Natural sunlight means less

need to switch on the lights,which saves energy

Fun Facts1

2

6

9

7

3 4

5

8

10

across

down

Test your smarts with thiscrossword puzzle

Living plants and soilon the top of a buildingabsorb, collect and reuserainwater


28/32


raining in 2010 was off to a busy start. In

January and February, three 1-Day Rigging

Courses, two Gas Turbine Familiarization

courses, two 16-Hour Millwright Safety courses, one

Compressor Intake 1 and one Compressor Intake 2

courses were held at the Alberta Millwright Training

Centre. Two courses were al so put on by Reppsco

Services, covering Flange Facing, Controlled Bolting

and Hydro-Testing Plugs. As well, there were t wo 3-Day

Rigging courses put on by NAIT and held off site. This

brought the total number of members participating in

training to 154 or 1,243 man hours for these two months.

Seven members also went to the International TrainingCenter in Las Vegas for Turbine Training.

Starting March 8, we have five participants in the

Apprentice Pre-Employment Program held in conjunc-

tion with Tradewinds to Success Training Society.

We welcome Stephan Buffalo, Desiree Church, Peter

Gopher, Craig Wolfe and Jensen Sinclair to our fac il-

ity. They will be participating in an eight-week program

instructed by Dave Knight. Once their training is complete, they will be

dispatched to job sites and begin the rest of their probationary period with

our local.

Many thanks to our trainers, Dave Knight, Jim Archer and Cliff Buller, for

their dedication to our training program. These instructors are in the processof developing a Steam Turbine Course, a Laser Alignment Course and a Flow

Serve Pump Course that we hope to offer this fall.

We plan to continue partnering with industry to provide value-added train-

ing that meets the demands placed on us by our contractors and clients.

REPORTLocal 1460 Millwrights

Bob Hugh, Senior Business

Representative - Millwrights

Training Evolves toMeet New Demands

T

In Memoriam

LEARNING CURVE: Reppsco training at

the Millwrights Provincial Training Centre

LOCAL 1325

John BalmerJanuary 2010,Age 86

Robert Beaudoin

September 2009,Age 51Nick Bobryk

February 2009,Age 85

John BoykoMay 2009,Age 93

Billy DoheyApril 2009,Age 38

Thomas EatonJuly 2009,Age55

Harold EckertFebruary 2009,Age 83

Brendan GaultonJune 2009, Age 70

James GoodwinAugust 2009,Age 29

Anton GraupJune 2009, Age 75

Barrie HardieMarch 2009, Age 89

Shane HowarthJuly 2009,Age 42

Darrell HunterJune 2009,Age 63

Victor JohnsonMay 2009, Age 83

Stephen KrewusikAugust 2009,Age 54

Vernon LadouceurJune 2009,Age 77

Malcolm MitchellMay 2009,Age 58

Ryan PearsonDecember 2009,Age 24

Dylan ReadOctober 2009,Age 20

Christian RodrigueNovember 2009,Age 54

Devon RockJune 2009,Age 20

Robert RoyFebruary 2009,Age 53

Jose SantosSeptember 2009, Age 51

Stanley WalchukJuly 2009, Age 85


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ARCCAW notes with sorrow the passing of

the following members in 2009 and 2010.

John WilsonFebruary 2009,Age 95

LOCAL 2103

Cornelius DeJong

June 2009,Age 77Porter Genge

July 2009,Age 62

Mike GuilfoyleOctober 2009,Age 59

John KerekesJanuary 2010,Age 86

Larry KrentzMay 2009,Age 47

Louie MatternJune 2009,Age 80

Melville NeelandsFebruary 2010,Age 95

Kenneth PalmerDecember 2009,Age 69

Clayton RaudebaughMay 2009,Age 32

D. L. RichardsMay 2009,Age 92

Harry SytsemaOctober 2009,Age 81

Local 1460

Frank BuckreusAugust 2009,Age 65

Don BurrellJuly 2009,Age 58

Stanley DaresFebruary 2009,Age 68

Murray DonaldsonJanuary 2009,Age 65

Frances LiewAugust 2009,Age 44

Thomas McLaughlinDecember 2009,Age 70

Dave QuigleyFebruary 2010,Age 68

Philip SmegalAugust 2009,Age 21

Farron SuttonSeptember 2009,Age 31

Gerard VandalFebruary 2010,Age 85

Sam WatsonJuly 2009,Age 65

www.nait.ca/cit

invest in your expertscorporate training for the real world

As innovation continues to change how people interact with technology,

analyze data and move business forward, theres never been a better

time to invest in training for your employees. NAIT Corporate and

International Training can help delivering relevant, timely training

designed to meet your needs.

Our expertise includes certicate programs and customizable courses in

Supervisory Development, Leadership, Project Management, AutoCAD,

Estimating, Trade-specic training, Information Technology and more.

Develop your future leaders. Call us today.

ph (780) 378.1230 email @.

corporate and

international training

_ _

Visit us online for a no-obligation home and auto insurance quote at:

www.marsh.ca/arccaw

1 877 476 67271 877 476 6727

Call Marshs Private Client Services at:

Preferred Group RatesExclusively forARCCAW Members

Preferred Group RatesExclusively forARCCAW Members

or watch your mail for more information to follow.

_ _


30/32

Calgary s Centre Street Bridge, shown here under construction in 1915, was bui lt to replace the

steel-trussed MacArthur Bridge, which was destroyed by f looding. Completed in December

1916, the new $375,000 concrete structure spann ing the Bow River featured an upper and lower

deck and four large cast concrete lions, two guarding each end of the bridge. In 1992, the bridge

was designated a municipal historic resource and in 1999-2000, it u nderwent an extensive

$6.7-million rehabilitation. The lions were replaced with new concrete replicas, but one of the

originals was fully restored and has a new home at the Municipal Plaza at Calgarys City Hall.

Landmark CrossingParting Shot



31/32

The Alberta Union of Provincial EmployeesYour Working People. www.aupe.org

With more than 73,000 members AUPE is Albertas largest

and strongest union. We work to get our members what

they deserve fair wages, safety and job security. In turn they

give Albertans what they deserve quality service.

73,000 Albertansserving 3,000,000 more.

_ _

Alberta Carpenters Training Centre

Weve trained North Americas

best scaffolders for 15 years.

The Alberta Carpenters Training

Centre has delivered its 3-year

Scaffolder Apprenticeship and Carpenter JM Upgrade

Scaffold Programs, as well as dozens of other safety and

skill training programs, to thousands of students in three

training centres Edmonton, Ft. McMurray & Calgary

since 1994.

Our new $23 million centre includes two state-of-

the-art scaffold shops, including one purpose-built to

accommodate suspended scaffolding.

ACTC-trained scaffolders work on some of the worlds

largest mega-projects. Many of the scaffolds they design

and build are unique, highly-complicated, and critical to

both human safety and worker productivity.

www.abcarptc.ab.ca

_ _


32/32

If you are sixty years of age or older and receiving a pension from the ACAWPension Plan and are working, effective May 2nd 2010 you will be able to receive

the pension contribution as part of your wages. In order to take advantage of this

option you must be in possession of your original retirement certificate which has

either been mailed to you or you can obtain one from the ACAW pension office.

Please read carefully the amendment to the collective agreement because this

dictates the process both you and the employer must follow to invoke this option.

Should you have any questions, regarding the above, please contact either myself

or the ACAW pension office.

Thank you,

Martyn A. Piperexecutive secretary treasurer

alberta carpenters and allied workers

Excerpted From the Alberta Provincial Carpenters Agreement:

19.07

Notwithstanding any provision of this Collective Agreement, if a Union Member is engaged in employment for which the

Employers contributions are to be made to the Plan, and the Employee is both sixty (60) years of age or older and is receiving a

pension from the Alberta Carpenters and Allied Workers Pension Plan of Alberta, the Union Member may make an application

to the Administrator of the Alberta Carpenters and Allied Workers Pension Plan of Alberta (ACAW Pension Plan), for the future

pension contributions that would otherwise be payable by the Employer to the ACAW Pension Plan, to be paid as wages

(including Holiday and Vacation Pay) directly to the Employee by the Employer.

If approved, the employee may be issued a Retirement Certificate for Pension Contributions to be paid as Wages from the

ACAW Pension Plan. An Employer may only pay contributions to wages as provided for in this Article if the Employee provides

the Employer with the original Retirement Certificate signed by two (2) representatives of the ACAW Pension Plan. Once

approved by the ACAW Pension Plan, this payment alteration cannot be revoked.

In no event will this create a greater hourly rate of compensation for the Employee paid by the Employer nor will it increase the

Employers total payroll burden due to changes in the wages which would result in greater Employer statutory contributions

(C.P.P., E.I., W.C.B). Accordingly increases in statutory contributions will be offset by reducing the amounts paid in wages.

The Employer will enact the provisions of this article within three (3) weeks of receiving the original of the Retirement

Certificate. Should the Employee be dispatched to another Employer the dispatch slip shall indicate the circumstances

regarding the workers situation under this provision and in addition the worker is to confirm this with the Employer at the

time of hire prior to commencing work by providing the Employer with the original of the Retirement Certificate.

Upon the approval of the ACAW Pension Plan of the Employees application for payment of the pension contribution as wages

to the Employee, and upon receipt by the Employer of the original Retirement Certificate, the Employer shall be relieved of

any obligation under the Collective Agreement and Plan to remit future pension contributions to the ACAW Pension Plan for

that approved Employee. There shall be no responsibility or liability on the Union to the ACAW Pension Plan in respect of an

an important message

From the Alberta Carpenters and Allied Workers Trust Fund

Regarding Pension Contributions to Be Paid as Wages

hard hat spring 2010

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