ibew newsletter june modi - majesky. workers compmajeskyworkerscomp.org/doc/articles/shoulder wsib...

JOINTPROPOSALVOTE RESULTSThe Joint Proposal vote wascounted December 13, 2006, andwas conducted by Local 353Retiree Robert Rynyk who was theElection Judge and he was assistedby three Local 353 retirees.

The vote count was also observedby a member of the Ontario LabourRelations Board and anInternational Representative fromthe I.B.E.W.

It was also observed by twenty-eight members of the I.B.E.W.Construction Council, from aroundthe province.

There were 5,616 votes cast andthe vote to accept was 4,534 infavour.

The vote to reject was 1,069against and 13 votes were spoiled.

Therefore, the proposal wasaccepted by 80.9% of themembers who voted.

The Local 353 vote was acceptedby 85.6% of 2,497 of ourmembers who voted.

Negotiations will now begin and willcontinue throughout January andFebruary in an effort to reachagreement prior to March 1, 2007.

There was an article in theToronto Star written by JamesDaw – Money Talk on January 6,2007 that is information that isimportant for our members. Someof these tax credits are the result ofus working with Ray Koskie tolobby the government over the past3 years and it has paid off.

TRY THESE CREDITS FORSOME TAX RELIEF

So many tax changes wereannounced in 2006, we could easilyforget what receipts to save duringNew Year’s cleaning, or to start tocollect for 2007.

New tax return packages that arenow arriving by mail might be putaside for weeks. So I’ll jog yourmemory, and pass on some tips anddetails to taxpayers targeted forrelief.

Business Manager/Financial Secretary’s Report by Joe Fashion

Man hours

OCTOBER, 2005 – 890,165OCTOBER, 2006 – 869,209

NOVEMBER, 2005 – 938,626NOVEMBER, 2006 – 951,356

News & ViewsN E W S L E T T E R • J a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7

103 years of service1377 Lawrence Ave. E., Toronto, ON, M3A 3P8

Tel 416-510-3530 • Fax 416-510-3531 • Info 416-510-3532 1-800-387-3533 • www.ibew353.org

(Continued on next page)

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PAGE 2 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2007

(Continued from cover page)

Transit users: Keep your receiptsfor monthly, or longer, transitpasses. You’ll get to claim afederal tax credit worth 15.25 percent of the cost for the final sixmonths of last year. (You’ll save15.5 per cent for up to 12 monthson your 2007 tax return.)

Tradespersons: If you boughttools as a certified condition ofemployment on or after May 2last year, up to the first $500 inexcess of the $1,000 cost may bededucted as an employmentexpense. You can also recoverthe goods and services tax on allsuch purchases during the year.Also effective May 2, 2006, self-employed tradespersons get toclaim a 100 per cent capital costallowance on up to $500 of tools,up from $200 before.

Apprentices: Remind youremployer that, as of last May 2,his company may have becomeeligible to claim a tax creditequal to 10 per cent or $2,000 ayear for your wages. Might be abonus in it for you.

Students: A new textbook credit -$65 for each month of full-timestudy, or $20 for part-time study –provides a small new reason to

save or print your tuition receiptsfor eligible post-secondary oroccupational training courses.

Plan to file a tax return even ifyou owe no taxes. Whateveramount of these credits you don’tneed to use in 2006 to eliminatetaxes may be shared with a taxablespouse, parent or grandparent, upto a $5,000 annual limit, orcarried forward to use later.

If you had income from scholarshipsor bursaries last year, none of it willbe taxable. Previously, only $3,000was tax-free.

Parents: Remember those $100-a-month Universal Child CareBenefit cheques that startedarriving last July? They are paidfor children under 6 if theresponsible adult receives orapplies for the Canada Child TaxBenefit, the Child Disability Benefitor, if not those, then the newUCCB.

The new benefit is not countedagainst the parent for determiningeligibility for federal, provincial orsocial benefits or for low-incometax credits, but it is taxable.Fortunately, the benefit is to bedeclared by the lower-incomespouse, who may not earn enoughincome to owe taxes.

Choose your children’s supervisedphysical activity carefully in 2007if you want to claim the newChildren’s Fitness tax credit ($500per able child up to 16, up to$1,000 per disabled child up to18). Think cardiovascularendurance, plus one or more ofmuscular strength or endurance,flexibility or balance.

This isn’t new, but Ontario remindsparents who may be eligible toapply for its tax-free Child CareSupplement for Working Families(up to $91.67 a month per childwith two parents, $109.17 withone) to file tax returns early if youwant to be considered.

Donors: You earned a charitabletax credit – and avoided any taxon capital gains on the publiclylisted securities, investment fundunits or economically sensitiveland – if you donated them, fromoutside a registered savings orincome fund, to an eligible charityor public body on or after May 2.

Seniors: You won’t need receipts,but the maximum credits for beingpast age 64 and for receivingprivate pension or regularretirement income were eachincreased by $1,000 for 2006.

For many, the total potentialsavings of up to $310 per personwould be enough to pay the “we-won’t-raise-your-taxes” healthpremium Ontario introduced in2004. Further savings will comeavailable in 2007 for couples ableto equalize their reported incomeby having the higher earner split fortax-reporting purposes the eligiblepension or retirement income withthe lower-income spouse.

Investors: Those residents whohold shares of Canadiancorporations outside a registeredsavings or income plan will payless tax to Ottawa, and to Ontarioand most other provinces, fordividends the corporationsdesignate as eligible for new taxtreatment in 2006. Your T3 or T5information slips will say whichdividends are eligible for anenhanced gross-up and dividendtax credit calculation.

All employees: Watch for thenew Line 363 on the federalportion of your tax return to claimthe new Canada EmploymentAmount, a non-refundable taxcredit of up to $250 for 2006. Itwill be $500 for all of 2007. ■

Fraternally

Joe Fashion

HOW’S YOUR

CERTIFICATE OF

QUALIFICATION?

The Ministry of Labour and ourown ESA Inspectors are checkinglicenses on the jobs; you must bea registered apprentice or alicensed journeyman to work onany electrical installation inOntario.

The worker and the employer canbe fined for non-compliance.January, 2007 brings in newregulations for permits onelectrical installations as well aswho is responsible to now takethe permit out. Visitwww.esainspection.net for moreinformation on the newregulations.

One of our organizing targets thisyear will be to expose the non-union contractors who are in non-compliance with the regulations.The General Contractor must alsobe held responsible for whom theyare allowing to do theirinstallations and this is where wecan better access the Ministry ofLabour.

Any job site that is suspect shouldbe identified and checked out.Please keep your BusinessRepresentatives informed of anyjob sites we can check out.

This means we must make surewe are up to date. Any memberwho is finishing theirapprenticeship or wants toupgrade their licence to an Inter-Provincial standard are invited totake the latest pre-exam courseput on by our own J.A.C. ■

Lets have a banner year.

George Smith

IBEW LOCAL 353 PAGE 3

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48 HOURPRE-EXAMPre-exam CourseInformation

In this course you will learn howto utilize your 2006 Canadiancode book to its full potential.You will understand thedifferences between the Ontarioand Canadian codes. You willlearn how to understand thequestions being asked in the exam.You will also learn examtechniques to maximize yourpotential during write time. Thiscourse is a thorough review ofyour on the job training, and tradeschool, making you a betterelectrician for years to come.

Course Name:48 Hour Pre-exam

Course #:JAC48PE-HO207.

Location:Humber College, Room N 102.

Length:48 Hours (8 – 6 hour classes)

Dates:February 10, 12, 17.March 3, 4, 17, 24, 25

Time:8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Exam:The week of March 26th allparticipants will write their C of Qexam in either the MississaugaPickering or Central MTCUbranch.

Pre-Requisites:You must have completedAdvanced Trade School, and mustbe within 300 hours of the end ofyour contract, and you must haveall safety courses completed byMarch 26th.

Course Fee:All Fees are to be Cheque only$80 Material Payable to the JAC(non refundable)$100 Payable to Minister ofFinance for your Exam$200.00 (deposit). Payable tothe JAC your cheque will bereturned upon 100% attendanceof the course and exam.

Very Important Update on newC of Q.

• November 27, 2006 new examstarted using the 2006Canadian Code Book.

• The Ministry (MTCU) at thesame time has shut down the

marking of exams for 3 weeksto implement the new ASAmonitoring program.

• How does the above statementaffect you? The MTCU havecapabilities now to closelymonitor your hours. You willbe able to register online andsee your total hours in regardsto your contract. They will alsobe able to monitor trade schooland your marks (includingfailures). Once your contracthours have been completed youmust have successfullycompleted trade school and thewriting of your exam. Failureto do so may result in thestoppage of work after areasonable amount of time.Fact: You are no longerconsidered an apprentice whenyour contract hours and tradeschool are complete. All theabove factors may result in thecancellation of contract, or notlet you work until you haveproduced your license.

• The Toronto JAC will beintroducing a policy to conformto this ruling. ■

CAUTIONLast month another of ourmembers was burned whileworking on live equipment.

This member was working with apartner tying in cable when theydecided to install a lug at thebottom of the MCC before theyturned the power off and whilethey were installing the lug thewrench he was using contacted alive buss bar creating a flash.

The member is now back to workbut this shows our members haveto be more careful when workingaround live equipment and be sureeverything within reach isdeenergized.

This is the seventh memberthat we know of that has beenburned this year, the largestnumber ever.

Whenever electrical SWITCHINGis required.

1. Prepare an Emergency ActionPlan & Job Briefing.

2. Notify all personnel at thefacility that are affected by theswitching.

3. Be sure that the cover(s) is/areclosed.

4. Disengage all of the loads thatare supplied by the switch.

5. Schedule and make sure that aperson is present duringswitching. This person must betrained in First Aid & CPR,and have also been briefed onthe Job Briefing andEmergency Action Plan. Theyare to be stationed outside theFlash Protection Boundary. Inthe event that you are injured,they will execute theEmergency Action Plan.

6. Put on all appropriatePersonal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE), that isproperly fitted, in goodcondition and rated for theincident energy exposureassociated with the potentialarc flash and the proximityto the flash.

* Hard Hats* Boots* Gloves* Arc Rated Full Face Shield* Hearing/Ear Protection* Rated Fire Retardant Clothing* Arc Rated Full Body Suit

(High Voltage)

7. Stand to the side of thedisconnect, so that none ofyour body parts are exposed.

8. Take a deep breath just priorto switching (this is to ensurethat there is enough air in yourlungs, so that if an arc flashwere to occur, you would nothave to take a breath until theflash dissipates, protectingyour lungs from the gaseousmetals that could damage ordestroy them). ■


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A recent headline in the “TorontoStar,” dated December 8th, stated“Boom lowered on higher ed.”Subtitled, “Canada lacks vision,training to compete globally, federalreport warns.” The article goes onto state that Canada is training toofew workers for today’s smarteconomy and, unless we set a planfor higher education, othercountries are going to “eat ourlunch”.

The article goes on to say,“Without a coast-to-coast blue-print for higher learning with sharpgoals for quality, affordability andaccess, Canada will be left behindby economies on nearly every othercontinent.”

Recently, I attended a planningsession put on by the OntarioProvincial government, titled,Labour Market Planning. The focussessions worked toward findingways to keep Ontario competitive,

while addressing the concerns ofyouth and new Canadians. All ofthe players around the table haddifferent approaches and ideas onhow to prepare Ontario and Canadafor the future but, the mainmessage was to put strongemphasis on apprenticeshiptraining. It was pointed out fromthe building trade unions presentthat we have been in theapprenticeship “business” for overone hundred years and we think weknow “a little bit” about theproblems surroundingapprenticeship and how to solvethem.

Our union apprentices not only haveto compete in the workplaceagainst non-union apprentices butthey must also compete againstgovernment funded agencies thatare trying to place workers intowell paying occupations. The unioncan only undertake to train acertain amount of apprentices peryear but, the agencies foremployment try and push as manyas possible through the system.Some examples are Co-op DiplomaApprenticeship Training, Ontario

Youth Apprenticeship Program andApprenticeship Scholarships. All ofthese feed the non-union withgenerally inferior skill sets andlower wages. Unions think the wayto help Canadian youth is not toassign them to low wage unfaircontractors.

Some of the positions the unionsexpressed were, that it did no one aservice to flood the market withcheap untrained labour. The endresult would be a poorly trainedworkforce. It was suggested thatthe incentive given to employers tohire apprentices should be given oncompletion of the apprenticeship,not at the start. To give it at thebeginning only encourages unfaircontractors to cheat the system.Also, the standard in most tradesshould be raised from grade ten toa grade twelve diploma. How cananyone expect to have peoplecapable of passing trade schoolwith a grade ten education?Typically, the non-union hires poorlyeducated workers for short lowwage periods, promising themapprenticeships, and then tossesthem on the trash heap. It’s not

by Barry Stevens



the workers’ fault; the system is setup to allow employers to mistreatworkers.

The problem of supplying trainedworkers becomes even moredifficult as the “Boomers” willsoon be exiting the work place. Youcan’t just hire more apprentices toreplace retiring workers becausethe ability to train them properlywill be stretched to the limit. Alsoyou will create the same problem tobe solved forty years down the line.This is called the “Echo Effect.”Some of you will no doubt haveread the book titled “Boom, Bustand Echo” and will recognize theconundrum that we are creating ifwe don’t get it right. Workers mustbe evenly placed across the boardso that no one age group isnecessarily larger than another.Some of this can be solved throughorganizing but this does notalleviate the problem entirely.

Coupled with the real challengeswe face with apprenticeship is thefurther education of our presentworkforce. Recently, the formerFederal Liberal government had aplan on training funds that allowedfor training facilities to apply forfunds that had to be matched bydollar for dollar. We are lucky that

the membership of our local agreesto adequately fund our education.A part of the credit goes to thevision of Business Manager JoeFashion, Consultant Ray Koskieand Brother Lee Caprio. We hadalso planned a second applicationfor about the same amount whenthe Federal Conservatives came topower with a minority government.They axed the training fund andfuture training of skilled workers tothe marketplace. In fact, theythink they can solve the problem bybringing in foreign workers insteadof training Canadians for thosejobs. The Harper Conservativestalk about the competitive roles ofCanada in the global economy butthey don’t deliver. Giving taxbreaks to mostly the wealthydoesn’t make us competitive. Whatworks is training Canadians to dothe jobs that exist now and in thefuture.

The problem is further exacerbatedby the fact that while our union hasthe funds to train our members,other occupations and markets donot have our advantage. In theend, business will not locate inCanada or Ontario if the skilledworkforce is not in place toperform the tasks needed. As youcan clearly see, we ourselves must

have a broader vision on whatneeds to be done and how to secureour jobs now and into the future.Our leadership must develop afocused plan and speak to theseissues. During the next decade wemust elect not only progressivegovernments but also unionleadership that will deal with thesetough issues. Our future cannot bebased on a popularity poll butleaders who can deal with thedifficult job at hand. We must, asalways, stand up to governmentswho ignore workers’ best interestsand who threaten our futureworkplace through theirindifference. ■

Fraternally,

Barry Stevens

Last month, I went down and tooksome pictures at the WEST ONEPROJECT, which is located atSpadina Avenue and Lakeshore.On any given day there will be slab

work, roughing-in, finishing, firealarm testing and much more. Allin a days work for Brothers JerryRovito (General Foreman), RoccoPelle (Foreman),Tom Hesketh(Foreman) Leo Fogale (AssistantForeman) land Eduardo Boccardi(Site Superintendent).

In my conversation with JerryVotio, I found out a few factsabout this very large residential

project, probably the biggest onegoing on in the province. This issecond phase of a six-phaseproject, which has been on goingsince August, 2003. The job isactually on both sides of SpadinaAvenue.

Here are some facts about thisvery large project. Phase One onthe east side of Spadina, which has1635 suites ranging from 540 sq.


Tony Pacheco, Francisco Marroquin, Alex Valdes, Mike Botas, Edmond Vangjeli, Josif Golloshi, Allan Mohammed,Christian Hortua, Konstanti Kariotis, Michael Ferguson, Darren Brown, David Kristiansen, Kevin Panchuk, GiulioForlingieri, Fredrick Rodrigues, Colin Townsend, Myles Henderson, Kocho Sterjovski, Chris Tolkin, Jeff Hennigar, SeuSookaree, John Saramago, Loreto Panacci, Brian Beadle, Sebastian Lukaszek, Keith Brown, Eduardo Boccardi (SiteSuperintendent), Jerry Rovito (General Foreman), Zygmunt Krawiec, Roque Pelle (Foreman), Tom Hesketh (Foreman), LeoFogale (Assistant Foreman).

by Bill Acorn


ft to 1340 sq ft. It consists offour towers and one loft, withmanpower peaking at 60 menduring occupancy. Phase Twoalso has four towers and one loft,ranging from 56 stories down to anine storey loft, with 2063 suites.Each phase has one mainelectrical room, four sub-electrical rooms, one main Telustelephone room and two crossover rooms. The power coming inis 13,800 volts fused at 600amps, with too many sub-roomsto mention.

As mentioned earlier, this job hasbeen on going since 2003 and willcontinue for possibly another sixmore years. With my guess of

over 250,000 man hours for thefirst two phases, this can reachclose to one million man hours,when all six phases arecompleted. A great job well doneby Jerry Rovito and all of hissupport staff.

In closing, I would like to takethis opportunity to mention aboutthe lunch room facilities, we aretrying to make this sector betterfor all members. Some lunchrooms are not fit for animals, it’sup to some of the leaders outthere to help clean this up.

Lets get the respect we deserve,we have to start some where, Ihave been on the job for two and

half years and even though thereare some improvements, there is along way to go, our workers outthere deserve better.

Remember to e-mail me [email protected] if youwould like to see your jobprofiled. ■

GENERATOR ROOMLeft to Right Eduardo Boccardi (Site Superintendent), Tom Hesketh (Foreman), JerryRovito (General Foreman), and Bill Acorn.

353

WHAT AGREATPARTY!!!!!We had a fabulous day onDecember 9th, 2006 at theInternational Centre with over3,000 in attendance, this yearsChristmas Party was one of thebest. We had air brush, tattooartists; face painting clowns,balloon clowns, walking clowns,along with lots of popcorn, candyfloss, snow cones, gingerbreadmen, Christmas cake, juice, andpop.

The Bowmanville Zoo came withsome animals to see and touch.We also had an InternationalSkipping Team who showed us theropes and let us try our skills atjumping. The magical act wasterrific as well and our D.J. whohad all the kids young and old,singing and dancing to all theChristmas tunes.

Santa made his appearance about3:30 p.m. and everyone enjoyedthe great gifts.

Many thanks to all those whohelped out with this great event.This party could not have takenplace without the dedication andhelp of you and our members andtheir families.

We have come to count on thosemembers and families who showup at 7:30 a.m. to unload thetruck and set up the presents,those members and their familieswho take the time to help us setup the hall and assemble theelectric cars and bikes and otherprizes. Those members and theirfamilies who come out and bepart of our army of helpers at thetables and who operate theequipment.

Special thanks to Mark Steeneand family who always supply ourpopcorn, candy floss and snowcones.

Special thanks to Sal Gaglianoand the Ontario Provincial Policefor their continuing support andto be part of our activities.

Most of all thanks to all ourmembers who contributeparticipate and make this allpossible. The Toronto 410Scouts, and other greatvolunteers: Nicole Belanger,Leanna Uccello, Olivia Uccello,Aurora Hamilton, MonicaCoombs, Candace Gabel, RachelMervin, Shelby Clarke, Andrea DeAngelis, Karen Miccoli, AlyssaCarbonaro, Lindsay Taylor,Christina Lucchesi, BrittanySwinnerton, Drago, StefanoLucchesi, Vincenzo Miccoli,

Lauren Morettin, BenjaminMervin, Meaghan Leigh, LeannaDametto, Gabriel Morettin,Samantha Teskey, Amanda Teskey,Chris Sheeren, Olivia Uccello,Jenny Irons, Charlie Irons,Stephanie Gagnon, BarryAtkinson, Shirley Atkinson,Richard Atkinson, Greg Maynard,Twylla Atkinson, KatlynnThompson, Zoe Thompson, BruceThompson, Annunzio De Angelis,Tony Santia,Travis Carbis, CherylCarbis, Alexandra Darragh,Adrianna Teskey, JamesWarburton, Adam Rumball,Logan Carbis, Shannon,TianaBailey, David Tevone Wright,Steven Wadden, Calvin, Kevin,Edward Nguyen, Amber DiSanto,Andrea DiSanto, Jessica Craig,Norma DiSanto, Ellen Mervin,Earl Mervin, Rachel Mervin,Benjamin Mervin, Nathan Cook,Haley Cook, Amber McDonald,Ron Lehman, Drew Lehman,Nicole Blackwell, SydneyBlackwell, Alessandre Losiggio,Vittoria Losiggo, JustinCarbonaro,Theresa Carbonaro,Gabriel Morettin, LaurenMorettin, Nancy Smith, AdrianaSwinnerton, Mary Lougheed, JeffIrons,Ted Szwec, Dave Cake, PatHamilton, Robert White, RudyLucchesi, Nino Digiandomenico,Tony Chiappetta ■


353


UNION COUNSELLORSMAKE A DIFFERENCELabour Community Services:A project of the Toronto and York Region LabourCouncil in partnership with the United Way ofGreater Toronto

The Union Counsellor training provides you with:

➪ Information and referral skills➪ Good listening, confidentiality and

communication skills➪ Union and Community services

The Union Counsellor offers the followingservices:

➪ Helps members over and above what is providedin the Collective Agreement

➪ Links members when they face personal andfamily problems with appropriate resources

The Union Counsellor Program will equip youwith the tools you need to get your members thehelp they need.

Topics Covered:

Session IIntroduction to Union Counselling

Session IIYour Community Services

Session IIICommunication Skills

Session IVOld Age Security and Canada Pension Plan

Session VStress

Session VISubstance Use and Abuse

Session VIIRacism

Session VIIIViolence in the Family

Session IXFamily Law

Session XLandlord and Tenant Issues

Session XIImplementing a Union Counselling Program In YourWorkplace and Union

If you require any further information, pleasecontact Brother George Smith at the union hall at416-510-3530. ■


ORTHOPAEDICOPINIONSREGARDINGSHOULDERPROBLEMS ANDELECTRICIANS WORK

This month I want to spend sometime and educate you on afrequent injury I deal with.Shoulder injuries are verycommon in our industry and thetypical mechanism of injury is notalways trauma, but the physicaldemands of overhead work andpushing and pulling. There is avery clear relationship betweendegenerative changes in theshoulder joint and repetitiveoverhead work which leads totendonitis and rotator cuff tears.

Here is sampling of opinions fromseveral Orthopedic Surgeonsregarding member shoulderinjuries and the causalrelationship to the physicaldemands of their occupation.These opinions also represent across-section from ICI,Residential, Line, Utility andTraffic sectors.

Dr. Heather Brien in a medicalreport dated April 20, 2006responded to several questions Iposed:

Q. Attached is a physicaldemands analysis for anelectrician. Do you concurwith Dr. Ufhoff’s opinionthat certain repetitivemovements such asoverhead work can lead todegenerative pathology inthe shoulder making someworkers more prone andsusceptible to shoulderinjury (eg., rotator cufftears)?

A. I concur with this opinion.This has been myexperience in my practice

and is well documented inthe literature…(Mr.Electrician) would be atincreased risk for shoulderpathology because of hisoccupation…In a generalsense, rotator cuffdeterioration is likely fromacute trauma and/orrepetitive work.

Dr. Rick Zarnett also provided aninsightful opinion in a reportdated April 26, 2006. Dr. Zarnettis the Orthopedic Surgeon for theToronto Argonaut Football Clubof the CFL and St. Michael’sMajors Junior “A Hockey Team.He opined Mr. X. works as aconstruction electrician. He hasbeen working in this job for over40 years. His job requiresfrequent and repetitive overheadwork, as well as pushing andpulling heavy cable. In myopinion, Mr. X’s job demands arein all probability responsible forthe pathology in both his rightand left shoulders. There is goodevidence in the literature toindicate that repetitive orprolonged use of the arms,especially above shoulder level,

WSIB Report by Gary Majesky WSIB Consultant

WorkplaceSafety

& InsuranceEconomic Justice for Injured Workers


may predispose one totendonitis and to rotator cufftears. I agree with Dr. Uthoff’sopinion that repetitive overheadmovements can lead todegenerative pathology in therotator cuff, making someworkers more prone to shoulderinjuries. Mr. X’s MRI showed alarge subacromial spur whichwould cause narrowing of therotator cuff outlet. This wouldalso predispose him to shoulderinjury, especially with his typeof work…In my opinion, Mr. X’srotator cuff tears in bothshoulders are almost certainlydue to his long history ofrepetitive use of the arms aboveshoulder level as necessitated inhis vocation as a constructionelectrician.”

Dr.Thomas Bertoia in a reportdated September 14, 2006 had

this to say “Chronic rotator cuffdisease is an occupationalhazard of any worker who isrequired to work for prolongedperiods or in a repetitivemanner in the overheadposition. It is my opinion thatMr. Electrician’s complaints areprobably related to the physicaldemands of his job as aconstruction electrician and thatthese physical demands havecontributed in a significantand/or material way to thedevelopment of his disability.”

Dr. Hans K. Uhthoff in a TribunalDiscussion paper on ShoulderInjury and Disability states“there is definitively a strongrelationship (between isolatedor recurrent injuries and partialor complete rotator cuff tears).As already stated, certainrepetitive movements required

by work can accelerate thedevelopment of degenerativechanges. This raises thequestion of the importance of apre-existing condition, which incertain workman can be workrelated.”

These passages from medicalreports hopefully clarify for youveterans the causal relationshipbetween overhead work andshoulder injuries. If you aregoing to see your doctor aboutthat nagging shoulder pain, whynot take a copy of this articlewith you. In early 2007 you willalso receive a copy of the L.U.353 Ergonomic Study whichrepresents another piece of thepuzzle analyzing the work ofelectricians and the associatedinjuries electricians sustain. ■

[email protected]

Local Union MeetingThe next regular monthly meeting will be held on

See you there!

THURSDAY JANUARY 11TH, 2007at 7:00 p.m. at the

O.F.L. Building, 15 Gervais DriveDon Mills, ON

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8TH, 2007at 7:00 p.m. at the

O.F.L. Building, 15 Gervais DriveDon Mills, ON

AND


WELLNESSPROGRAMCOMES TOLOCAL 353The Health and Safety Committeehopes that everyone had a veryMerry Christmas and a HappyNew Year. As a kickoff to the NewYear and the start of Local 353’sWellness Program I hope allmembers take time to fill out theinformation slip in the Newsletterand send it into the hall either byfax or drop it off at the frontcounter concerning the HearingClinic we hope to set up thisspring. Your information is neededto allow to set up the propernumber of hearing test stationsand to schedule your appointment.

What is the Wellness Program?

The Health and Safety Committeecame up with the concept of healthpromotion for local 353’smembers as the results of our2005 Health Survey weretabulated and the body maps werecompleted and hung in the halls ofthe local. The Wellness Program’saim is to promote healthy livingfor our members by providing

articles in the Newsletter andhaving clinics like our upcominghearing clinic.

The first article to kick off theseries will review Depression. Inthe last three years we have readstories of three suicides in Torontoand the deaths of two children.Reviewing the facts one personwas a doctor who treated peoplefor depression, the next was abusinessman and the last was auniversity educated women. Whatthis tells us is that depressionaffects people of all classes anddoes not discriminate between thesexes. The post-Christmas seasonis the worst periods of the year fordepression; it may be a result ofthe financial problems, relationshipproblems, employment andeconomic problems that cyclethrough our economy, loss of aloved one or a common problem inCanada due to decreased sunlightlevels caused by our winterweather.

Signs of depression are *fromDifferential Diagnosis byThomas A, Souza*

1) depressed moods that lastmost of the day, worse in themorning; felt by individual orobserved by others

2) loss of interest in previouslyenjoyable activities, unable tohave fun, disinterest in sex orpreviously enjoyed hobbies

3) disturbed appetite or change inweight; involuntary loss ofmore than 5% of weight in aone month period.

4) fatigue or loss of energy feltevery day

5) disturbed sleep indicated byinsomnia, the person wakes upseveral hours early and cannotget back to sleep

6) psychomotor retardation oragitation

7) feelings of guilt, worthlessnessor self-reproach

8) suicidal thoughts or focus ondeath

9) inability to concentrate ormake decisions

Depression can have many causes,it can run in families or have agenetic base, and it can be causedby chemical imbalances, be a sideeffect caused by medicationsprescribed by your doctor or

Occupational Health Clinicsfor Ontario Workers Inc.

Construction SafetyAssociation of Ontario


caused by stress or life itself.Whatever the cause it takescourage and guts to deal with it.Up until a few years ago it wassomething you only heard aboutwhen someone broke down. Oneof the first cases that reallychanged this view was the storyon Ron Ellis a former TorontoMaple Leaf star from the 1967Stanley Cup Champions, hisbattle with depression was madepublic by stories written in the

Star and a public radiocommercial on depression. This isan illness that people need helpwith; sometimes a family member,friend or co-worker will need toprovide the person with helpbecause the person cannot helpthemselves. If a member ishaving trouble with depressioncontact your family doctor whocan send you to the properspecialist. If you don’t have afamily doctor, call the union and

speak to Brother George Smith inconfidence that can direct you tocounselling services and alsospeak with your employer on yourbehalf.

On behalf of the Health andSafety Committee I hope that allmembers have a very Healthy andProsperous New Year ■

James Gribben

Sweetheart Dinner / Dance

When: Saturday, February 3rd, 2007

Time: Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m. • Dinner starts at 7:00 p.m.Where: Delta Toronto East - 2035 Kennedy Road

(Kennedy Rd & Hwy 401)Scarborough

(Block of rooms have been reserved for I.B.E.W. members, please call before January 17th, 2007 to reserve.

For a great time, bring your sweetheart to the IBEW LOCAL 353’S Dinner Dance

Mark your calendars!

Member Name:

Guest Name:

Address:

Phone #:

Card #:

E-mail:

Call (416) 510-3530 for ticketsor come to the hall in person.

RSVP Early! Seating is limited.Please make cheque ($30.00 forsingle and $50 per couple)payable to:

IBEW LOCAL UNION 353


353

NATIONALSOCCERSTADIUMThe new National Soccer Stadium,located on the Exhibition Placegrounds, features a“horseshoe” design forthe seating bowl with thenorth end remainingopen for a variety offunctions including anevent plaza. The seatingdistribution isapproximately 10,000 onthe west, 7,000 on theeast and 3,000 on thesouth for a total of approximately20,000 seats. The designincorporates most of the enclosedprogram area on the west side ofthe stadium at grade level. Thisevent level includes such things asplayer change rooms, training andweight rooms, warm-up rooms,press conference rooms,TVproduction and so forth. Amezzanine above this event levelwill contain office space and aVIP club area which will havedirect access to approximately 500club seats. The stadium will behome to the Toronto FC and willhost the FIFA under-20 WorldCup this summer. ■

BMO Field Manpower(Front Row Left to Right): Davide D’Auria, Ahmad Rafiee, Joe Marcello,Vic Pompili, Danny Cheung

(Second Row Left to Right): Nick Gallos, Andrew Siemon, Robert Lamb,Sergei Bejnar, Richard Lach

(Third Row Left to Right): Sondeep Chanana, Tony Gaspar, Vic Chimienti,Lee Jones

(Fourth Row Left to Right): Mike Catarino, Brian Forrest, Mike Savage,Cosimo Tarasco, Bob Antila, Nick Thurlow

(Fifth Row Left to Right): David Uniacke, Brian Uniacke, Bryan Haggerty,Pete Rava, John Scott, Ryan Wilson


newmembers

(To attend January 11th, 2007meeting)

APPRENTICE WIREMANFabio D’Arpino, Krista PurdieJesse Rehill, Adam JohnsonStephen Roberts, RichardSanderson, James WardScott Sneddon, Peter TorchiaChris Pontarini, Peter DarnbroughCraig Mitchell, David ParenteMatthew Shortt, Brent Skillen

APPRENTICE LINEMANCharles Smith

APPRENTICE HOUSEWIREMANMarco Di Girolamo, Mike CoutoBrandon Plante, Bruno MarquesMichael Di Luca, Robert Borden Ryan Scot

JOURNEYMAN WIREMANMike Bratzke, Anthony CalominoChristopher Poggio,Macief Wyrwisz, Blair Villeneuve

JOURNEYMAN LINEMANJames Page

APPRENTICE TECHNICIANHugh McCrie

UTILITYMANWilliam Campbell

SENIOR TECHNICIANKevin Mulvale

LEVEL 2 TECHNICIANJim Drury

RESIDENTIAL JOURNEYMANDavid OcchiutoAleksander ChrzanowskiAnatoly Efremkin, Dariusz NowakJan Ananko, Vasile ProsteanAlexey MakshanovRyszard Kuzmicki, Dian Rashkov

(To attend February 8, 2007meeting)

APPRENTICE WIREMANRocco Traetto, Shane McInnisGary Lowe, Bryan Gallant Marek MarczewskiLeonid ZaidentrumfMarcel Moretti, Jon Crisolago,Brandon Doyle,Terry HumeniukAlan Choi,Tihomir AtanassovJoseph Alampi

APPRENTICE HOUSETheo De Angelis

JOURNEYMAN WIREMANMomcilo Tintor, Milan KorolijaZoran Ninic, Sretko SinikovicStojan MilanovicHristaci Crnoevic, Dan LaszoVangjiush Adhamidhis

RESIDENTIAL JOURNEYMANDavid Espino

RETIREE’SMONTHLYMEETINGSThe retiree’s monthly meeting andluncheon will be held on thefollowing dates:

Tuesday February 6th, 2007

Tuesday March 6th, 2007

Tuesday April 3rd, 2007

Tuesday May 1st, 2007

Tuesday June 5th, 2007


It is with deepest regret that we report the deaths of the following members:

JOSEPH TAKACSJoined the union on July 25, 1989 and passed away on November 22, 2006

He was 37 years of age.

JAMES LUMMISSJoined the union on April 22, 1943 and passed away on December 17, 2006


WILLIAM MARKSJoined the union on January 1, 1982 and passed away on December 16, 2006


FRANK SZABOJoined the union on December 15, 1988 and passed away on January 4, 2007


Our deepest sympathy is extended to their families and friends

THEHISTORY &ARCHIVECOMMITTEEWe are currently scanning all ofthe old Newsletters into thecomputer so that members willbe able to access our history. Ifyou have or know of anyonewho has any old Newsletters,especially before 1970 pleasecontact us for a list of missingNewsletters.

We are starting to collect oldElectrical Code Booksfordisplay in a show case at thehall. If you can or know ofanyone that can part with theirold code book for safe keepingat the hall please contactBrothers Stephen Young orPhil Bova at 416-510-3530.■

In Memorial

Pension GiftThe following pensioners are invited to the

Thursday January 11th, 2007 meeting to receive their Pension Gift:

OVE BAKMAND, WILLIAM NURSE, WILLIAM PEARCE

LIPTON DRUMMOND, KENNETH MCINTOSH

WILLIAM SURGENOR, BRIAN PREBBLE, ALFRED SILLIPHANT

RENATO VELOCCI, GERHARD KROLOW, RALF BANNINGER

PETER GARDINER, YAKOV VAISMAN, NORMAN MCFARLAND

BRIAN LEWIS, JOHN WALTERS, PIERINO LAROSA

The following pensioners are invited to theThursday February 8th, 2007 meeting to receive their Pension Gift:

IRVING POMERANZ, HARRY SHORTREED, LORNE BROWN

PAUL URBAN, JOSEPH CANNING, NORMAN HOPKINS

GERHARD KUENZL, HARVEY WATSON, GEORGE APRILE

HAROLD BRUNNER, WILLIAM BURCHELL, JOSEPH COULL

JOHN HOLLAND, CHRISTOPER HOOKER, KENNETH MACGILLIVRAY

RENZO MAGAGNA, EMANUEL SCHEMBRI, DUNCAN VIGNALE

ALPHONSO VERSACE, GORDON H. COOKE, HELMUT BRUNNER

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