September October 2009 Newsletter

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2009

Dear Sir and Brother:

The meetings listed below will be the only scheduled meetings for the period indicated. All United Association members must present their UNION CARD to attend the General Meetings listed below.  NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.


MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT 34 HIGGINS AVENUE


FINANCE COMMITTEE:               Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
                            Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

EXECUTIVE BOARD:                 Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
                           Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP:       Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
                    Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

SPRINKLERFITTERS:        Monday, September 28, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

REFRIGERATION:            Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

BRANDON MEETING:        Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
                    (Victoria Inn)   

DEATH ASSESSMENTS    #403, 404, 405

It is with regret and sympathy that over the summer three of our members have passed away.  They are:

Brother James McMahon, a Journeyman Steamfitter and a member for 49 years.  He passed away on July 15, 2009 at the age of 80.
Brother Valmore Gobeil, a Journeyman Plumber and Lifetime member of 60 years.  He passed away on July 31, 2009 at the age of 83.
Brother George Cheyne, a Journeyman Plumber and a member for 39 years.  He passed away on August 13, 2009 at the age of 72.
 
GENERAL NEWS:

Over the summer we have been renovating the hall in our building and hope to have it completed by the next General Membership Meeting.  We are also having the outdoor mural repaired as the weather and age have damaged the wall.  This is also being done as 2010 is our Local’s 100th Anniversary and we have many events in the planning stages.  We will be updating you as they are revealed.
It is with regret that we must announce that our annual Grey Cup raffle is now a thing of the past.  Due to changes in licensing and the lodging of a complaint last year to the Gaming Commission, we are no longer able to conduct our Raffle.

We are also interested in setting up a Committee of members who would be willing to review the Local’s By-Laws.  If anyone is interested, please let me know.

The Refrigeration Agreement was ratified in June, 2009 for a two year period.

WORK SITUATION

Our Pipeline work should slowly be wrapping up in September and I would personally like to thank our members working on the Keystone and Alberta Clipper for doing an outstanding job.  Productivity and safety were top notch.

Station work for Aecon Sommerville and Lockerbie and Hole is still ongoing. 
Commercial work is busy in Winnipeg.  ABCO Supply, at the airport is in need of Tradesmen.

The work situation in Saskatchewan will be slowing down this Winter but will be picking up next Spring with the Co-op Upgrader and Rockenville kicking off.

MECHANICAL AGREEMENT

At our General Membership Meeting on September 10, 2009, we will be holding nominations for our Negotiating Committee.  We are hoping to set up contract talks as early as October. If you want to see any changes made or have any ideas, please send them in, in writing, as soon as possible.  All proposals must be signed by the member or they will not be considered.

SPRINKLERFITTERS AGREEMENT

We ask that our Sprinklerfitters make every effort to attend the meeting stated above as we will be asking for proposals for changes to our National Agreement.  Please mark your calendars.

SOCIAL NEWS:

CHILDREN’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY:  This year’s party will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at 12:00 noon. The party is for all Union members’ children between the ages of newborn through to ten years of age.  Name cards are enclosed with this newsletter.  Please fill it out with your child/children’ name, age, as well as your name, address and postal code.  To ensure your child/children receives a gift from Santa, the card must be returned to this office by October 31, 2009.  All children registered will receive an invitation from Santa which will be your acknowledgement of the card being received.

SENIORS’ CHRISTMAS LUNCH:    The luncheon for our senior members will be held on December 17, 2009.  Members must be retired from working in order to attend and have received an invitation from the Local.  Members who are drawing a pension but continue to work are not eligible to attend.

    We hope you have all had a good and safe summer and I look forward to seeing you at our General Membership Meetings.


                                Fraternally yours,



                                Heiko P. Wiechern
                                Business Manager and
                                Financial Secretary

Enclosure
HPW/dh cope 342