Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, Local Union 47                 

Web Changes

This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first. Newest items listed first

Check out our "Social Events" page for info on upcoming events such as Senators® games, Softball, Golf, Kids Party, Anniversary Dance etc

MCA Ottawa is again offering a $2,000.00 scholarship to any son or daughter of al local employee or owner of a local Ordinary Member Firm of MCA Ottawa. The applicant must be graduating from high school and planning to enter a College or University of their choice and be a full time post secondary education student. To qualify, the applicant must meet certain criteria as set out in the Criteria and Guidelines document available from Local Union 47 or the MCA Office. Applications must be received at the MCA office by July 30, 2010.

For information and a complete list of Guidelines as well as a copy of the application form, please contact Local Union 47.

COMING SOON: Local 47 will be offering a 30 hour Health & Safety Training Course for any member who does not hold a C of Q or is not a registered apprentice in their trade (Member must reside in Ontario). Quebec residents must take the course offered in Quebec (CCQ rule)

As you are well aware many members were exposed to asbestos over the course of their working life in construction, certain tradesmen & women such as sheet metal workers had a much higher incidence of exposure due to old gravity style furnace installation and removal where loose asbestos was the insulating product on top of the furnace, pipe and duct insulation, transit duct, spray-on fireproofing. 

Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto is running a screening program for anyone in the industry that may have been exposed more than 20 years ago. This program is wholly funded by donations from unions such as the Asbestos workers union, United Association of plumbers & pipe fitters and there may be others that I am not aware of. There is no cost to this screening other than you must pay your own way to Toronto, also wages for lost time will not be reimbursed by Local 47 or any other source although you may qualify for WSIB benefits if tested positive.

To qualify for testing:   1: Candidates must be over 30 years of age

                                   2: More than 20 years since exposed to asbestos (prior to 1987)

                                   3: You have no record of prior cancers (except skin cancer)

                                   4: You must be the holder of a valid Ontario Health Card (OHIP)

Anyone wishing to participate can call the office and speak to Paul, you will then be put in touch with the medical professionals at Princess Margaret Hospital to arrange your appointment (appointments for screening are held only on the second and fourth Monday afternoons each month). Testing includes; interview, blood test, and CT Scan and takes approximately 2 hours.

Local Union 47 received a call from a representative of "Human Resources and Skills Development Canada" informing us that many unemployed members of Local union 47 are refusing to attend the group session meetings that are mandatory for all E.I. claimants. These sessions last approximately one and one-half to two hours and you must attend.

Here are a couple of excerpts from the letter being sent to claimants on E.I. benefits: 

"you are directed under the Employment Insurance Act and Regulations to come to a group information session"

"It is very important for you to come to this session. If you do not, your Employment Insurance benefits could be stopped or refused"

The outcome is clear, attend the sessions or you may lose your benefits.

Items of Interest:

Members are being refused entry to some very nice Industrial work.

Members without a current "Basics of Fall Protection" and "W.H.M.I.S." certificates in their possession are being refused entry into several industrial projects and are having to re-take these courses. Please be sure you have these certificates and carry them at all times. As well you must be in possession of your up to date "Certificate of Qualification" or, in the case of apprentices, your "Apprenticeship card". Some room and board jobs are being lost by members without these certificates. Please bring or send a copy to the Union office and we will place it in your file for future reference in case originals become lost.

Have you ever lost your wallet and all of its' contents? A photocopy of a certificate proves that you did originally have one. Some issuing agencies delete records after several years. Why not drop by the office and have us make copies of your various trade certificates and or endorsements (W.H.M.I.S., Fall Protection, Welding Lic., Propane Cert. etc.) We will copy and add them to your personnel file to make replacement easier, as well we will add them to your biographical file in the computer for future reference.

You have no doubt heard that all Quebec residents working on Ontario construction projects, both ICI & Residential will have to register with the Jobs Protection Office (JPO). 

All Quebec residents must register with the Jobs Protection Office prior to starting work in Ontario. 

This is the procedure; 

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has recently announced that the trade of Roofing is now recognized as a "Certified Trade" under the Apprenticeship & Journeyperson's Qualification Act. Many of you may already be registered Apprentices and are working towards your Certificate of Qualification (C of Q), some of you have already completed the program and have received your C of Q.

The Grand-fathering period ended on May 1, 2003. If you did not apply it is now too late.

For those of you not currently in the Apprenticeship program nor are you the holder of a valid Certificate of Qualification in the trade of roofing you have two options at hand. 

The Basics of Fall Protection course is mandatory! This law is now in effect. All members working on construction projects must be certified and in possession of a certificate.

Send mail to marcel@smwia47ottawa.org  with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: June 15, 2010