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.

This years theme is " Mourn for the dead. Fight for the living, now more than ever"

Once again, April 28th National Day of Mourning is fast approaching. Since the first event 24 years ago, it is now an event observed by unions, central labour bodies, labour councils, municipalities and national governments around the globe.

Here in Canada we still have workplaces where workers are injured and killed on the job at an increasing rate. We must do more to save the lives and livelihood of workers in Canada.

Any member wishing to participate in the ceremony on Monday April 28th at Vincent Massey Park, Workers' Memorial Site, please call the office and asked to be put on the list of participants. The event generally runs from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Parking available on site at Vincent Massey Park.

A number of changes have been made to the Plans effective January 1, 2008. These changes reflect upgrades to the Plan. Please see the "Benefits" page for details.

Message from Robert Blakely Building & Construction Trades Canadian Office

The following information is important to the Building Trades, not just in those provinces that currently have some form of operative nuclear technology but for Organized Construction Workers in Canada . For some time now we have participated as proud members of Team Candu; we have had a real voice in how nuclear technology will be developed for Canada , with the proper safe guards and the real potential for unparalleled work opportunities for our members. 

Within the next several weeks, the Ontario government will begin the process of choosing between Canadian and foreign technology for its nuclear reactors. AECL, together with Team CANDU, represent Canadian CANDU technology. This effort is extremely important to AECL’s future. We’re proud of our product. CANDU is Canadian innovation at its best. We designed it. We built it. And we run them safely and successfully, here in Canada and around the world. Winning the Ontario contract is key for us to remain a world leader in nuclear technology generation.  

The Ontario government will make the decision. But your voice can help them make the right decision. That’s why Team CANDU, the Building Trades Unions and Ontario CANDU Industries have set up a website www.chooseCANDU.ca. It allows us, as those who work in the CANDU industry, our families, our friends, and the people who rely on this technology for their future, to send a message to the government quickly and easily.  

Today we’re inviting you to visit www.chooseCANDU.ca and consider sending a simple message asking the Ontario Government to choose CANDU. The website is easy to use, confidential and private. There is no obligation on you to do this, but your participation is important.  It is equally important for members from beyond Ontario to express to that Government that this is a decision that has a pan-Canadian dimension, and that the decision will have a far reaching impact on virtually every Canadian who makes his/her living from our Industry.

  CANDU is the best choice for Ontario and in the longer term for Canada - in every way; price, technology, performance, and it supports thousands of jobs right here in Canada . An Ontario contract will set the stage for global sales that could create tens of thousands of new high-wage, high-tech, engineering, construction and manufacturing jobs in our communities. There’s really only one choice for the Ontario government, and that’s our Canadian CANDU technology.

  You can make your voice heard by going to www.chooseCANDU.ca today.  You will be doing something positive both for our country and for ourselves!!

        In a decision by the Operational Board of the Provincial Training Trust Fund regarding refund of the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities $400.00 tuition fee  that is currently being charged to apprentices attending the in-school portion of their apprenticeship, the  Board has made the following change: 

This refund is currently only available to apprentices attending the Provincial Training Centre located in Oakville Ontario for their in-school training. The only exception to this ruling is that a refund will still be issued to any 5th year apprentice who first applied to attend the Oakville facility but could not be accommodated due to lack of room for a given course intake and by missing out on such intake will be out of his/her time before the next intake, the student may then apply to any of the four community colleges in the province and his/her tuition refund would then be paid by the PTTF upon successful completion.

Should any LU 47 apprentice wish to apply at the provincial Training Centre, please call the office for an explanation of what funds are available for travel & accommodation etc.

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)

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.

The above acclaimed and elected officers wish to thank the membership for their continued support

        ***Licensed Sheet Metal Workers and Registered Sheet Metal Apprentices required now***

        ***Licensed Roofers and Registered Roofing Apprentices required now***

*Only holders of a current Certificate of Qualification or a valid Apprenticeship Contract in either trade need apply

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.

Due to amalgamation, several communities are now part of the City of Gatineau and as a result many home addresses have changed. If you are affected by this change please notify Local 47 immediately so as to avoid interruption of mail delivery.

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 Director of Apprenticeship for Ontario announced on January 31, 2002 that effective  August 1, 2002, apprentices will have to pay a $10.00 per day tuition fee prior to attending the in-school portion of their apprenticeship training. This amounts to $400.00 for our sheet metal & roofing apprentices attending an 8 week program and must be paid prior to attending classes. The Ministry previously paid the community colleges $60.00 per day for each apprentice attending the day program for apprentices, this has been reduced to $50.00 per day  effective August 1,2002 with the apprentice making up the difference.

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! The new law came into effect in early June of this year. All members working on construction projects must be certified and in possession of a certificate.

Send mail to paul@smwia47ottawa.org  with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: April 30, 2008