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 News & Events:
Moving Forward
Challenges and Solutions for Canada’s Pipe Trades
A Message from John Telford, Director of Canadian Affairs
Most people don’t think about pipes very much, but everyone recognizes that much of our infrastructure in Canada depends on them. In many ways, that also describes the people who work in the piping industry: the pipe trades play a crucial role in the construction sector, providing vital support to the broader economy.
As the association representing qualified pipes trades people, UA Canada is equally dedicated to supporting its members, giving them a collective voice and helping to build the partnerships – with industry and government – for ongoing success.
Having been around for more than a century, UA has faced plenty of challenges. Today is no different, and we remain committed to developing effective solutions to address the current issues we face, such as demographic shifts and labour shortages.
That is why we have crafted Moving Forward, a campaign based on working with our clients, owners, and contractors, to ensure we are providing the most skilled and professional workforce to complete their projects.
Moving Forward is aimed at bringing about a cultural shift – with an emphasis on professionalism and quality throughout the pipe trades. It involves everyone from the union executive and managers to those on the shop floor; from the most seasoned professional to the apprentice just starting out in a career in the industry.
We have created a “Standard for Excellence” as the basis for Moving Forward, and will work with our representatives and membership to ensure that this standard is adopted and implemented by our local unions across Canada.
Already we have seen tremendous progress in accomplishing this cultural shift, through initiatives such as a detailed survey of our members on the state of our union, new websites promoting transparency and information, and business and leadership training programs.
UA is very proud of our membership and our work. Our motto, "We Do It Right the First Time," shows our integrity and determination to not only do our best, but with skill and expertise.
Moving Forward reinforces this dedication to excellence and partnership, ensuring a bright future for the pipe trades, our partners, and the communities we help to build.
John Telford
Director of Canadian Affairs
United Association
Dear Brothers & Sisters:
As the Director of Canadian Affairs, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to respond to my call for action. I wanted to hear from you and you responded!
I appreciate the honest opinions, comments and recommendations that you provided and I assure you that I will do my utmost to address the few concerns we received right away.
Together we are going to grow the U.A. by creating opportunities and delivering on our promises and guarantees. I believe we need to:
- Have a clear vision of the United Association so that we can move forward together and secure more job opportunities for our members.
- Create a positive perception of the U.A. in people’s minds including our members, clients, owners and contractors.
- Increase our influence in the industry.
- Increase our membership and re-establish loyalty in the U.A.
- Increase the number of U.A. contractors and the number of clients and owners.
I have given you my thoughts. Now I need to hear yours. How do you think we can accomplish this? How can you help? Please complete the Moving Forward Feedback Form to forward your feedback.
Sincerely Yours,
John Telford,
Director of Canadian Affairs
UA Journal Article - 07.21.09
A review of the UA Journal article on the UA Canada survey. Find out more about what is wanted by UA members in Canada.
Click HERE to read the full journal article >>
Moving Forward Feedback
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2008-06-12
I would like to make the suggestion that the union takes in apprentices even before they have a union job and get them to pay non working dues until they do find a job with a union company. I am a refrigeration mechanic in BC and I could sign up at least three first and second year apprentices but it seems that the union doesn't want them until the applicant can find a job with a union company himself. I have a 19 year old granddaughter in Edmonton that is going into Refrigeration and I would like to sign her up but "no job- no union". If we could get these young people unionized then I am quite certain that they would then look for union jobs or bring the company that they are working for into the union. Thanks for letting me express myself.
W - UA Member - Canada 2008-06-11
Dear Brother Telford:
Thank you for writing this letter. It is no secret that a lot of people have negative views of the unions. I believe it is our duty to chance this perception and gain more of the Market share. John my response to your letter is has follows. We has an organization must produce trades people. I daily ask our apprentices if they know the different between a fitter and a tradesperson, when they look at me with a blank look, I then tell the apprentices a tradesperson is the one that is dressed and ready for work at 7:00am. The fitter is the guy running into the trailer at 7:00am caring a hogie and a bottle of coke in his hand with his boots still undone.
Our vision right from the time they pick up our study guide, before they even have done an application, is to let these people know that they can be part of this great organization of ours. This is done in a number of ways. Brother Telford I find pushing our education programs works very well, and the wages also. The apprentices we tell, the money will come and the better trained you are the more money you will make.
Creating a positive perception of the UA in peoples mind is easy. Brother we have to be involved in the community. This is done through supporting the community, be it a breast cancer walk, feeding the homeless, sponsoring a ball team or an event itself.
Increasing our influence in the industry could be done a number of ways. First and foremost I believe it as to be done through our actions on the job site. I ask is there a better way to catch the contractors attention by doing the job safe and under budget. John anther way is we have to promote ourselves directly and indirectly. How many or our welders have gone a full year without a repair? Have these member ever been noticed? My answer is no, you are told that’s what you are suppose to do. It is what we are suppose to do and we do it, but I have found recognition goes along way, and this brings us to item next. Increasing our membership and reestablishing loyalty in the UA we just have to remember that our members are individuals not numbers. The old members have built this organization, we are doing it right now, and new members and people we have not even met yet will be looking after the future of the UA. Mr. Telford I will use the word must again. We MUST treat these people like individuals, and let them know we need them in this organization of ours.
Brother too increase the UA contractors, clients, and owners, the suggestions I have made is a good start. One other way I believe is making ever member accountable for their actions. (Self Pride before Union Pride)
Fraternally
Rod - UA Member - Alberta - Canada 2008-06-06
Hello John Telford.
First of all I would like to say it is a pleasure hearing from you, hope all is going well for you, and may it continue to.
In response to your letter, I have to say that I am very proud to be a UA member, and yes for whatever reason our work situation seems to be hurting more and more all the time I realize that is hard to compete with the none union
business, and they do seem to be getting into the industrial end more.
My question to you John is, woul it make sense for our local hall to hire someone to go around once or twice a month to non union shops and speak with the owners and try to sign them up. I realize it would be difficult to do this
maybe some of our retired members woul take the opportunity.
As far as membership in our local are we allowed to send anyone interested getting into the local at anytime or do we have to wait until the list is empty. I know it used to be if you were a relative of a member it was easier to get in.
I am sure there is people out there who would like to join and if I can get anyone interested I will certainly send them to the hall.
John I don't know if I have made any sense here or not.
Again all the best to you
Ivan - UA Member - Canada [Top]
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