Vancouver—B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair today announced that the Federation will be hosting a rally in support of BC shipbuilding, as the Board of Directors of BC Ferries meets to decide whether to proceed with sending BC shipbuilding jobs overseas.

Currently BC Ferries is proposing to build three super class vessels overseas in Germany, and has asked the federal government for a tax break.

“BC workers can build these ships just as well as workers overseas. We have the skill and experience,” said Sinclair. “But Gordon Campbell, and David Hahn are not allowing BC workers, and BC companies to even participate in the bidding process for these new ferries.”

Opinion research shows British Columbians support building these ships locally. “We know the public is on our side, and legal opinions obtained by the Shipyard Workers General Federation now show that the Board may have failed to meet its fiduciary obligations to the people of BC,” added Sinclair.

At the 2003 BC Federation of Labour Convention, the table officers varied the convention agenda somewhat by including a day of information sessions. Those sessions included:

A Political Action component – presented by Dan Mallet and Lily Olsen from the Canadian Labour Congress-Prairie Division, who described the campaign they recently ran in Saskatchewan which resulted in a “Labour friendly” government being re-elected. The interesting thing in that campaign was they never promoted (or slagged) any political party they simply conveyed the issues that were important to Saskatchewan’s, leaving voters to make up their own mind to who would best represent their interests. Vic Fingerhut showed how he was able to turn public opinion away from republican persuasion in the US healthcare system, by pulling at the heart strings of Americans.

A Solidarity in Bargaining Session – with Joel Rogers a Professor from the University of Wisconsin and Carolyn Leckie from the Scottish Socialist Party. Both had great stories of personal and professional triumph over oppressive employers like Sodexo who are directly linked to the contracting out we are currently seeing in our Health Care.

And, an Organizing in the Workplace and Community Session – with Charlotte Yates from McMaster University and Lee Streib from the H.E.R.E. Research Department. Charlotte described the conclusion and results of her extensive research into the effects of Organizing in Canada. This was personally interesting as I participated in this research three years prior.

The Provincial Government is currently conducting an invitation only; "public consultation" on changes to the Apprenticeship of skilled trades.  All 139 job categories are under review for dramatic changes to their educational delivery and on the job training requirements. The Provincial Government has been responsible for trades training since the Feds turned it over to them in 1972 developing it into a very impressive and comprehensive college program. In fact British Columbian Tradesmen/women are considered premium craftworkers around the world. The Liberals dramatic shift will change all that.  The general public must have continued assurances that airplanes will fly, bridges will stand and our schools and hospitals are maintained. As consumers, we must have assurances that watering down trades won't result in more leaky condos. All aspects of our daily lives may be impacted as; almost every where we go out to eat, to having our hair cut is currently performed by a worker who has most likely completed an Apprenticeship.

But most of all, as an Electrician by trade and having worked in most aspects of the Construction Industry across the Country, assurances must be in place so Apprentices will continue to be properly trained and educated for their safety and for the safety of those around them. The proposed changes are short-sighted and vague and the result, an increase to work related injuries and fatalities.

The push to have these changes made is coming from Philip Hochstein, of the Independent Contractors and Business Association, a small player in the BC construction market. He has stated that, "All would-be electricians, for example, must go through the same training, regardless of whether they'll end up wiring your doorbell or working as industrial maintenance electricians in a highly complex pulp mill. This inflexible approach to training wastes resources and is a source of real frustration that has contributed to high dropout rates." What an interesting world he's proposing, imagine, you’re building a house and need to hire a separate worker simply to wire your doorbell?

I have never heard a worker say, I want to know less about my chosen profession and if I don't get to know less I’m going to quit! Mr. Hochstein’s arguments are coming from an employer niche market strategy with no interest in expanding into different markets. There seems to be little if any concern for the worker, the public or the consumer. In fact, 88 electrical employers have said they don't agree with the changes. This leaves me wondering whose agenda Mr. Hochstein is representing.

Philip M Venoit
President, Vancouver Island Building Construction Trades Council