subject: Iupat | Painters Union Offers Its Support To Ontario Workers [print this page] Training Standards Update: Training Standards Update:
The IUPAT Ontario Council Representatives are busy working for you throughout Ontario beginning with support to significant pieces of legislation brought forward at Queens Park. The highlight of all legislation may be an Act to revise and modernize the law related to the apprenticeship and trades qualifications and to establish the Ontario College of Trades, Bill 183. What this means for our industries could lead to compulsory certification for all of our certified trades: Painter and Decorator, Drywall Finisher, Exterior Insulated Finishes applicator and the Architectural Glass and Metal Technician. The 3rd reading of the bill occurred in October 2009 and it is now time to implement governance and directors to move forward.
You may be wondering what this means for you?
In the event our designated crafts become compulsory, it means every tradesperson in every craft must serve an apprenticeship and become a certified journeyperson. This will bring our trade standards to a higher level and will make our industries competitive and on the same level as non-union workers. This will gain us market share and provide more work for our members. You can view this legislation by visiting the website of the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities of Ontario at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/.
Stilts Update:
The journey to legalize stilts in the residential construction industry for drywall finishers continues. Your Union Representatives have been working diligently throughout the process and we are happy to report that we are on the final stages before a regulation change to the Occupational Health & Safety Act presented to Labor Minister, Peter Fonseca.
Below is a short summary of activity:
March 2005 a proposal for a pilot project is presented to the Minister of Labour
May 2005 the proposal is presented to the CSAO Provincial Labour/Management Committee and accepted for further research
January 2006 meetings took place with local trade and labour/management health & safety committees to dispel the fear of stilts being enforced on other trade industries
June 2006 the research for comprehensive data to prove stilts are a benefit to workers ergonomically and do not pose a hazard to the industry is investigated no research can be found
February 2007 the University of Waterloo is commissioned to do an ergonomic study and an assessment of work using stilts versus a bench
April 2008 the first report from the University of Waterloo is complete to measure performance of and balance to test proficiency of stilts
June 2008 the second report from the University of Waterloo outlines the recovery during tasks and comparing stilts and work benches
August 2008 the third report from University of Waterloo to validate measure and assess stilts and benches along with an executive summary with final report. The final report favours stilts over benches
September 2008 Dr. Prentice (U. of W.) presents his findings to the Provincial committee based on the findings presented, the Provincial committee endorses the study results and agrees to regulation amendments
October 2008 the Minister of Labour agrees to begin a regulation amendment and a committee is formed to write regulations with the MOL legal and technical departments
May 2009 a training committee is formed facilitated with the CSAO to accommodate the MOL requirements
September 2009 with completion of proposed regulations and training program, the provincial committee agrees to send regulations to the Construction Legislative Review Committee and to the CSAO Labour/Management network throughout Ontario for a 90 day review and feedback
October 2009 IUPAT representatives attend the Labour/Management meetings around the province to explain and seek support of the proposed stilt regulations
November 2009 the accumulated feedback regarding the regulation changes are to be evaluated and presented to the Minister of Labour for a change in regulation to legalize stilts.
Timing of when the legislation is presented for a change in the Act to legalize stilts is pending. Positive discussion with the Minister and Ministry of Labor staff is ongoing and near to the point of legalizing stilts.
It has been a long road and not without taking steps forward and then being pushed back on several occasions. This is a controversial issue among other trades but we are confident we will get the job done because we have been patient and addressing this matter with transparency.
Contract Negotiations Update:
In the past, meetings have been held regarding market share issues prior to negotiations. This has not occurred in the latest meeting, since the workflow in your area is obvious. It appears to be boom or bust and in most places of Ontario it is pretty bad. After 15 solid years of work in southern Ontario, the north has the bulk of construction along with downtown Toronto. We are not convinced it will continue in the next 2 years and we need to be cognizant of our future.
In February 2010 it will be legally within our right to commence collective bargaining in all of our trades. Proposal meetings will be occurring in January in every local union in the province of Ontario. You should be thinking of progressive changes to the collective agreement now and have them presented at the proposal meeting in your local in January 2010.
Raiding Update:
Once February comes along it is time to commence collective bargaining. This is also the time an enthusiastic and greedy union may come along and ask you to sign a card for their organization to displace the IUPAT. BEWARE; this will not be in your best interest. If that occurs you must call your union representative as soon as it happens and report it.
During this period it is opportunity for you to decertify from your employer and have your employer become non-union. DO NOT sign any petitions of any sort without talking to your union representative first. Signing a card from another union or a petition to decertify your employer may have serious complications for you, your family and your future.
For more information on any of the updates in this article and/or information on how to become a union member contact your local IUPAT Ontario union representative or call us at 1-800-668-1823. You can also visit us at www.IUPAT.on.ca for the latest news and updates.
