If there’s an industry in demand across Ontario offering good wages and stable employment it’s the skilled trades. With the massive infrastructure projects governments are planning, skilled trades people in every sector are going to be a valuable commodity with companies earning these lucrative contracts, whether it’s building new highways or affordable housing units.
For a labour organization like UA Local 800, that means not only negotiating fair contracts for its current members but also attracting new members to the organization. That’s a particularly vital service for individuals considering a career in the trades, this according to Adam Mick, Assistant Business Manager with UA Local 800.
“The biggest struggle is many people don’t know where to start,” said Mick. “They have no idea where to apply, what trade they might be interested in, or who to talk to. We can point them in the right direction, whether that’s directing them to training programs or connecting them with employers. If you’re interested in any trade, don’t be afraid to talk to any Build Trades Union. We all act as a resource for anyone interested in a career in the trades.”
UA Local 800 – a local part of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting industry of the U.S. and Canada (UA) – is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation, and servicing of piping systems. This union has over 370,000 highly skilled members belonging to more than 300 individual local unions across North America. The union boasts some of the best training programs in the industry, including apprentice programs, extensive journeyman training, organized instructor training, and certification programs.
Of course, one of the major responsibilities of United Local 800 is negotiating collective agreements with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ontario, working to secure the best wages and benefits for its members. The union represents an area over 297,000 square kilometers, but also negotiates provincially for workers across Ontario. According to Mick, UA Local 800 is different from other unions because of the unique reality faced by building trades.
“Our members are all essentially contract workers,” explained Mick. “The Building Trades basically work themselves out of a job wherever they go, providing skilled labour to our clients when we’re needed. We go to work in a specific market, we work on a project, we complete the job, and then we move on to the next one. There are layoffs and hire-ons all year long for our members.
Mick said one important aspect of the job done by the team at UA Local 800 is continually working to ensure there are jobs waiting for members who are nearing the completion of a current project.
“I’m always pushing to find that next job for my members,” said Mick. “When they’re off work, we’re hustling to get them from the list, back to work, whether it’s locally, provincially, or across the country. We have large networks across the country. The fact we’re basically contract workers is one of the biggest differences between Building Trade Unions and other unions.:
Mick said anyone thinking of joining the trades or looking for work in the industry should reach out to the union to discuss the variety of opportunities available.
For more information, visit United Local 800 online here.