Refrigeration Sector

Refrigeration Representatives:

Edmonton Main Office 780-452-7080

Refrigeration Rep: Brian Hearn (Edmonton) 780-288-6505 (Calgary) 403-875-7224 - Email: brian.hearn@local488.ca

Alberta Refigeration Benefit & Pension Plans

 THANK YOU! To all Refrigeration Members who came out to the meetings in Edmonton & Calgary on April 4/5, 2012. Your input and interest is valued and appreciated! 

Brian Hearn - Refrigeration Representative - March Newsletter:

Greetings Brothers & Sisters.

This is my first Pipeline article since Brother Matychuk announced my appointment as Refrigeration Representative. Along with Brother Randy Erickson in Calgary, I am pleased to report that there has been progress in most areas of the Refrigeration sector within UA Local 488. The majority of the independent Contractors have been signed to new agreements, with a few still being negotiated. We anticipate successfully concluding these in the very near future! 

Regarding the 2012 wage increase: As per the Collective Agreement, the CPI (Consumer Price Index) concluded at 2.93%. Therefore, the total increase calculated on the Refrigeration Journey-person gross wage package will be $1.61 divided into two increments of $0.81 and $0.80 respectively. We will be calling a meeting near the end of March – early April in order to enable the membership to provide input as to the allocation of these increases. I do however encourage all members to email me (brian.hearn@local488.ca) with their thoughts and suggestions. Your opinions matter!

 I am also hoping to have some input from Trustees regarding what if any, additional money is needed to assure the sustainability and future of our Pension, Health & Welfare and Education Trust Funds.

 The Shop Stewards that are currently in place have been doing a great job, and I would like to Thank them all! There are however still some job-sites / locations that are lacking adequate representation. I hope with the new wording in the Collective Agreements regarding Shop Stewards, that more members will come forward to fill this need.

 With March now upon us and the mild winter that we have experienced this winter, there may be a slow period coming, as there always is at this time of year. However, we also know it will pick-up again with the advent of AC startups.

 Brother Larry Matychuk announced at the last General Meeting that as of January 01st, 2012, Brother Tony Finelli would be the Canadian Special Representative for HVACR / Service and as I write this report, Tony is landing at the airport in Edmonton. Welcome to Alberta, Brother Finelli! He will be touring our province during the week of Feb 27th to March 2nd, meeting with both Members and Contractors.

 In closing, we now have a Collective Agreement in place that is no longer tied into Construction. This should enable us to come together with fresh thoughts and ideas for the maintenance area of the Industry. With new negotiations nor too far in the future, I urge you all to come forward and speak out at the meetings; this ensures your opinions and needs are heard before the negotiation process begins again.

 Brian Hearn