General and Trade Contracting

February 10, 2012

Carpenters’ union official Ucal Powell named to Order of Ontario

The Province of Ontario appointed Ucal Powell, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council to the Order of Ontario. Powell was recognized for building a world-class apprenticeship program and earning a reputation as a giving and compassionate organization, with the Order of Ontario.

January 30, 2012

Caterpillar dispute a factor in CAW-CEP union merger talks

The lockout of workers at a London, Ontario plant owned by Caterpillar Inc. is one factor in merger talks between the executive boards of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions.

January 24, 2012

Carpenters’ union official Ucal Powell appointed to Order of Ontario

Ucal Powell, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, has been appointed to the Order of Ontario. CDCO represents more than 20,000 workers in skilled trades including carpentry, drywall and resilient flooring.

January 9, 2012

Carpenters’ union hammer for Haiti

A trip to Haiti to build houses turned into a life changing adventure for four carpenters from Ontario’s carpenters’ union.

December 20, 2011

United Association Local 46 director, immigration lawyer react to skilled labour shortage

The baby boomers are one of the main reasons why the industry is facing a shortage of 100,000 workers in Ontario, according to the Construction Sector Council. The director of Training at United Association Local 46, which represents plumbers, steamfitters and welders, says the perception of the trades is also a contributing factor while immigration lawyer Sergio Karas says the 12-week waiting time for labour market opinions for immigrants wanting jobs is too long.

December 8, 2011

Auditor-General finds Ontario green energy plan creates 30,000 construction jobs

Much of the Ontario Green Energy and Green Economy Act lauded the creation of 50,000 new jobs, but this isn’t the whole truth, Auditor General Jim McCarter says. His recent report says 30,000 of these jobs are likely to be construction jobs lasting from one to three years. Meanwhile, the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program, which provides renewable energy generators with more attractive prices, will add about $220 million a year to the cost of electricity in the province.

November 24, 2011

Construction unions support TransCanada Pipelines Keystone XL

Building and Construction Trades Department (BCDT) of the American Federation of Labour-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) says it speaks on behalf of 14 unions in supporting the Keystone XL pipeline, which TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP) of Calgary claims will create 20,000 construction jobs in the United States. Canadian Building Trades is affiliated with unions representing pipefitters, operating engineers, labourers, electricians and other construction workers.

November 18, 2011

Construction unions support TransCanada Pipelines Keystone XL

November 16, 2011

Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 183 in Toronto in turmoil after election

The latest turmoil in Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 183 in Toronto comes from the election of a new slate of executives last summer and the ouster of the slate led by Durval Terceira and Daniel Avero, who had replaced former business manager Tony Dionisio and were considered loyal to the national office in Hamilton. Five former directors have claims at the Ontario Labour Relations Board

November 14, 2011

University of Waterloo, Ontario engineering building had significant mechanical, electrical component

Aecon Group Inc. (TSX:ARE) said construction of the new $42-million building for the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Ontario was complex because of the significant mechanical and electrical components required to serve more than 40 independent and unique research labs.

May 14, 2010

Northway Construction finds niche in high-end auto market

There’s a new upscale Downtown Porsche dealership under construction near Toronto’s tiny Distillery District.

May 14, 2010

Precision the hallmark of Goderich Aircraft Inc.’s jet refit facility

Tradesmen work with lightweight woods and veneers for a jet’s luxury interior at Goderich Aircraft Inc.

May 14, 2010

Canadian Standards Association aims to reduce confined-space danger

In trauma medicine, rescuers and doctors talk about the “golden hour,” the 60 minutes between event and treatment that determines the outcome.

May 14, 2010

Hybrid construction equipment technology drives forward

Driven by the need to produce machines that cost less to operate, and by regulatory pressures for lower carbon emissions, makers of construction equipment are spending a lot of time and money inventing and developing electric and hybrid drives to conventional hydraulic systems.