Union vs. non-union THE CONTINUING volatile situation between union and non-union activists, especially in light of the Expo 86 situation, makes it an appropriate time to bring a proand anti-unionist together. Alex Ross Union Activist I'm a reinforcement worker Local 97, and have spent 25 iron and a member of years in construction in six different countries on union and non-union jobs. I know the difference in the two systems. To my mind, union membership provides stable and safe working conditions and benefits for tradesmen in an industry long known as having a high casualty rate, seasonal employment, and uncertain earnings. The media has done a hatchet job on organized con- struction workers in repor- ting our renumeration. It has been reported that we make $23 per hour, but after deductions, it’s more like $12 per hour and there are very tew tradesmen that work a fall year. Also, as a construction worker ages, the contractor will try to replace him with a younger worker, thereby decreasing his wages in later years. 1 believe our industry is competitive and highly skill- ed. Witness the string of fine hydro dams in B.C., North- East coal, Prince Rupert Grain Terminal, B.C. Place Stadium which was on time and on budget, with its uni- que roof installed by union iron workers, a first in North. America. I think the’ Provincial government has been trying to turn the clock back 30 years. They have pitted one segment of the populace against another and have fail- — ed to adjust to the depression and the technical revolution. No matter what legislation is introduced to bust unions, there will continue to be an association of tradesmen who will collectively bargain for fair wages and safe conditions. If umions lost their power, we would see examples of employers exploiting the workers and we have already seen it during the building of the extension to Vancouver General’ Hospital where wages were cut by 40% The unorganized workers could either accept the pay cut or quit. Ellsworth Dickson VIDEO RECORDERS SHARP vis VIDEO RECORDER SA AA FRONT LOAD WWE FRONT LOAD VHS VIDEO RECORDER Search treese Remote Control ae 549800 DELUXE 4 HEAD WIRELESS REMOTE VCR Slow Motion viawol Scorch $597 WIRELESS REMOTE St&4 8 HOUR SELECTAVISION 2 4 day/ 4 events Seant breere brome CUGssa 4 HEAD 8 HOUR VIDEO RECORDER S777 Wrieless Remate Visual Search 14 day’ events DOLBY STEREO RGM 650 SELECTAVISION 4 Meds Werebe ys Mer cite Sees $888 AFFORDABLE PORTABLE construction protect workers. projects slow down to the . pace of the slowest worker, executives which force John Church Construction Manager Speaking from my_ per- sonal experience and not as a representative of the com- pany for which | work, | have been both a worker and a Manager on union and non-union projects. Although unions have helped workers tremendously in the past, I believe that they have become a damaging in- fluence. Firstly, it is a fact that union projects cost about 30% more than non- union. But the real problem is the policies and attitudes of to- day’s unions. 1 have seen unions unfairly unproductive | have seen union but worst of ail is the threatening attitude of union the employer to pay exhorbitant wages resulting in an un- competitive product or unecessarily high cast for a All - Friday, May 4, 1984 - North Shore News in B.C. more money now jobs. | belheve that unless there is a dramatic change in union policies, they are in for a rapid decline in the future. These inflexible policies result in the worker being less productive and valuable job time being wasted. With regards to Expo 86, J think that any group who threatens this important pro- ject with strikes or interrup- tions should be excluded from being employed there. Let the economic realities of today’s marketplace dic- tate the wages that can be paid. Something to say? DO YOU ‘have something to say about the question of union and non-union workers? If so, we want to hear from you. 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