Managing today’s employment needs can be challenging

The demands of an ever-changing workload can be challenging. When you’re the busiest is often when you’re faced the added hassle of looking for good, skilled workers to help you do the job. It takes you time you don’t have and a considerable amount of money to screen, recruit and train new people.

CMAW would like to help you ensure you have the right skilled, dedicated workforce at the right time. As a CMAW affiliate, you’ll enjoy the benefit of being able to access more than 8,000 skilled union members.

Give us a call and let us show you the benefits of being an affiliate. Rest assured that this introduction to our union services comes with no strings attached. Together, we’ll explore our new programs and find ways to achieve a mutually beneficial relationship. (Please note that discussions are not to be interpreted as having engaged in bargaining with the union.)

We have identified the following areas that could be of interest to your company. (These programs and services are offered as a basis for future discussions.):

1. Labour agreements – Full term and projects
a) Standard collective agreement: This is a collective bargaining agreement between a specific contractor and CMAW.

The agreement is based on competitive rates negotiated by CMAW and the Construction Labour Relations Association.

b) Project agreements
This is a collective bargaining agreement between the specific contractor and CMAW to govern work conditions and wage rates and is effective until the completion of a specifically-named project only.

2. Flexibility of Jurisdiction
A concern for many contractors is jurisdictional problems between crafts. This concern is raised when needing to assign work and when trying to keep a productive. CMAW understands your need for flexibility and we have a good working relationship with employers in British Columbia.

3. Manpower availability
CMAW has workers available for immediate dispatch to your job sites. All it takes is a phone call to the local area office. (Local offices maintain a list of skilled workers capable of completing your project in a timely manner.)

4. Training and apprenticeship

CMAW takes training very seriously and currently oversees apprenticeship and training programs throughout British Columbia. In addition to the program for apprentices, we also provide upgrading to apprentices and journeymen at our facilities.

Courses include rigging, c.s.t.s, scaffold erecting, forklift operating and more. Depending on the number of workers being trained, some courses can be offered at a contractor’s facility. Got a project that requires specialized training, we can help you with that.

5. Safety

Safety is a cost item when bidding for work and we realize that industrial injuries and health problems can affect your profits.  CMAW workers are trained to work safely and receive extensive safety and awareness training from our training programs as well as from experience from working with skilled labour on previous jobs.

6. Portability of employees

Your company can choose to utilize its skilled tradesman power throughout British Columbia or call the CMAW local that has jurisdiction over the project. Your employees will be asked to notify the local union that has jurisdiction over the project so that they can keep informed of where the member is working. (Note: Your workforce may not need to transfer their membership to different locals when working in different areas of the province.)

7. Specialty trades

CMAW represents a number of specialty locals as well as other trades, including: Drywall and Interior Systems, Millwrights, Welders and more.

Note: These are just a couple of the specialty trades that CMAW represents. All of these trades are covered under the carpenters’ medical and pension trusts and receive the same benefits.

A company is welcome to sign any or all of these agreements and utilize these workers or hire experienced people directly out of any of the specialty locals.

8. Carpenters’ pension plan and health coverage

Upon signing an agreement, all of your current employees will be enrolled in the British Columbia Provincial Pension and Benefit Plans, which include:
a) Carpenter pension plan
The employer pays for this plan through part of the benefit package. (A copy of the current plan is available to view at www.cwbp.ca)

b) Health coverage
Medical coverage is provided by the Carpentry Workers Benefit plan. This trust is owned and operated entirely by the carpenters. The carpenter’s coverage and family coverage includes:
• Medical/dental/prescription
• Vision care
• Wage indemnity
You can have the peace of mind knowing your workforce is covered by a cost effective, comprehensible benefit plan.

Find out more, give CMAW a call

We would welcome the opportunity to give you or one of your representatives a no-obligation presentation and have the opportunity to provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.

We firmly believe that a partnership between your firm and CMAW can help you meet your needs better while maintaining a competitive place in the construction industry.

Please contact Jan Noster, CMAW President, at 604-437-0471 for more information.