Welcome to the website of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 963, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Latest News

May 20, 2010

Vancouver School Board rewards shoddy workmanship: re-tenders carpet cleaning contract without genuine review

In November 2009 the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 963 provided to Vancouver School Board a report on the status of contracted carpet cleaning in the district.

The union has been more than patient, allowing some five months for the district to review quality of work, environmental issues and a troubling trend noted in the billing for this contract. Numerous improvements were suggested by the union, all with a view to improving the poor quality that has been noted carefully since the inception of contracted carpet cleaning in 2002. Our suggestions, summarized in the report as a FIVE-POINT ACTION PLAN, were ignored by the district.

Since that time VSB senior staff have convinced elected public officials to narrow down any review's parameters, ostensibly quashing any genuine review of the substantive issues. Then, and only after the terms of any review were carefully crafted to ensure the full facts would not come out, the district purported to conduct an "independent" review. The "independent" review was conducted by a colleague at another school district!

Now, for the first time, the report can be viewed by all. The elected officials have had long enough to do the right thing.

When looking at the photos of filthy carpets (after they were "cleaned" and taxpayers paid the bill) ask yourself if your child should be sitting, playing or napping on one of these soiled floor coverings. And most troubling, ask yourself why Vancouver trustees are doing nothing about it.

Do they not care about student's health? Do they not care that the district has had no catalogued carpet inventory of its own and therefore no reliable system to confirm the work that was actually completed? Is this how private contracts work in the district?

What about alleged waste effluent dumping? Do the kids at Mount Pleasant Elementary School deserve to have their covered play area free of carpet cleaning waste, to say nothing of the environment when this waste is dumped into a storm sewer?

What about the teacher who had to bring in a portable carpet cleaner from home to try to fix the mess left by the contractor?

Take a look for yourself. Call VSB Superintendent Steve Cardwell (604-713-5000) and demand that staff put the kids first.

Click here to view the report

April 21, 2010

Canadian IUOE Blood Donation Drive, Week of April 26, 2010

In coordination with the IUOE Canadian Conference Locals across Canada have set up a "Partnership for Life" blood donation program to be held the week of April 26, 2010.

Business Manager Tim De Vivo has found a willing volunteer to head up the project, Brother Reg Campbell, a veteran of over one hundred Canadian Blood Services (CBS) donations!

Each participating Canadian IUOE Local will be assigned an identification number which will identify the Local for the purposes of some healthy competition. CBS will report out on the donations made and by each Local Union and is also featuring an article on the IUOE's participation on their web site.

Clinics are listed at CBS web site, www.blood.ca
or by calling 1-888-236-6283 for specific hours of operation.

When making a blood donation please quote the following number which has been assigned to Local 963: INTE010886

For additional please contact Reg Campbell at (604)603-6589.

This is a very worthy cause that is easy to do and will help save and repair lives.

April 13, 2010

Stop School Cuts Rally April 18, 2010

A public forum will be held at John Oliver Secondary School this coming Sunday April 18, 2010. Organized by the "Stop School Cuts Coalition" this forum, commencing at 2:00 pm, will address provincial government funding cuts.

Please find the time this Sunday afternoon to attend this very important meeting.

March 2, 2010

Vancouver & District Labour Council Endorses Civic Motion

The Vancouver & District Labour Council- of which the IUOE Local 963 is a member and has representation on the VDLC Executive Board- has endorsed a motion that encourages participation in carrying out the Vancouver Homeless Count.

Vancouver City Council passed a motion February 4, 2010 directing staff to update the 2005 Homelessness Action Plan and develop strategic actions to achieve Council's priority of ending street homelessness by 2015.

A consulting firm has been contracted to coordinate the count, which will take place over 24 hours, March 23, 2010. It will have a day-time and night-time component.

Volunteers are required to attend a training session held March 19, 2010. For information please contact Rhonda Alvarez, email rhondaalvarez05@gmail.com

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