Manulife / Ibew 1003 online tools explained in this short video.

Learn how to access your retirement account online and see about various online tools and information available.

To start the step by step tutorial, click the Manulife Icon below.

There is a new way to pay your Basic Dues via your online banking.

Local 1003 now accepts e-Transfers for the Basic Dues.

The email address for this transfer is members@ibew1003.org

If you need assistance, contact your bank.

ALMOST EVERY UNIONIZED TRADESPERSON can list all the advantages that come with union membership: benefits, pension, priority given to safety, training, mentorship and someone to watch your back. But have you given some thought to what you can give back to your union?

Sure, keeping your dues up to date helps the organization, but you have obligations and responsibilities in between as well.

“Union contracts are more expensive,” pointed out Mark Olsen, president of the BC Bargaining Council of Building Trades Unions. “We’re all selling a product. So do the best job, as safely as you can, every day.” But your involvement doesn’t stop there, he said. “We also need members to talk up the benefits of union membership. Don’t stay quiet about it.”

Some workers deliberately look for union work. Others become union members as a requirement of employment. There is so much misinformation circulating that many people have no idea what today’s unions do or how they function.

Members are the union. It’s such an obvious statement. But it comes as a shock to some members of the public that the head of the teachers’ union is a teacher, that the business manager of a trade union has worked on the tools and holds the top position because of being elected by co-workers.

Lee Loftus, president of the BC Building Trades Council, said there are many ways to help your union and “there’s not one piece that’s more important than another.” He said he’d like to see more members attending union meetings so that they can get involved in setting the course of the organization. “It’s crucial that it’s not just a core group of people that are making all the decisions.”

Union business goes way beyond negotiations and administering benefit and pension plans. “When you get a call to assist as a volunteer in a charitable way or in a demonstration, try to find the time to do that,” Loftus said. “It’s not a big deal and the payoff to you and the union is phenomenal.”

Jeremy Carlson, the youth rep for Insulators Local 118, has been working 12-hour shifts at Harmac Pulp Mill in Nanaimo for the past 14 days and was working in the North before that. “I’ve been away for a month and a half. It’s hard on me,” he admitted. He’s 28 and he and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in April. “But the union has given me so much,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt to give back. I make time,” he said.

His union has appointed him to the youth committees of the Canadian Labour Congress, the BC Federation of Labour and Vancouver and District Labour Council. He likes working at all three levels and he’s made good friends with the youth activists from the other unions. “You have these bright, intelligent people beside you— we’re almost fearless. We want to see advances. The ideas are so grand—it just makes you smile. You’re serving all the [local union] members and you get a sense of accomplishment.”

His commitment to union principles extends beyond his own union. If he sees workers from other unions walking a picket line, he always goes off to buy doughnuts and coffee. Although the money comes out of his own pocket, he hands them out saying, “These are courtesy of Insulators Local 118. “It’s just my thing,” he said. “My girlfriend used to say, ‘Are you stopping again?’ and I’d say ‘Yes I am.’ She doesn’t even ask anymore.”

Carlson said it would be good to have more building trade representatives on the youth committee of the Vancouver and District Labour Council.

Thanks to everyone that came out to the annual 1003 picnic. Turn out was pretty good, just a few less than last year. We had lots of food and good company. There was some rain but, with how dry it is, no-one seemed to mind. Thanks to Dale Anderson, Ray Keen, Ryan Rosse, and Tim Lucas for doing setup, cooking, and cleanup. Thanks to Cullen Pinter for providing us with some awesome guitar playing. Proceeds from the 50/50 draw, about $86, went to the Nelson food bank along with some surplus food.

Ladders are in play for so much of an electrician’s daily routine that using them becomes second nature. On one hand, this is good — if you’re using them safely and correctly. But if your ladder safety habits aren’t up to snuff, this neglect can lead to a minor injury at best and death at worst.

Observe Ladder Weight Limits

Ladders receive three ratings. Category I ladders are light-duty ladders designed for household use. A professional electrician might use these ladders for a basic light bulb swap. Category II ladders are for commercial use and are rated for up to 225 pounds. Type III ladders are heavy-duty industrial ladders and are rated for up to 250 pounds.

Exceeding the weight limit is a safety hazard. When investing in a ladder, it’s wise to buy one rated to hold more weight than you think you might need. You never know when you’ll have to climb carrying heavy equipment. Risking your life on a ladder rated for a lesser weight could cause the ladder to shift, buckle or break. It isn’t worth it.

Inspect and Perform Ladder Maintenance Daily

If you’re a busy electrical contractor, your ladder sees plenty of daily use, so it’s vital to perform a thorough inspection at the start of each work day. Examine the supports and rungs for cracks, buckling, warping, weather damage or any other sign of weakness. Perform a similar inspection of the base to ensure it’s sturdy and solid.

Ladders pick up dirt and debris no matter where you work. Get in the habit of wiping down your ladder at the end of each work day.

Use Your Ladder Safely

Improper use is arguably the biggest factor in ladder-related accidents. Set up your ladder in accordance with OSHA safety standards. Place the ladder on solid, level ground and ensure the base isn’t wobbly or shifting. Keep it away from entryways and exits. If you must use the ladder in a high traffic area, block off doors and alert others to its presence.

• If possible, have someone spot you or hold the ladder as you work. If this isn’t possible, consider strapping or securing the ladder.

• When climbing a ladder, don’t carry more weight than you can safely manage.

• Maintain good posture and climb as slowly as you feel necessary. Taking a little extra time to ascend or descend the ladder is worth it to avoid injury.

• Don’t lean across the ladder or place yourself in a way that could cause the ladder to come off balance.

• A good rule of thumb is to position your tool belt buckle directly between the rails of the ladder and try to keep it in that spot as much as possible.

Avoid Conductive Materials

As a professional electrician, you know that even non-conductive materials can become conductive when exposed to high voltages. Fiberglass and wood ladders are safer choices than aluminum or steel, but even they can become energized under the right conditions, especially if the supports or hardware are made of conductive metal.

Conductive ladders aren’t insulated, which means they won’t protect you from an electrical shock if exposed to live electricity. Choosing a non-conductive ladder can mean the difference between serious injury or a nasty shock.

Working around live electricity is hard enough, but maintaining a standard of safety is essential. It’s not hard to forget ladder safety when you’re in a rush; it’s even easier to fall into the trap of thinking that a ladder accident won’t happen to you. Accidents happen to everyone – by choosing the right ladder for the job and training yourself in daily safety procedures, you reduce your risks of injury or death.

Henry Miller, who died more than 110-years ago, was the founder, first president and driving force behind the first union of electrical workers in North America the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Click on the video to watch …

(sorry the audio is a bit quiet)

Recently, there has been a great deal of attention given to the problem of workplace absenteeism. According to the most recent information from Statistics Canada, the average Canadian worker was away from work for the equivalent of almost two weeks in a year. Those 9.3 days lost translate to 2.4% of gross annual payroll, or $16.6 billion for Canadian employers in 2012.

Casual absences account for 80% of lost days for most businesses, and in most cases, these absences are not supported by any sort of medical note or certificate.

Absenteeism drives significant cost for the economy. In addition to lost productivity, companies may have to bring in a temporary worker or pay other workers overtime in order to attempt to recoup lost output. Product or project delivery may be delayed, customer satisfaction may lag, sales may be lost, employee morale may flag, key employees may get frustrated and leave…the indirect costs of absenteeism can be significant and long lasting.

Part of our Code of Excellence says we will, “Arrive to work on time, ready and willing to work.” Today’s workplace is much more competitive than in the past especially in regard to project owners considering the use of  unorganized workers and non-Union companies. We need to show our commitment to being better … showing up for work reliably everyday and on time. Absence and Tardiness on our part can be factors when its time for a project owner to consider the next round of bids for work we hope to garner.

Keep your distance and learn how “step potential” can injure or kill you just by walking near downed wires.

Click on the video to watch about step potential.