Cannabis is now legal in Canada
ECAO

If you are an ECAO member contractor and do not yet have login details, please reach out to Kamakshi at kahluwalia@ecao.org.

Is the Canadian workplace ready for recreational cannabis?
CONSTRUCTION LINKS

According to a new poll from Ipsos, commissioned by ADP Canada, the changing legal status of cannabis in Canada highlights a disconnect between employers and employees, especially as it relates to when and how cannabis can be consumed at work.

The survey indicates that there is a disconnect between managers and employees which stems from their understanding of formal policies and guidelines surrounding the use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace. While 75 per cent of managers say they are aware of such policies in their places of employment, only 64 per cent of non-managers say the same.

 ECAO Labour Relations Update

Joint Proposal: Tentative Agreement reached
ECAO

The Electrical Trade Bargaining Agency (ETBA) of the ECAO and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction Council of Ontario (IBEW/CCO) reached a tentative Joint Proposal earlier this month.

It has been sent out to IBEW members and ECAs for ratification. If ratified, local bargaining will take place between November 2, 2018 and January 18, 2019 with the assistance of a mediator if agreed upon by the area ECA and local union. Provincial bargaining is scheduled to take place the week of February 11, 2019.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Provincial Bargaining between the ETBA and IBEW/CCO and the Joint Proposal (no strike/no lockout agreement), Scott Thompson of Hicks Morley submitted an article in the last issue of our magazine, with Part Two being published in our upcoming issue.

 Industry News

2018-2021 Student Work-Integrated Learning Program Is Now Accepting Applications
ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY CANADA

(Shown in photo: Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, with elected officials and co-op students from OPG at a launch ceremony.)

ELed by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) and funded by the federal government, “Empowering Futures” will create up to 1000 new work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities in electricity over three years. Wage subsidies up to $7,000 will be available to employers who create new WIL opportunities such as co-ops, internships, field placements, applied projects, capstone projects or case competitions. The goal of the program is to help young Canadians transition from school to work. It is aimed to target women in science, Indigenous students, people with disabilities and newcomers.

 ECAO Upcoming Events - Save the Dates

ECAO Annual Conference Nashville, September 25- 29, 2019
ECAO

Mark your calendars for next September to join us in Nashville. ECAO is currently planning several activities for attendees to enjoy the best events in Nashville, including the Grand Old Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

NETCO National Training Committee meeting – October 25, 2018 via teleconference

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum – AGM and Pre-apprenticeship Roundtable – October 18, 2018, Ottawa

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum – Supporting Women in Trades Symposium – November 6 & 7, Halifax – NETCO Executive Director attending

NETCO Board of Directors meeting – November 28, 2018, Toronto

Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Town Halls on Risk Based Assessment
THE STATE GROUP

You're Invited: ESA Town Halls Are Coming To Your Area!

ESA is moving to Risk-based Oversight (RBO) for electrical wiring by 2020. We'd like your input on how these changes could affect you, your customers and your business. We will also like to review decisions made about the Authorized Contractor Program (ACP) in light of feedback received from the industry.

• JOIN US at one of our Town Halls and provide feedback directly to ESA. Help us shape the future of electrical safety in Ontario
• REGISTER for a RBO town hall in your area at https://www.esasafe.com/rbo
• FREE There is no cost to attend the workshop. For those who are unable to attend, materials and information will be available online
• ASK A TECHNICAL ADVISOR Q&A will be available to all RBO participants

Make sure to register today for a town hall near you by visiting https://www.esasafe.com/rbo!

ESA will be looking for input from ECAO members on the Electrical Licensing of Contractors. ESA is planning to look to make changes in the upcoming years to make it more streamlined and efficient for contractors to get approved and renewed. If you have any comments please either send to Joe Kurpe or to Cathy Frederickson at cfrederickson@ecao.org.