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Every day, lineworkers across Canada work to keep electricity flowing into our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. They are the highly trained women and men who work on installing and maintaining the complex hydro grid across cities, provinces, and territories. Often faced with working in extreme conditions, lineworkers are trained to work efficiently, safely, and collaboratively to keep the lights on.

National Lineworker Appreciation Day campaign launched on October 2, 2018, with events celebrating lineworkers taking place all across Canada. Electricity Canada dedicated this day to launch a petition calling on the government to formally recognize July 10 as National Lineworker Appreciation Day; the petition was tabled in the House of Commons by Member of Parliament (and IBEW member), Daniel Blaikie on May 31, 2019.

July 10 marks the anniversary of the death of Henry Miller, the founder and first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), in 1896.

In appreciation for their commitment to serve fellow Canadians, IBEW recognizes and supports these women and men by celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day on July 10 (of every year).

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Pete Cool found a good place to land in the IBEW when he retired from the Royal Navy after 17 years of service. Now he wants to ensure that other military veterans have the same experience. Maybe even better.

Cool, a Red Seal electrician and member of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Local 1928, is the First District representative on the IBEW’s Veterans Committee. He’s sent a questionnaire to Canadian veterans who are IBEW members, asking how the Brotherhood can better meet their needs.

Anyone who has not received the survey can go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/GQ7GWW6 to access it. You can also email Cool at ibewveteransd1@gmail.com.

“One of the main objectives is to promote the hiring of veterans in Canada,” said Cool, who was named to the committee in April 2022 and attended the International Convention in Chicago as a delegate. “Another is to support IBEW members who are veterans in their communities in any way we can and help with their well-being.”

Cool has been a Local 1928 member for seven years. He left the Navy as a petty officer 1st class following a career that included stints in the Arabian Sea as the Iraq War began in 2002 and serving with NATO forces.

IBEW leaders in the U.S. and Canada have said veterans usually make excellent members because they’re disciplined and good at finishing tasks and following instructions. Cool agrees.

“I was an electrical technician in the Navy,” said Cool, a native of Halifax who returned home after serving. “I wanted to supplement the skills I learned in my military service and find employment.”

He’s been a Local 1928 steward for several years at the Tufts Cove Generating Station. Business Manager Jim Sponagle said he’s a good fit for the veterans position, showing many of the traits that have made him a good steward, along with a passion for helping those who served the country.

“He’s tenacious,” Sponagle said. “He gives 110%. He’s like a dog with a bone. He never gives up, and that probably comes from his military background. He puts in a lot of time and effort outside working hours to deal with veterans’ issues.”

Cool said he’s met with Canadian representatives from Helmets to Hardhats, which is supported by the building trades, including the IBEW, and aids veterans in the transition from the military to a career in construction.

Building on those efforts is a priority. He also wants to set up a veterans’ committee that is unique to the First District and Canada, where the issues surrounding veterans who are members might be different for IBEW members in the United States.

He said it is important for veterans to fill out the survey. It will provide important data to First District International Vice President Russ Shewchuk and others in the district office that they can use when meeting with public officials.

“If we get this data, it will make it easier for him and his leadership team to make decisions,” Cool said. “The more veterans we can get to respond to it, the better we will be, and it’s also a good opportunity to get us more connected to one another.”

Cool said some veterans have the skills to adjust to the trades quickly. Others require more training, especially if they need the Red Seal designation.

He said any Canadian veteran looking for a career with the IBEW can contact him if they need assistance.

“Any veteran can reach out to me and I will help out and guide them through the training they need to get employment in the electrical industry,” he said.

Shewchuk thanked Cool for his work.

“I’m very proud of this program and want to see the IBEW in Canada be the first choice for veterans looking to transition into a second career in the skilled trades,” Shewchuk said. “We need to continue to provide these opportunities to those who served and ensure we can assist them with additional support that they may require during their transition.”

First District Veterans Committee representative Pete Cool is studying ways to make it easier for Canada’s veterans to follow him into IBEW membership.  Credit: Creative Commons / Flickr user Royal Canadian Navy

Scan this code to fill out the First District Veterans Committee Engagement Survey

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This is a very important message from IVP Shewchuk 

Greetings:

Yesterday 400 members of Local 636 working for Hydro Ottawa went on strike after attempting unsuccessfully to bargain a new collective agreement. It is important that we support our brothers and sisters in their fight for better working conditions – their fight is our fight.

Some of you may find yourselves in a difficult position working for a signatory contractor under a collective bargaining agreement that regularly performs work for Hydro Ottawa, and this can cause confusion on both sides.

I would ask each and every IBEW member to show your support for these members and ask that the picket line be respected. If the company that you work for is contractually bound to perform work that is not Local 636 bargaining unit work, contact your steward, your business manager or representative, and most importantly speak to the picket captain and follow their instructions.

This is a difficult time for these members, we must show our solidarity and support and hope for a successful conclusion at the bargaining table.

In solidarity,

Russ Shewchuk
International Vice President
First District, CANADA

 

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Greetings:

On behalf of the 1^st District Office staff, we wish you and your families a safe and happy long weekend as you celebrate Canada Day.  Please note that the First District Office will be closed on Friday, June 30^th and will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, July 4th.

In solidarity,

Russ Shewchuk
International Vice President

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                       

June 15, 2023

STATEMENT FROM IBEW CANADA ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S SUSTAINABLE JOBS ACT

IBEW Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Act, which takes a worker-centred, worker-first approach to the jobs in a net-zero economy.

“Through this legislation, the Government is showing their commitment to protecting good-paying, highly skilled jobs,” said Russ Shewchuk, IBEW International Vice President for the First District (Canada). “The IBEW strongly supports this legislation and the policies it introduces to support Canadian workers and their families.

“Canada has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in clean energy and clean technology on our path to net-zero, but we need to ensure that workers and their communities are at the heart of the policy and decision-making process and today’s legislation lays the foundation for our future. IBEW members are proud to have built Canada’s energy and electrical systems and we are ready to build the next generation of clean energy and power our net-zero future.”

“On behalf of our IBEW members and their families, we thank Ministers Jonathan Wilkinson, Carla Qualtrough and Seamus O’Regan for working with Canada’s NDP through the Confidence and Supply agreement on this legislation, and more importantly, for both parties for listening to the voices of Canadian workers and unions like the IBEW.

“Nevertheless, we encourage the government to further strengthen the voice of labour on the Sustainable Jobs Partnership council. Workers deserve to have more of a presence on the Sustainable Jobs Partnership council and the IBEW looks forward to working with the Government on our recommendations as this legislation is discussed and debated,” Shewchuk added.

“The IBEW looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to build a sustainable future for Canada, where Canadian workers can look forward to the kinds of good paying jobs that can build prosperity and security for generations. This plan will ensure Canada’s next generation of skilled electrical workers will build our country to a net-zero future,” Shewchuk concluded.

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