Sunday, February 28, 2021

Steward Profile

Jonathan Unger, Penn-Co Construction Canada Ltd.

Jonathan Unger has been with Penn-Co Construction for two and a half years as a level 2 apprentice. Currently, he and his fellow Local 152 members are building a school at the Big Trout Lake reservation. We asked Jonathan about his work at Penn-Co, his role as a steward, and how workers can navigate the pandemic.

What are some of the benefits of working for Penn-Co?

The scope of work ranges widely. An individual could be doing grading, subgrade under a slab, all the way to doing cabinet installation and mill work. This gives an excellent backbone for developing various skills and knowledge.

Penn-Co is a growing company. As it expands, it creates outlets for advancement. An example of this would-be the Penn-co civil department.

We enjoy competitive wages, benefits, and pension. In today’s day and age, being able to compete with the rising cost of living and the unexpected is a huge asset for a tradesperson who has a family. In addition to that, we have peace of mind for our future, thanks to the pension plan set-up through CLAC and Penn-Co.

Why did you decide to become a steward?

The steward role piqued my interest due to its ability to help ensure that new hires, apprentices, and even senior individuals’ concerns are voiced. The job market today is highly competitive. There are many companies seeking individuals who are skilled, competent, have a strong work ethic, and a willingness to travel for work.

How do you view your role as steward?

I see my role as a steward as a way to help ensure a healthy environment and relationship between the company and its employees creating a symbiotic relationship and a win-win situation. This in turn helps Penn-Co keep desired individuals as well as my fellow CLAC members happy with their career choice.

What do you find satisfying about being a steward?

The satisfying element for me as steward is the reaction of new hires when I talk them through the benefits, pension, career opportunities, and paths of advancement. I enjoy the ability to act as a compass for new hires as they navigate in some cases a new realm. That for me is the most rewarding.

What frustrates you in the role?

One thing I do find frustrating about the role of a steward is occasionally listening to broken records, as it were. Sometimes, I’m asked being asked the same question over and over in the time period in which action is taken or answers are delivered for issues I cannot give definitive answers or directions. It stands as a reminder but it can shortly cross into that noisy alarm that no one likes. Balancing that and my responsibilities at work can sometimes become cumbersome.

What do workers need help with the most during the pandemic?

To know that there are outlets of help available. Also, to pause a moment, reflect, learn, and find all the silver linings that one can. This pandemic has really showed us how quickly life can get upended and how crucial having the ability to work is. Some of us within the CLAC have been fortunate enough to keep working through this and not skip a beat. For that we should be grateful. Others have not been as fortunate.

Those who weren’t fortunate enough should try their best not to focus solely on the negative, but rather try to see it as an opportunity to be given a pass from the rat race of life and enjoy the little things we take for granted. Spend time with your family, declutter that everything drawer, clean the garage, learn a new skill, try a new recipe, have a second cup of coffee in the morning.

After stopping to enjoy those things, sit down and reflect. Ask yourself the tough questions. Was I prepared for this? What is my path to recovering from this? How do I better prepare for something like this or sudden job loss? I think this coping method might help some workers navigate this pandemic.

Steward Profile

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