Friday, February 2, 2018

Team Mentality

The secret to building Ontario's infrastructure successfully? A positive labour relationship and a strong sense of camaraderie

Guide Magazine

From jokes about who can—or who can’t—grow a mustache, to quips that “the worst part of the job is working with this guy, because he gets cranky,” it’s clear that Local 53 members employed by McLean Taylor Construction Limited enjoy working together. There’s a strong sense of camaraderie, and many of the members have been with the company for years—some for over five decades.

The approximately 120 members employed by McLean Taylor, based in St. Marys, Ontario, primarily construct bridges, culverts, roadways, water treatment and waste water treatment facilities, and even warehouses across the province. There is also a crew that puts up barrier walls along highways. Members work as skilled labourers, crane operators, mechanics, equipment operators, and truck drivers.

A wide variety of work provides new challenges on every site—from environmental precautions to preserve waterways, to the ever-present danger of traffic when working near live lanes, to working in small spaces with other companies and trades. But these members all agree that it’s rarely boring.

The employees joined Local 53 almost nine years ago and are about to enter their third round of bargaining.

“This labour relationship began on a positive note and has developed well, with great discussion at the bargaining table, regular communication at labour-management meetings, and resolution of any issues that arise along the way,” says Ryan Griffioen, CLAC representative. “The company encourages union site visits and welcomes feedback from the membership. There is a real team mentality within this company and a recognition of success as a result of a skilled workforce.”

During this past summer, we met a number of the members and asked them about their work, what they do, what they like and don’t like—and who can’t grow a mustache.

Larry (Mickey) Coddington

Labourer, 52 years

“I’m the longest-standing employee. I work four days a week. The work has changed a lot in the last 52 years. Back then, you carried everything in—steel and everything. Now, we use tractors—it’s a lot easier and better. We also used to do all the work by hand—if you wanted something lifted, you did it by hand. If you wanted something cut, you grabbed a hand saw. Much more efficient now.”

Matt Muir

Mechanic, 3 years

“I’ve been a mechanic here for three years but was with a different company before. I mostly work on the highway tractors and trailers and heavy equipment. There’s lots of different stuff to work on. It never gets boring and it’s different every day.”

Derek Houston

Labourer, 6 years

“I’m from Scotland originally. I was a lobster fisherman back in Scotland, so this is completely different than my past work.

“I’m on the barrier wall crew—I was on the bridge crew for five years before that. Our number one concern is the live traffic—it’s always something in the back of your mind. We all keep an eye on what we’re doing and on what’s coming the other way. You just don’t know when a driver’s half asleep.

“We’re also constantly working with other construction companies because there’s several things happening on our job sites at that time, so we’ve got to be able to work together. For instance, you can have line painters painting or obliterating lines while we’re installing barrier walls. We’re all trying to do something at the same time in the same area, so basically making it happen at the same time can be challenging.”

Gary Lajoie

Mechanic/yard, 12 years

“We have all kinds of equipment—a hoe, excavators, skid steers, crane, tractors, concrete pumps. We work on it all. Before this job, I owned an equipment store in town, so I’ve got the background for this work. We’ve got a good group of guys here, and hard work pays off.”

Ian McKichan

Labourer, 6 years

“The best part is working with a good crew and getting stuff done. It’s a really good bunch of guys. And the wages and benefits are decent. The worst part of the job would probably be the weather.”

Josh Smith

Labourer, 4 years

“I tie steel, pour concrete, pull forms—every day is a new story. Nothing is ever the same, because we’re working on one project for a summer then you leave and that’s that. It’s on to the next bridge.”