We have important news to share regarding a leadership change within Lodge 359.
While it is difficult to see Brother Gord Weel move on from Lodge 359, we wish to share that as of October 1, 2025, Gord will be continuing his career as an International Representative with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Gord’s leadership, dedication, and tireless commitment have left an indelible mark on our members and the success of our Lodge. Gord held several roles in our office, starting in Apprenticeship and Training, then Assistant Business Manager and eventually becoming Business Manager in 2023. Though Gord’s daily presence will be greatly missed, we take pride in knowing he will continue to represent the values and strength of our union on a larger stage.
Moving forward, Brother Kwok, our current Lodge President, has appointed Brother Dave French as the Interim Business Manager, in accordance with the IBB Constitution. An election will be held to fill the vacant Business Manager position. Originally, nominations were scheduled for November with the election to follow in December; however, due to the ongoing postal strike, proper notice to the membership could not be ensured. In response, IBB President Simmons has directed Lodge 359 to hold nominations in January 2026 and elections in February 2026. This adjustment will allow sufficient time to address any concerns related to mail delivery and ensure all members receive proper communication regarding the process.
Members are encouraged to monitor communications for further information regarding these proceedings.
Business Managers report:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to provide an update on the early stages of bargaining between the British Columbia Building and Construction Trades Bargaining Council (BCBCBTU) and the Construction Labour Relations Association of BC (CLRA), in preparation for the renewal of our Collective Agreement, which is set to expire on April 30, 2026.
The BCBCBTU, representing all affiliated building trades unions—including Boilermakers Local 359—has begun preparatory discussions and coordination to ensure a strong, united approach to bargaining. The Council is currently reviewing industry conditions, market trends, and input from other building trade unions to establish the key priorities that will guide upcoming negotiations with the CLRA.
Within Local 359, we continue our internal consultation process, which includes gathering member feedback, reviewing contract language, and identifying key areas for improvement and protection. This process is essential to shaping our proposals and ensuring that your interests are strongly represented at the bargaining table.
Several key themes have already emerged as top priorities for consideration:
- Wage growth reflective of current & future industry conditions
- Travel and subsistence provisions
- Enhancements to training and apprenticeship supports
- Language improvements to strengthen job security and working conditions
These priorities reflect both the realities of our industry and our commitment to maintaining the high standards of skill, safety, and professionalism that define Boilermakers across British Columbia.
The proposal exchange took place on November 3, 2025, and we expect more formal bargaining preparations to continue through November and December 2025. Active negotiations are scheduled to begin in January 2026, taking place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until we approach the expiry of the current agreement.
Regular updates will be provided at our General Meetings as discussions progress, ensuring that all members remain informed and engaged throughout the bargaining process.
As always, the strength of our union lies in our solidarity and active participation. I encourage all members to stay informed, attend upcoming meetings, and share your thoughts with your job stewards.
Thank you for your continued professionalism, hard work, and support as we move forward together toward a fair and progressive agreement for 2026 and beyond.
In Solidarity,
Dave French
Interim Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer
Boilermakers Local 359
President / Kitimat Projects Report:
LNG Canada Project
Waiward continues to provide maintenance at LNG Canada, with 14 Boilermakers currently on the maintenance crew. We anticipate having updates regarding the seconds phase of the project, including the second tank, some time in 2026.
As of the end of October, all FCCL Boilermakers will have completed their work and fully demobilized from site, marking the conclusion of a major chapter in the LNG Canada project. This has been a significant undertaking that showcased the dedication and expertise of our membership. We want to extend our sincere thanks to every member who contributed to this milestone project. The Boilermakers’ professionalism, skill, and commitment to safety have not gone unnoticed — we’ve received a great deal of positive feedback from both the contractor and the client, highlighting the exceptional work of our members. The success of this project stands as a testament to the quality of work that Boilermakers are known for, and each of you should take pride in being part of such an achievement.
ISO Division Update
Unfortunately, this year has brought a few setbacks within our shop sector. We lost several shops due to a mix of factors — company sales, industry changes, and the current political environment.
Peerless, a long-time signatory shop with Lodge 359, sold its assets to Doepker this past spring. The good news is that Doepker has agreed to continue operations under the Peerless agreement and has retained a few members in a smaller facility in Summerland, with the goal of expanding their workforce in the future.
Valmont West Coast Engineering also closed its doors to our members a few months later. Sadly, there are no longer any Boilermakers working under that agreement.
On a positive note, we continue to have strong partnerships with our remaining shops, including BMM, Farr Fabricating, and Inter-kraft, which remain active and provide steady work for our members. Additionally, we are focused on expanding our ISO Division and creating new opportunities for growth in the coming year.
Organizing & Growth
There are encouraging developments taking place on the organizing front. Our International is in full organizing mode and has introduced a new incentive program designed to boost membership and strengthen our presence in the industrial sector. Current data shows that most Canadians agree that unions deliver better jobs, fairer working conditions and more respect in the workplace. Meanwhile only 24% of manufacturing workplaces in Canada are unionized. Now is the time to act. Every Boilermaker has a friend, neighbour or acquaintance who needs representation in their workplace. Many of these workers could benefit from the support of a union, and we’re here to help them find that strength
If you know anyone working in a non-union shop who may be interested in organizing and joining the Boilermakers, please encourage them to get in touch with us at the General Office or reach out directly to one of our International Organizers — Dalas Santavy (dsantavy@boilermakers.org) or Rick Vanderveen (rvanderveen@boilermakers.org). Members who assist in organizing new shops may be eligible for monetary incentives of up to $2,000.
From all of us at Lodge 359, we sincerely thank you for all your hard work throughout this year. Your professionalism, skill, and unity have made a real difference across every project.
In Solidarity,
Jeremy Kwok
Business Representative and Lodge 359 President
Dispatcher’s Report:
As the work season and long-term projects have wrapped up, we are heading into 2026 with CIMS and TVE expected to have the majority of the upcoming shutdown work.
First few Shutdowns / Capital Projects: set to begin in the first quarter of 2026:
- Parkland Refinery, Burnaby (Major Outage) 100+ BMS
- Pembina Spheres, Prince Rupert (Long Term) 50 BMs (25 / Shift)
- Woodfibre LNG (Water Tank) 5-6 BMs
Upcoming Tentative megaprojects (Revelstoke #6, Kitimat LNG Canada Phase 2, Tilbury Phase 2) are in the bidding stages at this time Revelstoke could have boots on the ground as early as summer of 2026. CIMS & TVE are projected to be very busy with Shutdowns Beginning in April.
Travel card opportunities: There will be many Travel card jobs available across Canada, beginning in March.
In fall of 2025 there were over 100 of our members working in other provinces (L271, L555, L146, L128)
Members interested in travel carding should ensure they have an account set up on the IBB Travel Card website. If you need help setting up an account or navigating the website, please call the General Office at 778-369-3590.
If any members need nuclear clearance forms, please reach out to Local 128 for questions and find the forms here.
Lodge 146 typically posts their jobs on their website. You can check when work orders are open to travel card members here.
As always, don’t forget to call posting (778-369-3591) and place a “Travel card tag” on your name once you have secured a job at another local. This will ensure your Health & Welfare, Dues & Pension will come back to your plan at 359.
Other Trade Unions such as Local 1, Local 506, & Lafarge (District Loge 385) will be hiring throughout the year. Along with UA170 & Local 97 looking for assistance to fill calls when the opportunities arise. When working as a permit for any other Union please place a regular tag on your name. When you tag out (Travel card tag , sick tag, regular tag) you still will maintain your board position and move up the board.
Emergency Jobs: There were many emergency jobs dispatched in 2025, and the trend of emergency dispatches is expected to continue into 2026. All successfully completed on time, on budget and safely, thanks to the membership.
I’d like to give recognition to our members who have been able to take these calls and for any everyone on the board ready to take them when they get the chance.
We’ve received thank you letters from clients such as Veolia, Paper Excellence, and others, recognizing the professionalism and efficiency our members have shown on the job this year. These compliments speak volumes about the quality of work the membership delivers every day on the job. At the same time, it’s essential that we protect our reputation on every site, as the actions of even one individual can impact how clients view all of us. With Non-Union competition continuing to grow across the province, maintaining our standard of conduct and professionalism is more important than ever.
MemberLink:
We encourage all members to create a MemberLink account, which can be accessed here: https://memberlink.boilermakers359.org
Using MemberLink offers several key advantages. Most importantly, when you post back through your MemberLink account, you are immediately placed back on the board. In contrast, posting back via the phone line can result in a delay of 4 hours to 3 days, potentially causing you to miss emergency job calls over weekends or after hours.
With your MemberLink account, you can also:
- View your JRD ticket expiry dates
- Upload new safety tickets
- Check your board position and current status
- More
Take full advantage of these features by setting up your account today. If you need assistance, call the general office for help : 778-369-3590
JRD (Job Ready Dispatch): A reminder to all members to ensure your Job Ready Dispatch tickets are up to date before the 2026 shutdown season begins. Locations for renewing expired tickets can be found on our website, along with online links for Fall Arrest and Confined Space ticket renewals here. For online courses, please send a screenshot of your invoice and pictures of the renewed ticket(s) to JRD@Boilermakers359.org for reimbursement. It is also wise to always keep your tickets up to date as Emergency jobs pop up when its slow, & you don’t want to miss out on those opportunities when they come up.
Beneficiary Information + Health & Welfare:
For changes to beneficiaries under the death assessment policy, please call the Union General Office at 778-369-3590
For changes related to life insurance and pension, contact the Benefit Administrators’ office (Convyta) at 1-877-926-4537
It’s important to notify both offices when making beneficiary changes.
Mental Health Supports:
If any members are experiencing mental health issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to our provider, Telus Health. Remember, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. You can find the following information below:
- Telus Health One App
- Website: https://app.lifeworks.com/
- Username: 359member
- Password: lifeworks
All interactions with Telus Health are strictly confidential, ensuring your privacy and peace of mind. The program is free, anonymous, and available 24/7.
Whether you’re facing a crisis or just need someone to talk to, Telus Health offers a range of resources to support your mental well-being. If any members are having difficulties, don’t hesitate to reach out to the hall so we can point you in the right direction and get you the help you need.
Boilermaker Trade Curriculum Development:
Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of representing our trade on both the Federal Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) and Provincial SkilledTradesBC committees as a Subject Matter Expert. These roles have allowed me to work alongside Boilermaker Brothers and Sisters from across the country to update and modernize our Trade curriculum – ensuring it reflects the real work we do out in the field every day. I’d also like to acknowledge Local 359 members Brother Roger Prior and Brother Trent Anderson, who have both made significant contributions to these committees as well. It’s been an honour to contribute on the memberships behalf, and I’ll continue to stay involved in these initiatives moving forward. Info on updated Red Seal Program here: https://red-seal.ca/eng/trades/boilermakers/overview.shtml
In closing, its been another year of great accomplishments, and I’m confident that the membership will continue to demonstrate to our clients why Local 359 is the best in the industry.
In Solidarity,
Collin Robertson
Dispatcher / Business Representative
Hydro Projects Report:
The Site C project officially wrapped up for the Boilermakers in July 2025. A huge thank-you goes out to every member who had the pain—or pleasure—of being part of this monumental build. Thanks to your hard work, the dam is now fully operational, with all six turbines online and generating more than 1,100 megawatts of clean energy for the province.
Revelstoke Unit 6 Project Update
Project Overview
BC Hydro’s Revelstoke Unit 6 Project will add a sixth 500 MW generating unit to the Revelstoke Dam. The dam was built with space for six units — this expansion will use the final bay, boosting BC’s clean-power capacity to meet future energy demand and electrification goals.
Timeline & Progress
- Construction Start: Spring 2026
- Major Work Underway: by 2028
- In-Service Date: Targeted for 2032
- EAC Extension: BC Environmental Assessment Office approved a five-year extension (construction must start by Nov 2028)
Workforce & Economic Impact
- Estimated Workforce: 130 workers by 2027, peaking around 160 by 2029 (all trades)
- Employment Generated: ~450 person-years of work
- Local Hire Commitment: 32% (local content under CHCA)
- Local Spending: $45–$60 million in goods, materials, and services
Key 2026 Activities
- Site preparation and access upgrades
- Expansion of warehouse and storage areas
- Penstock fabrication and installation
- Turbine and generator assembly
Community & Housing
The Province and BC Hydro have approved construction of supportive housing in Revelstoke for project workers. Once the project is complete, these units will transition to permanent supportive housing for the community.
Indigenous & Community Engagement
BC Hydro is consulting with the Syilx Okanagan, Ktunaxa, and Secwepemc Nations, as well as the City of Revelstoke and regional stakeholders, to ensure local participation, training opportunities, and cultural protections.
Union Priorities
- Maintain logbooks, certifications, and travel-card status for upcoming calls.
- Monitor worker housing availability and advocate for Boilermaker accommodations.
- Support apprenticeship and Indigenous training pathways.
- Stay informed via Lodge 359 dispatch updates and BC Hydro’s public notices.
- Project Markup
In Summary
Revelstoke 6 represents one of BC Hydro’s largest generation expansions in decades — a major opportunity for skilled trades. With construction expected to ramp up in 2026, members should be prepared for long-term work and ensure all qualifications are current.
Prince Rupert Spheres Update
Horton CBI has the contract for the Spheres in Prince Rupert, and will also be starting in Spring of 2026, it will be a Camp job. Working 14 and 7. I will have more updates in the new year about the contract and duration.
In Solidarity,
Martin Hertweck
Business Representative
Apprentice Coordinators report:
Boilermakers Lodge 359 continues to strengthen its apprenticeship and training programs, ensuring that members are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to meet the growing demands of the industry.
In partnership with BCIT, the Lodge has recently enhanced the Foundations Program to include new components such as The History of Lodge 359, Telehandler Training, TELUS Health Orientation, and the Boilermaker Code of Conduct course. These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to addressing the evolving needs of our members and the broader construction and maintenance sectors.
The Apprenticeship Program remains strong, with a steady influx of new apprentices. Recent collaborations with local trade schools, high schools, and industry partners have further increased awareness of the Boilermakers Lodge 359 and the opportunities it offers within the trade.
Lodge 359 also remains dedicated to the continued education of journeypersons, offering a range of advanced courses including Field Level Supervisor Training, Shop Steward Training, Forklift, MEWP, Telehandler, and Scissor Lift training, as well as Welding Upgrade Courses and PWP Testing. These initiatives ensure that our members remain leaders in quality, and technical excellence.
Overall, Boilermakers Lodge 359 is proud to maintain high standards in training and professional development—ensuring that every member is well-prepared to excel in their trade and contribute to the continued success of our organization.
In Solidarity,
Sat Chatta
Apprentice Coordinator