June 8, 2011
Opportunities Open Up For Lodge 191 Members
The work picture is increasing in Victoria for the members of Lodge 191 and the other trades at Victoria Shipyard.
On June 6th, the HMCS Calgary arrives at Victoria Shipyards to launch a five-year, $351-million, mid-life and modernization program for five west coast frigates. Read more about this by clicking here.
The federal government has a $35-billion contract to award this summer for the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) that will create 8,000 direct and indirect jobs in B.C. including steel fabricators and welders from Lodge 191. It involves one of the largest military procurement projects since the Second World War. Read more about this by clicking here.
The last couple of years have been slow for the members of 191 on the homefront. Many of the members took advantage of the Travel Card provisions in the International Constitution to gain employment in other local lodges. Business Manager Jim Fitzpatrick reports "Lodge 191 has been working with Seaspan to win one of these bids" He further added, "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity; if Seaspan does win the bid this will create a path of growth for 191 and open up employment for members of the Boilermakers from across the International for the next 30 years."
International Vice-president, Joesph Maloney, said, "The Boilermakers International is in total support of the NSPS and the Seaspan bid for the contract."