The Canadian Glass Association newsletter brings industry news from across the country.
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| Dieter Ringler, CGA president |
The Canadian Glass Association (CGA) held an executive board meeting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on May 5, 2006. This was hosted by the Glass Dealers Association of Saskatchewan (GDAS) in conjunction with its Annual General Meeting, Trade Show and Banquet. I would like to thank Ken Kassian, the employees at Dynamic Glass & Door and the directors of the GDAS for their hospitality and for holding such a well organized event.
There were a few items on the CGA’s meeting agenda that addressed some current issues which will affect many people in the glass industry. They included registering the glazing trade with provincial or federal governments, attracting students to the glazing trades, increasing our contact with the autoglass sector, investigation into energy surcharges for flat glass products and updates to the Glazing Systems Specification Manual as it is currently being adopted in Ontario. We also discussed setting up a Lifetime Membership Award on a national level. Watch for more details in upcoming CGA newsletter published in Glass Canada magazine.
Some of our executive directors submitted reports detailing specific issues and other items that are related to the industry in their respective provinces.
GDAS
Ken Kassian, from the Glass Dealers Association of Saskatchewan (GDAS), reports that “The association held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), Trade Show and Banquet on May 6 in Saskatoon. The day started off with a welcome breakfast sponsored by AFG Glass. The breakfast had more than 50 participants confirmed. The breakfast was followed by four seminars in breakout rooms. Seminar topics included: autoglass repair, autoglass installation certification with urethane, rain screen principals, and flat glass with emphasis on low-E.
“There was also a round-table discussion on training and retention with representation from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Board, Canadian Glass Association (CGA), GDAS and employers from around the province. Following the AGM there was a mini trade show with displays from 12 different suppliers to the glass trade featuring new products and product information. The day concluded with a banquet and entertainment with more than 120 guests registered.
“In order to put on this event, the GDAS receives a tremendous amount of support from suppliers and members in buying supporting sponsorships, display booths and donation of door prizes. This event allows industry professionals to network with others in the glass industry and obtains information and best practices which hopefully strengthens our industry.”
Autoglass
“The GDAS Auto Glass Committee has been in negotiations with the Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) Company to obtain a fair market price for the installation of autoglass. As of May 5, we have not reached an agreement. The largest stumbling block is what is being charged by glass shops to retail customers out of the insurance claim process.”
Apprenticeship
“The association continues to promote the apprenticeship program to its members. To this end, the association offers two Lloyd Glass Apprenticeship Bursaries to employees of member shops who are enrolled in the first or second year programs. The bursary is for $500 each. Unfortunately, we are only able to give one of these bursaries due to only receiving one application. This year’s successful applicant is Steve Wicinski who is employed with Dynamic Glass & Door of Saskatoon. The bursary was presented at the AGM banquet.”
Coming events
“The association’s annual Bill Knapman Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on August 26 at the Harbor Golf Resort in Elbow, Saskatchewan.” -end-
GTA
Ross Wady, from the Glass Trades Association (GTA) of Northern Alberta, reports that “Our local association based here in Edmonton has been extremely busy this past year. We have increased our membership 15 percent to 33 members and expect an increase to 40 members for 2007. Our monthly general meetings have been well attended with more than 80 percent of our membership at each meeting. We attribute this excellent participation to informative guest speakers, an excellent buffet meal and a meeting agenda that sticks to business. A ‘Contract’ (storefront) Committee has been established to address concerns of this membership group. We are in the process of establishing an ‘Autoglass’ Committee and expect our autoglass membership group to be going strong in 2007.
“Our association has targetted its first meeting of the new year to roll out the new GTA web site. We expect the layout to be similar to our sister organization in Calgary (www.gamaweb.org) and our British Columbia counterpart (www.gca.bc.org). Our new web site will offer an exciting improvement in our ability to communicate with our members and other industry stakeholders.
“With all that is happening, we barely have time for a social life. But what would life be without golf? Our association organized two golf tournaments this year. The first one, which is our association golf tournament, was held at The Links course in Spruce Grove on June 10. The second is the combined GAMA-GTA golf tournament at the Alberta Springs course in Red Deer, held on August 11.
“The annual GTA Christmas party will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2006. We enjoyed the company of more than 200 of our peers at last year’s party and look forward to an entertaining evening again this year.
“Congratulations to Nathan Bos of Beacon Glass on receiving the top 4th year Apprentice Award. This award is issued by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Program. Our association is pleased to congratulate Jamie Power of Diamond Glass on winning the Bill Blakney Award for the best 2nd year apprentice.
“On a sad note, we mourn the passing of one of our association’s founding members, Bob World, in April. Bob helped found the GTA in 1977 and he was active in our industry for many years. All those people who have dealt with Bob over the years, and I was one of the lucky ones, will attest to all those positive qualities that Bob possessed in spades and that many of us sometimes struggle to achieve in our every day lives. He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
“I would like to thank our executive for all their hard work. We can see the value of teamwork and our association’s executive are all Stanley Cup winners. They are: from AFG Glass, Michael Czernick, our 1st vice-president; from Century Glass, Mike Mancini, our 2nd vice-president; from Kawneer, Wayne Brandt, our secretary; from Bahrys Glass, Joe Millard, our treasurer; from U.S. Aluminum, Rick Zuchetto, our past-president; and from All Glass Parts, Ross Wady, our president.” -end-
PGAA
Keith Pynoo, director for the Provincial Glaziers Association of Alberta (PGAA), reports that “We had our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 24 in Red Deer. As we did not have a quorum due to winter weather, the change to the bylaws that we had hoped to make were delayed until the next AGM which will be February 24, 2007. This change consists of deleting the position of apprenticeship/safety committee chairman as the position has been vacant for a number of years.
“At the AGM the new executive was installed. The new executive and board of directors consist of: president, Tom Woodman; 1st vice-president, Morry Hunt; 2nd vice-president, Steve Petersen; secretary, Dwayne Stolz; and treasurer, Henry Szewczyk.The directors are: Rob Pedersen, Keith Pynoo, Eric Johnson, Ross Wady and Brent Harder.
“The award to the top 4th year apprentice was presented to Nathan Bos who is employed by Beacon Glass, a member of the GTA. A ceremony was held on February 17 in Edmonton where Nathan was presented with the award from the PGAA. I would like to thank Decorator Glass and Mirror for their donation of the art work to the glass trophy that Nathan received. All companies are very busy with the business at hand, so it was very much appreciated that Decorator would take the time to help with the trophy.
“The issue of liability insurance for directors of organizations, such as the PGAA and the GTA, was a large part of our discussions at the AGM. We have approached the insurance industry to see if the PGAA could take out the policies required and cover the PGAA, GTA and GAMA directors. I would like to thank Wayne Brandt for doing the legwork on this issue.
“Discussions also arose regarding the formation of a shared database between PGAA, GTA and GAMA to record and maintain membership records, dues and so on. We will be discussing this with the respective secretaries and treasurers of GTA and GAMA. We also discussed keeping communications open between PGAA and GTA and GAMA. I would like to see all organizations, PGAA, GTA, GAMA and CGA, sharing copies of their meeting minutes so that we can all keep on top of what is going on in each of the organizations.” -end-
AGMCA
Dennis Haatvedt, from the Architectural Glass and Metal Contractors Association (AGMCA), reports that “Workers’ Compensation costs are a major concern for the glass and glazing sector. For every $100 on payroll, registered glass and glazing firms pay $8.90. Premium rates are calculated based on the performance if its industry sector in addition to the short and long-term commitments resulting from claims. Also included is the collective, past and present, construction industry’s $2 billion Unfunded Liability, which is made up of accumulated costs from decades of claims from thousands of firms which are no longer in existence.
“We as an industry have a collective interest in making sure all those performing work in our glass and glazing sector pay their fair share into Workers’ Compensation. Those who work in the industry should be expected to contribute industry premiums, which would most certainly be reduced if everybody were to fund the system on an equal and fair basis.
“The association intends to reconstitute a joint program between AGMCA and the Workers’ Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) entitled Operation Level Playing Field. This effort will identify all contractors working in our industry to ensure they are registered and in the right category.
“Our first joint program proved quite successful with more than 300 firms being identified as either not registered properly and many not registered at all. There were some 130 plus audits performed by the WSIB resulting in fines and assessments of $120,000.
“AGMCA has, in the past few months, met again with the WSIB to discuss a 2006 joint project. The association has already begun its research in anticipation of a final go-ahead from the WSIB. Not surprisingly, it has identified some 450 entities that are not on the listings of Glass and Glazier WSIB Contributions.
“The WSIB issue is just one of many facing the building and construction industry at large. The underground economy in Ontario continues to fuel many problems. Governments on all levels have for years ignored the problem and until recently, are now starting to wake up. The AGMCA is extremely active in its role of representing all unionized contractors in Ontario.
“Closely connected to the association’s labour relations responsibilities is the important task of participating in apprenticeship and employee training. There are three levels of bodies that complement and provide direction and support, to which the association plays a major role. First, there is the Ontario Glazier Apprenticeship and Training Committee (OGATC), which is a joint labour and management committee recognized within the Provincial Collective Agreement to oversee the funding and delivery of apprenticeship and training programs for the unionized sector.
“Second, there is the Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) to the glazier and metal mechanic trades, a body of representatives from management and labour appointed by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to advise on matters related to the Trades Regulations and Standards. And third, there are the local apprenticeship committees. One is the Ottawa area and a newly reconstituted committee serving Toronto, Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo. These committees are also subject to the appointment and scrutiny of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. However, these are very important in overseeing the daily activities of the training centres providing apprenticeship training and the status of the apprentices and journeypersons within the unionized membership ranks.
“The AGMCA is, with other trade sectors, participating in the ministry’s review of Ontario’s apprenticeship system. This association hopes that the outcome will provide for a more effective government role, added benefits for participating employers and some important changes to the provincial Trade Qualification Apprenticeship Act (TQAA).
“The AGMCA is pleased to participate in the development of an Ontario Glazing Systems Specification Manual. We met in April with the Ontario Glass and Metal Association (OGMA) and the National Capital Glass Association (NCGA) to receive an initial report from John Mastrofini, P.Eng., the consultant chosen to head up the task of reviewing and making suggested changes to the British Columbia manual that will ultimately serve as the model for Ontario. All participants have agreed to take some time to review Mastrofini’s comments and suggestions. The Ontario
associations will meet again to further discuss and direct their efforts.
“At previous CGA meetings, the AGMCA addressed the concerns and problems experienced by sub-
contractors. The association had, in April, set up a seminar for its members to address and counsel participants on contract concerns and problems. The seminar, entitled Getting That Last Cheque, featured the association’s legal council, Ian Godfrey of Heenan Blaikie, a very large law practice.
“The seminar session proved very successful. Some of the more important discussion topics included: managing and identifying risk, administering the contract, your lien rights, claiming under payment bonds, signal of trouble ahead, the contract, external and internal controls, trust remedies, managing payment during the job and contractual mechanisms to protect yourselves.
“It is important to have in place the framework for our association to quickly respond to issues that may have an adverse effect on our members and industry at large. AGMCA’s board of directors and committee members recognize this responsibility and are dedicated to representing its members’ collective interests.” -end-
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