Dear Local Union 740 Membership:
First and foremost, congratulations to the members of Local 740 on their 75th anniversary! This constitutes 75 years of building on success, strengthening your commitments, embracing new skills, and growing the UA footprint. I’m proud of you all!
Every day on the job, we deliver our promise and continue to set a high standard by working safely, productively, and always striving for excellence. We cannot be denied success when we consistently deliver on these characteristics. Our union solidarity is the core principle of our collective action. Supporting your Local Union’s initiatives as they position and align to garner more work for you is paramount. Bottom line: We should not be sharing our skills with any of our competitors!
This brings me to several discussions that I have had with your Business Manager, Bobby Fiander. Brother Fiander and his team have been working hard to ensure UA Local 740 has a presence in offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Both current and previous administrations have delivered on agreements that have placed our members to work in Norway and Spain. In Nova Scotia, the UA and several other building trades unions worked on the Sable Offshore Energy Project for the duration of its operating life. Local 740 had travel cards to assist them with some of that work. Most recently, Local 740 negotiated an agreement to perform the piping fabrication, hook up, and integration of the Cenovus West White Rose project, 350 km from the province’s shoreline. The offshore work is there, and the effort to secure it for our members is strong. Your leadership has the door cracked open and we must walk through it. It’s clear that these agreements are achievable, and the timing is right. It is time to make use of our greatest strength in a show of the solidarity that has guided you to 75 years of success.
There is more work to be had in Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, and we possess the required skillset. If contractors wish to avail themselves of the expertise that UA 740 members have become so well known for, then they need only partner with us for success. We don’t have the luxury of sitting back and hoping things will work out going forward. I ask that you fully support your union leaders in their mission to grow and achieve sound and meaningful agreements in Newfoundland and Labrador offshore.
Solidarity protects us from those who seek to undermine all that we have achieved.
Fraternally yours,
Mark McManus
General President
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