My journey as an Electrical Worker started with a small unrepresented Electrical Contractor in Edmonton performing Residential and some small Commercial work. As a young apprentice I firmly believed in team building. To create a great team, I was not shy to be the one to have the workers voices heard. I was the vocal worker at company meetings. As the company grew, transitioning into commercial they found themselves needing a volunteer to focus on closing out the residential contracts. With no-one senior than I willing, I stepped up. A few months after, speaking with fellow coworkers, I found out I was now the lowest paid Journeyman. Knowing this was not going to go well, I wrote my resignation letter and walked into the bosses office. I explained I wasn’t looking to be the highest paid, I just want to be on par with the lowest paid commercial Journeyman. After 5 years of loyalty and dedication, he looked at me and said “Jon, I think it’s time we part ways.” I replied with a shrug, saying I was fine with that. My employer looked at me shocked and asked what I was going to do. I replied “I’m going to join the union.” I will spare you his real words, “Jon… union workers are lazy, the workers are just a number, and you wouldn’t like it.” As most employers do. I looked at him and vowed to be the one to help change that opinion and I have yet to look back.

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After gaining Membership in 2008, I found myself out at Petro Canada working for Casca Electric and wow, what a change! This was my first Industrial job, I must have looked like a deer in the head lights for months. I was in awe of the new environment, and thanks to an amazing group that I met throughout that project I learned a great deal about this new sector. One thing I could not believe was my pay per week was what it was every two weeks in my previous job... 

After getting settled, I still had that team mentality. I hosted a go-kart rally for the first 12 Brothers or Sisters who could commit. 

This was my first taste of what Brotherhood/Sisterhood is all about. 

 

But with the good comes the bad. While on the job I heard a lot of people speaking poorly about our Local. Knowing about Unions, but not exactly what they do or how they do it, I did know I had to get involved to be a change. I found myself attending meetings, listening and paying attention to the issues, the politics and the procedures of a skill trade union, our union. After a few meetings, a gentleman I am forever grateful for, Brother Ken Mackenzie, came up behind me and said “Hey, young fella, there’s a group of members around your age meeting across the street later, if you have the time.” 

 

This was my introduction to the NextGen Committee, and two Brothers (Paul Cherry and Daniel Maher) that have played pivotal roles in helping shape who I am today. The committee was being set up for members 35 years of age and under, that wanted to get more involved in their Union and the Labour Movement. Once I was introduced to Ken, Paul and Daniel, my unionism deepened and I was dedicating my time where and when I could. Part of the NextGen’s objectives are to help members become more active in all areas of our membership. Eventually the committee took over what is now our family festival in Edmonton. 

 

The 2013 election came, our committee sat down with Brother Ken McKenzie, our Constitution and Bylaws to discuss the positions those of us as Journeymen would be eligible to run for. Nothing was resonating with me; my passion was building solidarity and building the pride back in our Union. I expressed that my true dream was to become an Organizer. However after some conversations, I agreed to run for Recording Secretary of our Unit I (Edmonton) monthly meetings, a position I would hold for three years.  

 

In 2014 my dream came true, I was fortunate enough to be brought on as an Organizer by Kevin Levy under the leadership and guidance of Tom Tettamente.

 

In 2017 I became the Lead Organizer under John White’s administration, and continued in that role under the leadership of our current Business Manager/ Financial Secretary, Michael Reinhart. 

 

During this time, I learned a lot and met so many great Brothers and Sisters that would help add to the passion I have for our union. This passion was my driving force to learn and absorb as much as I could about Organizing, our Local and our IBEW. 

I’ve been a strong advocate for every member to take every level of our steward courses. I believe this builds that ownership and solidarity we desperately need. I have our Code Of Excellence and multiple levels of COMET (Construction Organizing Membership Education Training) and LEAP (Leadership Education and Planning for Organizing) with our IBEW Train the Trainer certificates. 

 

I’ve been fortunate enough to attend multiple IBEW International and National Conferences, where I took part in workshop training activities and courses such as the I’m In Campaign and the New and Advanced Organizer Training. 

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I have participated in and led many Organizing Campaigns and Blitzes for our Local, our Sister local 1007 and Nationally. 

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I have played a leading role in the events held in Unit I and have represented our Local at Career Fairs and Industry events across Alberta, including the Skills Provincial Competition, ECAA AGM’s and several events for school districts through-out Alberta.

 

I have helped foster a fantastic working relationship with School Boards, Districts, Community and Cultural centres.  

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I sat on the Alberta Local Apprenticeship Committee for 2 terms doing my best to have a labour orientated voice at the table. Here, I was fortunate enough to participate in a couple of review hearings and have done so on grievance panels with our Local as well. 

 

I am that overly passionate guy at Initiation ‘selling’ my fantasy world of what we can be, what we should be! 

 

It’s time for that fantasy to become our reality.