PLASTERERS AND CEMENT MASONS:
Operative
Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association of the United States
and Canada
LOCAL: LOCAL UNION
919
AREA: British Columbia and Yukon
ADDRESS:
4457 East Hastings Street
Burnaby, BC V5C 2K1
PHONE: (604) 298-6344
FAX: (604) 298-6122
E-MAIL: gary@opcmia919.org
sharon@opcmia919.org
elvira@opcmia919.org
WEB SITE: www.opcmia.org
Skills of the Trade
The Cement Masons, Local 919, is involved in two areas of the construction industry, plastering and concrete.
The Plastering segment consists of:
The concrete segment consists of:
The above cites many of the processes completed by plasterers and cement masons but is far from complete.
Working Conditions
Plasterers are employed primarily by sub-contractors and specialty contractors, a few work for local governments. They typically work both in and out-of-doors on construction sites. Exterior Plastering cannot be performed in wet or freezing weather and therefore is seasonal. Plasterers must work around wet cement and potentially hazardous chemicals. Potential hazards include the possibility of falls, falling objects, back injuries, knee injuries, injuries from heavy duty powered equipment, cement poisoning, chemical poisoning and silica dust exposure. The work is strenuous and fast paced and involves much reaching and handling, bending, stooping, and walking. The work may require climbing or working from scaffolds and may also involve lifting and carrying materials weighting up to 100 pounds.
Cement Masons are employed primarily by general contractors, concrete sub-contractors and specialty contractors, a few work for local governments. They typically work out-of-doors on construction sites. Cement Masons are exposed to most types of weather and must work around wet concrete and potentially hazardous chemicals. Potential hazards include the possibility of falls, falling objects, back injuries, knee injuries, injuries from heavy duty powered equipment, cement poisoning, chemical poisoning and exposure to silica dust. The work is strenuous and involves much pushing and pulling, reaching and handling, bending and stooping, kneeling and crawling and walking. The work may require climbing or working from scaffolds and may also involve lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 100 pounds.
The hours of work are typically 8:00am. To 4:00pm. But longer hours are common especially in the concrete segment as the work for the day must be completed that day. Shift work can help reduce this problem but it requires more skilled workers.
Plasterers and Cement Masons must consistently deal with environmental and job site conditions: the increased use of organic based products and the more complicated Architectural and Engineering designs of buildings and materials With the evolution of environmental consciousness our members must now be aware of safe methods of waste disposal of unused materials.
Apprenticeship and Training
Training for both these crafts is under the auspices of ITAC apprenticeship programs and co-coordinated entirely through Local 919. A recent Federal Government Human Resources Study predicted a shortfall of approximately 60% skilled workers in these two crafts in the very neat future. In response to this study Local 919 has currently registered over 60 new apprentices. We feel that this may be the only means to correct the skill shortage that we are currently beginning to experience.
The local apprenticeship program seeks to guarantee that all members within its jurisdiction are properly trained and that they uphold the standards of the craft through their profession. Cement Masons participate in a three-year Apprentice Training Program where they learn all phases of concrete construction. The apprenticeship includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training, with classes as required.
Cement Masons Apprenticeship and/or Training Co-ordinator(s):
Apprenticeship & Trade
Promotional Fund
c/o Local 919 (see above)
PHONE: (604) 298-6344
FAX: (604) 298-6122
Plasterers Apprenticeship and/or Training Co-ordinator(s):
Apprenticeship & Training
c/o Local 919 (see above)
PHONE: (604) 298-6344
FAX: (604) 298-6122
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