UCA Hosts 6th Annual Convention.

A record turnout of 84 attendees marked the Utility Contractors Association of Ontario's sixth annual convention. Two new regular members were approved this year as the association continues to grow and become the voice for the utility/telecommunications industry in Ontario, Canada. This year's

Two new associate members were added as well, boosting membership to nine regular contractor and 20 associate members.

In his address to members, outgoing president Nick de Koning of Robert B. Somerville, highlighted the association's accomplishments during the past year. In addition to the membership growth, de Koning noted that the labor agreements negotiated by the association will expire next April. The labor committee, headed by Lon Mullin of BFC Utilities, is preparing for negotiations with the unions this fall. UCA is the bargaining agent for its contractor members doing utility (telecom/electric) work in the Province of Ontario.

Safety & training

Safety and training are other primary areas the UCA focuses on and this past year a safety committee was formed, de Koning remarked that "the safety committee held its first meetings for the purpose of addressing safety issues unique to our sector of the construction industry, and to develop standards that our members will be able to use to supplement their own safety policies.

"In the area of training, Rick Delany of BFC Utilities serves as a trustee of the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario to represent UCA, and Barry Brown is our trustee on the Laborers Local 183 Training Board of Trustees," de Koning said.

He also reported that the UCA created a training committee with Frank Mongillo of Trans Power as chairman, to develop basic orientation training for new workers, and to coordinate training for our industry.

Deregulation

de Koning elaborated on the effect of deregulation in the telecommunications sector, which has opened significant new work for the association's members. "Just a few short years ago, the telecommunications industry in Ontario was totally controlled by Bell Canada. Today we have fierce competition with deregulation and the likes of AT&T, Rogers, Telus and 360Network." All are racing to have the first completed network in Toronto.

Electrical deregulation is also moving along in Ontario and, at some point, de Koning believes this will positively affect association members.

"I believe our industry will stay strong for the next few years, but we will probably be working for different owners than we have traditionally had in our history. Our industry is changing and unfolding into a different workplace faster than we have ever seen before. We must stay current with the developments."

Greg Kozicz of AECEdge was the keynote speaker. He focused on the explosion in business-to-business e-commerce and its application in the construction industry. Delegates then participated in the Camp UCATAN Challenge, as everyone was assigned to teams which competed for points in six different events. The day culminated with a campfire and each team producing and performing a skit.

New officers elected at this years meeting are:

* President: Patrick M. Kelly, Bradley-Kelly Construction Limited (Utilities)

* 1st Vice President: Rick J. Delaney, BFC Utilities

* 2nd Vice President: Fiore Melatti, Con-Elco Ltd.

* Treasurer: Terry A. Stephens, Carillion Construction Canada

* General Manager: Barry L. Brown, Utility Contractors Association of Ontario Incorporated.

Association directors are:

Joseph Alfano, Ontario Power Contracting Limited; Rene Beaudry, Bradley-Kelly Construction Limited (Utilities); Simone de Gasperis, Trans Power Utility Contractors Inc.; Nick de Koning (past president and director), Robert B. Somerville; Claudio Fanone, Metric Utilities Limited; John M. Fuller, J.M. Fuller Ltd.; Tom W. Johnson, Robert B. Somerville; Jeff Lyons, Trenchless Utility Equipment Inc. (associate member); Joe Martin, Toromont CAT (associate member); Edward R. McCluskie, Carillion Construction Canada; Frank Mongillo, Trans Power Utility Contractors Inc.; Lon R. Mullin, BFC Utilities; Frank Plastina, Metric Utilities Limited; Anthony Sanginesi, Ontario Power Contracting Limited; and Namby Vithiananthan, Con-Elco Ltd.