Newsletter and Summons Notice Meeting Notice – Winter 2026

Greetings, Sisters and Brothers.

I hope all of you and your families are in good health.

Winter certainly started early this year. Please take care to protect yourself from exposure to cold and particularly slip and fall conditions on the job site. Icy conditions cause minor and major injuries that can affect not only your short-term loss of wages but also cause long- term pain and discomfort for your body. Make a point of addressing issues you see at work to protect yourself and fellow Sisters and Brothers.

Summons Notice Meeting

You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of the membership of BACU Local 1 Hamilton-Niagara.

Place: LIUNA Station Continental Express Ballroom (main floor)

                360 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario 

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Time: 7:00 P.M.

Agenda:

Presentation of Union and Welfare Benefit financial reviews by Steve Gaul of “Miller of Miller-Gaul CPA Professional Corporation.”

Presentation of new Provincial Welfare Benefit Plan by Sidney Jefferson of “Global Benefits.”

Presentation of new Hamilton and Niagara wage packages to be applied May 1, 2026.

All regular business, time permitting.

Work in the refractory sector has been relatively steady since August. Tariffs have had an effect on hours worked. Some projects have been cancelled or paused, but work has been attainable locally, but more likely out of our jurisdiction. 2026 is looking brighter than it did several months ago. That said, the world of refractory can be very unpredictable in a positive and negative way.

Brick and Stone are going well, considering the winter temperatures we are experiencing. Local projects with Bernel, Cecchini, Render, Leader Masonry, GA Masonry, and Stefcon all have ongoing or upcoming work that should carry the vast majority of our members through the winter.

Check your emails regularly and click on to our website, baculocal1.ca, where all E-BLASTS meeting notices, welfare benefit info, scholarship forms, office closures and contact information are posted. If you are not receiving E-BLASTS, let Alannah, 905-527-8418, or myself, Dave Martin 905-517-0884, know and we will make sure you get them.

Unfortunately, Brandon Eyre will not be able to conduct our Tax Clinic this year. Please make alternate plans to file your taxes this year. We will attempt to restart next year.

I continue to ask all members to sign in for the “Out of Work List” as soon as you are laid off. Don’t let a contractor put you on the shelf to wait for them to call you back. As time goes by, other members will sign on to the list and go to work before you.

The Executive Board has consulted over the last few months, how to best present our “monthly meetings” to the overall membership. To better engage our Apprentices as to how we can enhance their understanding of our Trade and Union, the Executive has decided to change Local 1 Hamilton-Niagara’s meeting schedule to better educate our younger members.

Monthly Union Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month, starting at 8:00 pm.

I remind everyone, we must show RESPECT to all our Sisters and Brothers, both in our Trade and others. If an issue cannot be resolved with a member, talk to the Forman. If an issue cannot be resolved by the Forman or the issue is with the Forman, CALL ME! Dave Martin 905-517-0884 and I WILL help to resolve the issue.

Stay cool. Think about it. Plan a course of action. Is there a compromise?

There are many stressors in our work, personal and family lives. We need to take care of our physical health, financial health and especially our mental health. Our benefits cover mental and physical health via our cost-plus benefits, Denovo Treatment Centre and Members health. We have financial assistance through our advisor, Brandon Eyre at Investment Planning Council. If you are in need of assistance with any of these things, our office has the resources to help you find a pathway to help yourself and your family. Our Union has resources available to help you or a loved one get help. Contact me, Dave Martin, 905-517-0884 and I will help direct you a person who can help.

In solidarity,

BACU Local 1 Executive

Dave Martin, Ryan Dickinson, Nick Scott, Sean Read, Luigi Scodellaro

Here is the monthly meeting schedule and other dates to keep in mind for 2026.

March 12th – Summons Meeting 7:00pm

April 9th. - General Meeting 8:00pm

May 14th. – Apprenticeship Meeting 7:00pm. No General Meeting

June 11th – General Meeting 8:00pm

July 9th – No meeting.

August 13th – No meeting

September 10th – General Meeting 8:00pm

October 8th – General Meeting 8:00pm

November 12th – Apprenticeship Meeting 7:00pm. No General Meeting

December – No meeting.

Day of Mourning – April 28, 2026

Collective Agreement increase on your wage schedule – May 1, 2026

Labour Day Parade and BBQ – September 7, 2026

Retirement and Service Awards Dinner – Friday, December 4, 2026 (tentative date)