Chartered on April 28, 1927, IBEW Local 586 is 91 years old in 2018. Business Manager John Bourke reflects on the challenges of an electrical industry that is seeing an increasing rate of change.
Local 586 has 1,897 active members. Bourke feels the membership will need to increase to meet the demand of the Ottawa area construction industry, and plans to take on more apprentices. If organizing efforts work out, 586 will also be able to add fully certified journeypersons to its roster as well.
The electrical industry has been changing at a faster rate in the last 10 years as existing technology improves and new technologies are developed.
For example, in public facilities, LED systems are adapting to save energy even when they need to be switched on 24/7. Demand is increasing for smart lighting systems that use connected LEDs to dim automatically when not needed, or transmit usage data via Bluetooth.
Sometimes known as "LiFi", these wireless "light fidelity" systems provide great opportunities to uncover energy savings, track the location of facility assets like baggage carts, and help building managers make better decisions.
Other technologies like power over ethernet (PoE) allow data network cables to be used to power devices.
To ensure that 586 continues to provide the best standard of training as the industry continues to evolve, a new building was purchased in 2013 and set up as a full time training facility. Three full time educators and one part time educator provide training and mentoring to apprentices and skills upgrade courses to the certified electricians.
"Our fire alarm systems course, Certi-Fire (CFAE), is one of only two that are accepted to meet the requirements of the Ontario Fire Marshal's office," says George Kardaras, one of the educators.
The training facility also has a motor control training centre, and an area set up for programmable logic controllers (PLC). An entire trailer is set aside for teaching welding skills hands-on.
Local 586 is working on a number of important projects in the Ottawa area. Recently, they've completed work on electrical systems with Ziebarth for the Canadian Museum of Science and Technology.
586 is also currently working on the West Block of Parliament, where the temporary House of Commons will be located while work on the Centre Block proceeds. Local 586 is slated to work on that project as well.
Another high profile project is the upcoming work on the Lebretton Flats development, although that bid is still in progress.
Local 586 has faced some other key issues in the past few years, most recently a major default in payment by contractor EBC as a result of a dispute with electrical sub-contractor Norgau.
The retirees group in Local 586 is very active. They volunteer and fundraise for the Shepherds of Good Hope and the Food Bank. They are also very active in ensuring that the widows of former members are cared for and continuing to cope as they age. There are even group outings, like a recent one to a local sugar bush.
The retirees were front and centre especially during the Bill 70 Schedule 17 protests, preparing signs, organizing pickets, and attending pickets.
Ottawa is a growing city, with increasing infrastructure needs. IBEW 586 is determined to do its part to help ensure that Ottawa's future power needs are provided as safely and reliably as possible.