Union protests tower work

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 01, 2009 7:00 PM

The patient care tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital dominates the skyline, but claims are surfacing over worker safety and the quality of construction. The Construction Maintenance and Allied Workers union says there have been problems with the integrity of the concrete used on the seven-storey project. “The concrete in an elevator shaft had the wrong strength and they had to jackhammer it out,” said Chris Polanski, business manager for local 1346. He also says seven support columns on the third floor had to be replaced because of a poor batch of concrete, and that could increase the $180 million price tag. “When it comes to taxpayers’ dollars, these issues need to be addressed.”

Polanski believes there should be independent oversight of construction. “I don’t think the Interior Health Authority is sufficient in recognizing how a construction project is going,” he said. Officials with Infusion Health, the consortium responsible for the tower, defend the construction process. “There have been problems with concrete but they were rectified. That’s typical to a construction site,” said Ton Joosten, project general manager, referring to the support columns. “Everything has been checked out and engineered.” Joosten is not aware of concrete having to be removed from an elevator shaft. “There is quality control left, right and centre,” he said. IHA officials are confident with the integrity of the structure. “There are checks and balances. Our construction manager does regular site walk-throughs and approves whether something is good or not,” said spokesman Cam McAlpine. “We wouldn’t put up a building that in any way would jeopardize public safety and staff.”

The union also claims there have been safety problems, including two cranes colliding. Only about five union members have been involved in carpentry. “I don’t have an issue with it being non-union but there’s not been enough local hire,” said Polanski, adding that many of the workers are from out-of-town. Joosten stands behind the safety measures taken at the tower and points to a recent audit. “It says there is much to be commended at the Vernon site and compliance with full requirements was evident,” said Joosten. In terms of labour, Joosten says local workers have been hired but some of the contractors brought in out-of-town crews at the start of construction when there was a labour crunch. “You can’t just let those people go right now.” The union claims the project is three months behind schedule, but McAlpine refutes that. “It’s ahead of schedule. We’re definitely not behind schedule,” he said.