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Lodge 271 is a Construction and Contract shop lodge which was chartered on October 15th, 1937. The members of lodge 271 are qualified as Boilermakers, Steel Fabricators and Welders.
The Boilermaking trade has a long history in Quebec. Starting in the shipyards and then moving into the railroad shops. The first steamboat in Canada was built in 1809 by John Molson in Montreal. The Boilermakers Union goes back to 1892 when Lodge 134 was given its charter. During the two world wars, Quebec played a big part with the building of cargo and war ships that were used by the Canadian Navy. On October 15th 1937, Lodge 271 was granted a charter as a construction and contract shop lodge. In 1939, the members of 271 were very active in the construction of boilers and tanks throughout its geographic jurisdiction: Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. In 1949, Lodge 271 played host to the 18th Consolidated Convention of the International Brotherhood. By 1955, Lodge 271 was part of the national agreement that saw the standard of living rise for these members as the rest of the middle class. In the years that followed, Lodge 271 was very busy with work in pulp mills, oil refineries, incinerators, mines, reduction plants and hydro-electric projects.
In the 1960’s, the Construction Industry attracted a lot of attention from the general public over the sometimes violent jurisdictional disputes between the different union groups. In 1969, Bill 290 came down, which resulted in the decree respecting the Construction Industry in the province of Quebec. The decree made the two central labour bodies in Quebec partners at the bargaining table: the Quebec Federation of Labour and the Confederation of National Unions. The two rival groups were forced by the decree to bargain on behalf of all construction workers. As far as Quebec was concerned, this legislation prevented Lodge 271 from further participation in any national agreements. Lodge 271 still had obligations in the Maritime Provinces and in Newfoundland & Labrador, as these agreements recognized it as having the bargaining rights. In 1969, the International granted a charter to Lodge 203 in St. John’s, with jurisdiction over Newfoundland & Labrador, and in 1973, Lodge 73 was granted a charter. The International considered Montreal too far away for a member to travel to attend a union meeting plus there was a sizable number of Maritimers who came into 271 who wanted to participate in the running of their own affairs, thus the reason for granting the two charters and reducing the jurisdiction of Lodge 271.
In 2005, Lodge 271 participated in the Annual Canadian Boilermaker Apprenticeship Competition that was held in Vancouver. Stephane LeBlanc represented 271 and did a great job.
Lodge 271 members reaffirm affiliation by over 99 percent
In the province of Quebec there is a law, RR20, that requires all union members to decide every three years whether to maintain their affiliation or change it. Every three years, members of 271 show their solidarity, choosing to remain with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. The latest vote took place June 8-10, 2006. Guy Villemure, Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of Lodge 271, said “Boilermakers always stick together”. International Vice-President, Ed Power, said this vote is typical for members of Lodge 271, “they are a solid local, with very strong ties.”
1205 St-Jean-Baptiste Blvd.
Pointe-Aux-Trembles, QC H1B 4A2
Tel: (514)327-6135 or (514)327-4294
Fax: (514) 327-7294
Email:
Web: local271.net