The university has begun investigations into the safety qualifications of some asbestos removal workers on campus, after allegations made by a union charge that the sub-contractor hired to remove the asbestos employs illegal, unqualified workers.
Holding public demonstrations last Monday and Wednesday at the foot of King’s College Road, the Labourer’s International Union charge that Impact Services, a non-union sub-contractor hired to remove asbestos, unfairly competes by hiring unqualified, undocumented workers from Eastern bloc countries on non-work visas.
According to advertisements running in a local Polish newspaper that were translated into English, the company offers work ideal for those visiting from Poland who do not speak English, and that they can guarantee many hours.
The lack of qualification is threatening student safety, says the union.
“When this is taking place and you don’t let students know about this, everyone is in jeopardy,” said Joe Inacio, a business rep for the union, who wants to unionize Impact.
The demonstrators were protesting the presence of Impact workers at the Med-Sci building, one of two sites currently undergoing asbestos removal on campus. Med-Sci is a Type 3 asbestos site, the highest rating of caution for removers, and demands stringent abatement procedures.
Derek Johnson, a construction worker who has received training in asbestos removal, had a look of the removal now going on at Med-Sci and spotted improper practice. “I witnessed two workers with their mask straps not on properly.” Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer and a host of other respiratory illnesses.
Demonstrator Wojciech Durlik says Impact has been putting ads in Polish newspapers offering jobs to visiting foreigners with no experience. “This company has been doing this for a long time. It has to be investigated.”
Local 506 union members say the allegations were gathered from first-hand experience from former Impact Workers.
Impact vehemently deny the allegations.
“We absolutely deny everything that [the union] says,” said Impact Service VP Alan Giller. “We are a reputable company for thousands of institutions…across southern Ontario. It’s upsetting to us for people to make any allegations and no one is calling them on it. What they state is completely untrue.”
In an Oct. 8 written statement by Impact to contractors, Giller reiterated the company’s position. “[The charges] are so outrageous that they are laughable…If they mean we exploit immigrants by offering them a well paying job when others won’t, then we are guilty as charged.”
Several dozen union members were out gathering student support and calling on university administrators to investigate. Flyers distributed by the union also charge Impact of side-stepping tax payments.
University administrators insist there is no cause for alarm. “I have no reason to believe [Impact workers] are not qualified,” said Angela Hildyard, VP, Human Resources. “We have no reason to believe that our asbestos policy isn’t being complied with.”
“All removals whether by Impact or other qualified contractor are carried out with strict adherence to the U of T’s asbestos management guidelines,” said Director of Capital Projects Nick Zouravlioff.
In any event, Zouravlioff will meet with Alan Giller today to ensure safety standards are being upheld, and to resolve questions over the validity of the charges. “We’ll certainly look into any allegations and if proven we enforce our policies,” said Zouravlioff.
Asbestos, a fibrous material once used as an insulator, is carcinogenic. Its fine airborne particles require special training when removed, sometimes needing full ventilators and special plastic garments. Dozens of university buildings are slated for asbestos abatement.
The university is in the process of implementing newer, more rigorous abatement standards. The Asbestos Control Program, published in June, require workers to “have received appropriate training and education” and that “general contractors and subcontractors follow the appropriate procedures.” Impact Services has not yet undergone scrutiny under the stronger guidelines.
“We haven’t done rigorous [inspection] of Impact Services,” said Zouravlioff.
The university awards construction projects through a competitive bid process. General contractors are invited to offer their best bid, and are required to list the sub-contractors to be used. Critics say this competitive process is forcing contractors to cut corners in order to meet budgets.
“Those aren’t rumours,” said one U of T tradesperson, who declined to give his name. “It’s becoming more and more common.”
“Because of dollars…people at the top will make decisions to cut corners without considering the risk they’re taking with those around them,” said Gerry Varricchio, an international union rep.
Local 506 claim Impact is in violation of fair-wage policy. If true, the university would have to reassess their relationship with general contractors who use Impact, since all government-funded projects are subject to provincial fair-wage guidelines.
Impact Services once began as a union trade service, but de-credited soon after that. A previous attempt to unionize Impact in 1997 was unsuccessful.
