July 3, 2026
Al Phillips, President
THE BC BUILDING TRADES (BCBT) and its affiliated unions are well known for their generosity.
The BC Building Trades has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for diabetes research and Variety BC with its annual golf tournament. BCBT’s annual Christmas party is famous for the big table at the front of the IUOE Local 115 union hall, piled high with toys, gifts, gift cards and food items.
BCBT affiliate unions are no different. UA Local 170 regularly donates to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, BC Children’s Hospital, and Camp Jubilee. Teamsters Local 213 has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the BC Special Olympics through its annual golf tournament. Ironworkers Local 97 is a big supporter of the local food bank and is well known for supporting strike funds generously. IUOE Local 115 supports grassroots sports organizations with its Local Minor Sports Funds. The list goes on and on and on.
So it’s clear that not only do BC Building Trades unions and members give generously, but they love to do it. So why is that?
I think I have an idea, and it goes beyond the simple truth that doing good feels good. I think it’s because being a tradesperson is, in many ways, inherently an act of giving. Every day, tradespeople get up and go to work sites to build the next generation of critical infrastructure for their communities. They are giving their work ethic and hard-earned skills to ensure that their friends and neighbours have roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and dams that will be there when they need them. Tradespeople do this day in and day out, sometimes in the face of challenging conditions. There is a selflessness and generosity in that commitment.
The apprenticeship system is at the heart of unionized construction. Without a strong system of learning and development in the trades, we would not have ongoing generations of skilled tradespeople to build our communities. Journeypersons taking apprentices under their wings, mentoring them and passing along skills and wisdom is another form of generosity. Lesser people would keep their skills and knowledge to themselves as a misguided form of self-preservation, but BCBT tradespeople take great pride in sharing what they know and seeing the next generation thrive.
Another form of giving is found within our unions themselves. Hundreds of members across our BCBT-affiliated unions volunteer their time to serve on boards and committees and to ensure union events run smoothly. That giving is a recognition of the importance of our solidarity as workers.
And last, but certainly not least, I know many of our union leaders and members regularly give their time in a much less formal way. When we see friends and colleagues who may be struggling due to mental health concerns, we reach out. We listen. We lend a hand if appropriate. I have seen this happen over and over again across the BC Building Trades. Our members and union leaders care for one another and show that care in spades.
With all these points considered, helping others and giving generously are missions we take seriously. It’s something we do day in and day out with action, throughout our careers and even afterward. We are committed to giving to our communities and the people who live in them.
And when you look at the full scope of our generosity, it is clear that, as tradespeople, giving is not just what we do, it’s who we are.
Al Phillips,
President