Millwrights Local 1460
Year-End Newsletter
2025
A message of progress, resilience and pride as we move into 2026 from Business Manager William McLeod This past year has been one of real change for Local 1460. We strengthened our foundation, pushed through challenges and continued shaping this Local into something every member can be proud of. What stands out most is how our members carried themselves. Your professionalism, resilience and pride in this trade continue to set the tone for who we are.
Alberta Millwrights have always been known for stepping up when times are tough, and this year proved that again and again. As the year comes to an end, I want to thank every one of you. Whether your role was on a jobsite, in a shop, in the classroom or representing this Local at events and meetings, your efforts mattered. Leadership shows itself in the way we show up for one another, and this membership has shown incredible strength.
This has also been a year that required patience and determination. Alberta faced some difficult economic and political conditions, and opportunities simply did not flow the way they have in better cycles. Many of our members felt that pressure at home and at work. Even so, Local 1460 did not stand still. We focused on rebuilding where needed, improving our internal structure and pushing to regain ground lost in previous years. We worked at strengthening communication, preparing for future opportunities and ensuring the Local is better positioned for the years ahead. Momentum is not always about speed. Sometimes it is about steady progress and smart decisions in quieter times. That is exactly what we did.
The Western Canadian Millwright College continued to advance this year. Construction and development are moving forward, and we remain optimistic about launching Period 1 apprenticeship training in March. This project is much more than a building. It is a long-term investment in our members, our contractors and the future of our trade.
We are working to align our training with neighbouring provinces, improve mobility for workers and prepare for mobile delivery across Alberta. This College will help raise our standards even further and ensure Local 1460 remains at the forefront of millwright training in Canada.
We were also proud to welcome Jamie Harju as our newest Business Representative. Jamie has already shown a level of professionalism, communication and work ethic that fits exactly with the direction of this Local.
Even with a challenging industrial climate, there are encouraging signs in hydrogen, petrochemicals, power generation, manufacturing and major maintenance work. Our contractors continue to call on us because they trust the standard our members bring. We will continue building strong relationships, advocating for more opportunities and preparing for a busier future.
This year also brought moments of pride across the Millwright Regional Council. At the MRC AGM, Brother Ray Drisdelle received the highest honour awarded by the Council. Ray has dedicated a lifetime of service to this Local, and much of the stability and reputation we have today exists because of his efforts. We are incredibly proud of him and grateful for everything he has done to advance Local 1460.
We were equally proud to see members Serafino Dumas and Andrea Osborne represent us at the Tradewinds 20th Anniversary Gala. Serafino delivered a thoughtful and inspiring speech, and we are pleased to announce his recent appointment to the Tradewinds Board of Directors. This is a major achievement and speaks to the leadership talent within our membership.
Edmonton also hosted the National Apprenticeship Competition this year, where Andrea Osborne competed with confidence and professionalism. She represented Local 1460 with pride, and her performance reflected the very best of our apprenticeship program. We congratulate all contestants on their achievements.
Each summer, we slow things down and gather with the people who built the foundation we stand on. This year’s Retired Members’ Lunch welcomed nearly 90 attendees for an afternoon of good food, shared stories, and easy laughter. There were raffle prizes, plenty of catching up, and no shortage of fun - just the kind that comes naturally when old friends sit back down together. It was a chance to reconnect, celebrate decades of skill and solidarity, and honour the legacy that continues to shape our Local today.
In Memoriam – 2025 We remember and honour the members we lost in 2025, and we thank them for the years they dedicated to their trade and to Local 1460. Robert Earl Ivanco (77) — November 15, 2025 · 56 years of service Allen Petch (72) — November 2, 2025 · 15 years of service Barry Schaffer (69) — October 27, 2025 · 19 years of service Brian Cosman (67) — October 27, 2025 · 42 years of service David Blais (77) — May 25, 2025 · 13 years of service Jaroslav Golda (78) — April 26, 2025 · 43 years of service Their work lives on in the hands they trained, the standards they upheld, and the union they helped strengthen. They will not be forgotten.
The following update is from our Member Engagement Program Chair, Sharla Mason: “My fellow 1460 Members, This year marked an evolution from Sisters in the Brotherhood to the broader, temporarily named Member Engagement Program. This shift reflects growth, not a departure from our roots. SiB was established in 1998 to recruit more women into the industry and to create space for connection, learning, and support within a trade culture that was not built with women in mind. That work matters, and it continues. At the same time, the need for connection, mentorship, education, and belonging exists across the entire industry.
Looking ahead, 2026 is about momentum with the focus on intentional engagement, education, and consistent communication. One exciting step in that direction is the fresh announcement released on December 18 by the MRC of the upcoming Millwright Member Engagement Conference, to be held April 17-19/2026, in Toronto. As we close out 2025, we do so with gratitude, for the work that came before us and for the members who continue to show up for themselves and for one another, helping shape what comes next”.
Our commitment to members and their families continued through important administrative updates as well. A major decision was made to transition our Trust Plan Administrator from PBAS to Manion. This change aligns Local 1460 with the rest of the Millwright Regional Council and is expected to bring improved consistency and long-term stability to our health, welfare and pension plans. The transition is expected to begin in March, and we will continue providing updates as more information becomes available. As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with clarity and renewed purpose. The work put in this year has prepared us for meaningful progress in the next. We are focused on launching programming at the Western Canadian Millwright College, expanding training across the province, strengthening our presence in key industries and improving how we communicate with our membership. Most importantly, we remain committed to regaining the opportunities Alberta once enjoyed and ensuring our members are ready when the next cycle begins. Local 1460 is stronger, more united and more prepared than ever. Thank you to every member for your trust, your professionalism and the pride you bring to your work. Together, we will continue raising the standard for our trade in Alberta and across Western Canada.
Your Local 1460 Team William McLeod Business Manager & Director of Training Alberta Millwrights Local 1460 wmcleod@ubcmillwrights.ca (587) 930-9304
David Maitland Business Representative & Dispatcher Alberta Millwrights Local 1460 (780) 430-1460 Ext: 2165 dmaitland@ubcmillwrights.ca
Jamie Harju President & Business Representative Alberta Millwrights Local 1460 (780) 430-1460 ext 2170 jharju@ubcmillwrights.ca
Your Local 1460 Team
Edel Minnock Administrative Manager Alberta Millwrights Local 1460 (780) 430-1460 Ext: 2171 eminnock@ubcmillwrights.ca
Lisa Wilson Training & Apprenticeship Administrator Alberta Millwrights Local 1460 (780) 430-1460 Ext: 2166 lwilson@ubcmillwrights.ca
Sabrina Amaral Front Desk Admin Asst. Alberta Millwrights Local 1460 (780) 430-1460 ext 2164 samaral@ubcmillwrights.ca