Affiliations
One of
thirteen.
Local 409 represents sheet metal workers, sheeter-deckers and roofers across mainland Nova Scotia. Here are the councils, associations and agencies behind that work, and what each one actually does.
01
Building trades
Local 409 is one of thirteen unions affiliated to the Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council.
The Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council brings together the unionized building and construction trades working across the province's mainland, and provides highly-trained industrial, commercial and institutional tradespeople to the Nova Scotia construction industry. Local 409 is listed among its thirteen affiliates as the Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers International Association, Local 409.
Being one of thirteen matters on a jobsite. It means the trade beside you is held to the same training and safety standard, and it means the trades speak together on procurement, project agreements and safety law rather than one local at a time.
Nationally the building trades coordinate through Canada's Building Trades Unions. Cape Breton has its own separate council and its own sheet metal local; Local 409's jurisdiction is mainland Nova Scotia.
02
The international union
Chartered in 1945, Local 409 is an affiliate of SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Local 409 was chartered on November 1, 1945 and represents sheet metal workers, sheeter-deckers and roofers across mainland Nova Scotia.
SMART is the international union, and Canadian locals coordinate nationally through the Canadian Conference of Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers. That connection is what makes a Red Seal ticket portable: the training standard behind it is recognized by locals across Canada and the United States.
03
Labour relations
Wages, benefits and conditions come from the Mainland Nova Scotia sheet metal and roofers agreements, bargained through the NSCLRA structure.
Local 409's collective agreements are bargained through the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association, the accredited multi-employer bargaining structure for the province's construction industry. Separate agreements cover the sheet metal and the roofing work.
Those agreements set the wage scale, the employer contributions to pension and health and welfare, overtime, travel and the conditions of work across the jurisdiction. The current schedule is held at the union hall.
04
Training & certification
Apprenticeship is registered with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, with in-school training through NSCC and trades training through BTAC.
Sheet metal is a certified trade in Nova Scotia. Apprentices register with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act, and the apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training with in-school instruction delivered through the Nova Scotia Community College, leading to a Certificate of Qualification and the interprovincial Red Seal.
The building trades also run their own college. The Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia (BTAC) offers hands-on industrial, commercial and institutional training and describes itself as the largest private sector trainer in the province, operated by thirteen building trades unions across seven campuses.
Beyond the ticket, members upgrade through SMART's own continuing education and supervisor programs.
05
Health & safety
Sector training through Construction Safety Nova Scotia, workers' compensation through the WCB, and SMART's own occupational health institute.
Health and safety training and certification for Nova Scotia construction runs through Construction Safety Nova Scotia. Workplace injury and illness coverage is administered by the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.
SMART maintains its own occupational health arm, SMOHIT, covering the hazards specific to this trade, alongside confidential member and family assistance. National reference material comes from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
06
Benefits & pension
Group health and welfare and the pension are jointly trusteed and administered by BPA Group.
Members' group health and welfare coverage and the pension plan are administered by BPA Group, Benefit and Pension Administration. Coverage includes drug, dental, vision, life and disability for members and their families.
The pension is built on the hours worked under the collective agreement and funded by employer contributions rather than deducted from the wage. Both plans are jointly trusteed, meaning members are represented in how they are run.
07
Straight answers
- What building trades council does Local 409 belong to?
- Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Local 409 is one of thirteen unions affiliated to the Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council, which represents the unionized building and construction trades across mainland Nova Scotia. The Council lists the local as the Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers International Association, Local 409. Cape Breton has its own separate building trades council.
- Who bargains the collective agreement for sheet metal workers in Nova Scotia?
- Local 409's agreements are bargained through the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association (NSCLRA), the accredited multi-employer bargaining structure for the province's construction industry. Separate agreements cover sheet metal work and roofing work across mainland Nova Scotia. The current wage schedule is held at the union hall.
- Where do sheet metal apprentices train in Nova Scotia?
- Apprentices register with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act. The apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training with in-school instruction delivered through the Nova Scotia Community College, leading to a Certificate of Qualification and the interprovincial Red Seal. The building trades also operate their own college, the Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia (BTAC), across seven campuses.
- Which health and safety bodies cover construction workers in Nova Scotia?
- Safety training and certification for Nova Scotia construction run through Construction Safety Nova Scotia. Workplace injury and illness coverage is administered by the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB). SMART also maintains its own occupational health institute, SMOHIT, for the hazards specific to the sheet metal trade.
- Who administers Local 409 members' benefits and pension?
- Group health and welfare and the pension plan are administered by BPA Group (Benefit and Pension Administration). Coverage includes drug, dental, vision, life and disability for members and their families. The pension is built on hours worked under the collective agreement and funded by employer contributions rather than deducted from wages. Both plans are jointly trusteed.