been viewing shared issues through
management or labour specific lenses.
By bringing them closer together, Ait-
ken sees efficiencies in negotiations,
payments, and projects; ultimately,
an increase in work. “There is tremen-
dous opportunity for our members
by building our community to extend
our reach further than it’s been be-
fore, and to demonstrate what a giv-
ing charitable community we are. I am
excited about the opportunity to be
able to pilot the ship with guidance of
the board and executives,” says Ait-
ken. “Along with the diversely talent-
ed office group we are building, we
will work to provide for our members
best possible opportunities in educa-
tion, excellent labour relations advice,
and a community that services and
provides the paramount benefits to
our members and partners.”
Along with this objective, Aitken and
his team of Executives will increase
the ECAO’s presence in the industry.
“We were established principally for
collective bargaining purposes, and
there is no doubt that has remained
the main driving force behind the or-
ganization,” he says, “but we also pro-
vide labour relations advice, develop
industry relations on matters of pro-
vincial and national concern to electri-
cal contractors, advocate the interests
of electrical contractors to govern-
ment, such as; licensing, certification,
and apprenticeships.”
The majority of members are in the In-
dustrial, Commercial, and Institutional
(ICI) sectors, with non-ICI sectors rep-
resented by residential, communica-
8
business elite canada
H
MAY 2018
