Chilliwack Training Facility: A Boom for Teamsters, A Bust for LiUNA 1611 Members?
- Michael Smith
- Apr 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Brothers and Sisters,
The Chilliwack Training Facility was supposed to be a joint venture—an investment in LiUNA 1611 members' future. Instead, it has turned into a one-sided deal that overwhelmingly benefits the Teamsters while draining our resources.
Where is our return on investment?
According to Teamsters 213, this will be the largest Teamster training school in Western Canada, featuring:
Classrooms, driving simulators, and dedicated commercial driver training areas.
A paved lot for commercial driver training.
A gravel section for off-road equipment training.
Meanwhile, where is the dedicated space for LiUNA 1611 members?
Why does it seem like our hard-earned money built their facility instead of benefiting us?
The Teamsters article can be found here: https://www.teamsters213.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Training-Centre-Article-Teamsters-213-Spring-2024.pdf
Who approved $500,000 in union funds to a contractor that went bankrupt?
The executive board handed over half a million dollars to a contractor who went under shortly after getting the money.
Did they even do their due diligence?
Were there protections in place to safeguard our investment?
Was the $500,000 ever recovered?
Where is the transparency?
Why was a Non-Union Contractor, Panther Construction, hired for this project?
LiUNA 1611 is supposed to stand for union jobs, yet non-union Panther Construction was chosen for this facility. Why?
Were union contractors given the opportunity to bid on this project?
What due diligence was done before selecting Panther Construction?
Does anyone on the executive board have a relationship, past or present, with this company?
Why was a non-union contractor awarded a project funded by union dues?
Why is the facility still not completed?
According to the Teamsters, this facility was supposed to be finished by summer/fall of 2024.It is now well past that deadline, and yet the project remains incomplete.
Where is the accountability for the delays?
How much more of our money is being wasted while the facility remains unfinished?
Is this Why the Focus has Switched to the BC Trip Program?
Instead of fixing the Chilliwack Training Facility disaster, the executive board is pushing ahead with the BC Travel Reimbursement Incentive Program (BC TRIP).BC TRIP covers the majority of travel costs for BC members to attend training in Surrey.
How much money is this costing our union?
Is this just another expensive band-aid instead of real investment in local training for our members?
Why does it feel like dues are being used to cover up leadership failures instead of directly benefiting the membership?