Tar Sands

[jpelks]

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I was concidering going to work in Tar Sands but it sounds like the taxes between US & Canada are very confusing (I,m from the US) and there is apossibility of getting double taxed. Any input? Any info on the work there at all. Thanks, Jim LU 111

[trickrod]

Hay bro. Im out of 166 in Ft. Wayne In. There is a shutdown at sun oil in Toledo Oh. in Feb. 08. It is aadd on too. Should go for a year ! :American:

[jpelks]

Hey Trickrod,
Thanks for the info, I heard theres alot of work coming up there, but I do have my paperwork in for Alberta. Want to check it out so I'll do a stint when they tell me I can go.
Just leaving Port Washington Wis, job was great but managment has progressivley gotten worse. Monday they came out and said they're going to 40 hrs and wanted a list of those wanting a layoff, out of 70 fitters 47 signed up for the layoff. They freaked and said no layoffs but would go with 5-10s then today (wed) they said 4-10s no layoff and if you leave you'll have to drag! Nice thanks for doing a good job! Anyway I'm on my way to an Iowa ethanol plant till my papers come in for canada. Maybe I'll catch you on a job down the road. JPelks

[adulthippy]

you don't get double taxed but the canadian taxes do take quite a bite. as i read it, the first 10k in alberta are exempt.

roy in florida

[adulthippy]

the detriot local website says the green light has been given to u.s. fitters coming to alberta. also, a canadian immigration website says skilled workers such as pipefitters can clear in 5 days. i've had my app in 488 for months, made a trip to edmonton and met with stu macleod- who said soon- and still no word.

just read the jan. 488 newsletter. they're losing jobs to non-union because they can't man them and have 5-600 calls daily that they can't man????????????????

[jpelks]

Thanks for the reply
After more research I found that first your taxed Canadian, then given a refund from Canada when you file US taxes, then taxed US. I am going through 636 in Detroit and when I caame to Iowa on the 6th of Feb the first group through 636 were suposed to have gone by the end of Jan but hadn't left yet and I'm going to check see whats happening

[adulthippy]

jpelks-

did u learn any more as to whether the detroit group left for alberta?

thanx,

roy

[jpelks]

Roy,
I called 636 and left a message asking as to whats going on. Steve Spurlott left a message on my phone saying that our paperwork is in and being processed, everything is moving forward and they would be taking hands soon, so "hang tight brother".
I did not talk directly to him so I took what he said as meaning nobody's gone yet through 636.
Thats what I know so far. But I'm assuming it would be soon. 2 days / 2 months??

Jim

[adulthippy]

jim-
>
> thanx for your reply. amazing that its been over 3 years since the article
> in the u a journal re americans would be needed to help man the oil sands
> jobs. i think part of the holdup is that 488 changed their original plan to
> honcho the paperwork thru immigration themselves and decided to have
> contractors do the work. as stu macleod (488s point man re us
> workers) stated : " let
> the contractors and their legislative friends do the work". what the
> contractors are doing instead is bypassing the union and hiring in
> argentina and
> poland, according a recruiter i talked to. since these people
> don't have red
> seal tickets, they're being brought in as 2d or 3d year journeymen, thus
> cheaper for the contractor.
>
> the last time i talked to steve, the union was reverting to plan A and had
> hired someone to learn the process of expediting the paperwork thru canadian
> immigration.
>
> i've been following this oil sands thing pretty closely. saskatchewan also
> has deposits and exploration is just starting there. what a time to be
> canadian.
>
> i met steve in edmonton last oct. then went to ft. mcmurray to scope out the
> area. if u have an option, i'd try for the camps. motels are well over
> $100/day and rooms $1,000 - 1,200/mo. what was good was to see a
> local really
> booming and sitting pretty much in the cat bird seat. what is disconcerting
> is that some of the larger companies are signing contracts with sweetheart
> unions- mostly out of british columbia.
>
> good luck.
>
> roy
>
>
>
>

[jpelks]

Roy,
Thanks for the info. The package offered through 636 is the man camps for living and they also supply the meals.
If you hear or learn anything else please post and let me know, and I'll do the same back.
Talk to you later
Jim

[adulthippy]

jim-

does the 636 canada pkg include o.t.?

roy

[jpelks]

Roy,
The package is 7-10s for 22 weeks
you work 7-10s for 11 weeks then home for 1 week then back up for 11 more weeks then home and thats a minimum commitment.
mon-thur is straight time, fri is 1-1/2, and sat & sun are double time.
man camp room is 10x10 with a shared bathroom with one other room
all food is supplied .
health & welfare is matched to you home local
the pension however stays in canada which you will draw out of canada at retirement in which you are vested after 15hrs
Thats the big nuts & bolts of the package through 636.
Jim

[adulthippy]

jim-

thanx for the pkg info. looks like a 3,000+ gross/wk which ain't to scuzzy. the 11 wk turn is pretty lengthy but doable. i've seen pix of the dorms. some camps have bars and fast food restaurants as well as internet connections.

good luck.

roy