Opinion: Labour shortage vs. Covid19

By Jamie McMillan

Special to Ontario Construction News

I’ve been watching the number of COVID19 cases rise exponentially while paying attention to risks of the economy and who is deemed essential to work or not. There is much more that can be done to press “pause” especially when it comes to building and construction.

We already have a huge shortage of skilled trades professionals so it makes things difficult, however these are unprecedented times. Skilled workers are stressed about financial stability, losing their jobs, putting their families at risk being exposed to the virus and so much more. Stress and mental health issues are weakening immune systems, causing tension between workers not to mention raining havoc on families and relationships.

Physical distancing is a good start but it’s not always realistic. Many live in big congested cities and need to use public transportation to commute. In the workplace we share many common elements such as lunch rooms, bathrooms and wash-up stations. We all touch the same surfaces, tools and equipment. We work with partners on small work platforms or in confined spaces. Personal hygiene becomes a problem in many work environments.

It’s not always easy to cover up a sneeze or cough, wipe a runny nose or rub and itchy watering eye when you’re covered in grease, dirt or your hands are not free. Sure we can wear personal protective equipment if it’s provided or available for purchase at this time but often it fogs up, gets sweaty, moves around or comes easily damaged. Keep in mind that right now the medical staff and essential service personnel need PPE much more than we do.

Yet all that considered, some nonessential construction is still up and running. Workers are being put at risk. Unfortunately we are going to lose some of them, especially some of the ones we need the most… the highly respected older ones.

The older skilled professionals are those who have generations of combined knowledge and experience. They are the backbone of our industry when it comes to passing on the “tricks of the trades.” Their wisdom and teachings are fundamental for our apprentices and journeymen alike. They are the foundation of this industry. Many of them have not been able to retire because of the labour shortage and the demand for their expertise. Some have worked well past their years broken and tired but unwilling to give up because they miss their friends, the social aspect, the work, telling their stories and doing their part to help future generations thrive in the industry. Many have become as dear to us as our own friends and family.

Therefore, now more than ever it is our collective responsibility to pay it forward by taking care of them the way they have taken care of us. They are not disposable, they play the biggest role in moulding us into competent, vigilant, skilled professionals. We respect them. We need them.

So to sum it all up my point is we need to evaluate what we consider essential and nonessential at this time. What are we willing to risk at what cost? Many of us are well aware of the upcoming economic failure, recession, loss and most certain sickness and death. It’s going to be a long road to recovery but how much more are we willing to lose if we don’t take the time to pause now?  Is wealth  more important than humanity?

We are all in this together and our time is precious. The longer we take to stop and do our part to self isolate and/or physical distance the more time we lose in the war against COVID19. We can’t get lost time back making it far to  precious to waste.

My hope is we learn to come together to do what is deemed necessary to put and end to this madness by doing everything we can to work together. We need to take care of ourselves, our families, coworkers, neighbours, friends, the elderly, those with compromised abilities and the less fortunate.

The more compliant we are, the more effective we will be and the sooner we can all get back to our lives too.

Wishing you all health and prosperity.

Jamie McMillan is an ironworker, boilermaker, professional speaker and skilled trades advocate, as well as owner of Kickass Careers (www.kickasscareers.org) and WE Ribbon Inc.