WASHINGTON - The Iron Workers Union and the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) are pleased to announce the appointment of Bert Royer, Secretary-Treasurer/Business Manager of Local No. 771, Regina, Saskatchewan, as the first-ever Regional Director for Canadian Regional Advisory Boards (RABs) XI, XII and XIII.
General President Walter Wise and William Brown, CEO of Ben Hur Construction Co., St. Louis—both Co-Chairs for IMPACT—formally named Royer as IMPACT’s first-ever Canadian Regional Director last week.
“We are thrilled to have a man of Bert Royer’s experience and knowledge as IMPACT’s Canadian Regional Director and look forward to the implementation and development of Canadian programs that benefit and expand work opportunities for our members and contractors,” Wise said.
Brown said, “This is another great step toward forming a truly North American Ironworking industry, and we’re excited to have Mr. Royer on board.”
“Mr. Royer was an excellent choice for this position, and I look forward to working with him more closely to benefit our Canadian members,” added Eric Waterman, CEO of IMPACT, who has championed IMPACT’s RAB model since his appointment as the organization’s founding CEO in 2003.
Mr. Royer was first indentured as an apprentice with Local No. 711, Montreal, Quebec, in 1974, where he served for four years. In 1979, Mr. Royer transferred his membership to Local No. 771, Regina, Saskatchewan, working as as a connector, foreman and general foreman on numerous industrial construction projects. During his time at Local No. 771, Mr. Royer was elected trustee, executive committee member, vice president and, in 1995, he was elected financial secretary-treasurer/business manager.
Throughout his career, Mr. Royer has held several prominent industry positions, including labor co-chair of the Construction Opportunities Development Council of Saskatchewan and President of the Saskatchewan Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council (for which he served four terms). In addition, Mr. Royer served one term on the Canadian Board of International Foundation of Employee Benefits (IF).
Mr. Royer joins a team of IMPACT regional directors, which includes Eastern Regional Director Kevin Byrnes, Midwestern Regional Director Chuck Decker and Western Regional Director Jim McGuire, all of whom work with IMPACT to market the organization’s valuable services in the field.
IMPACT works with 13 separate RABs throughout North America to seek solutions to labor-management issues. Each RAB is guided by an Executive Committee, whose members include an equal number of labor and management representatives.
About the Iron Workers Union: The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IABSO&RIW) was founded in 1896 in Pittsburgh, Penn. They now represent more than 125,000 Ironworkers throughout the United States and Canada. The IABSO&RIW’s mission is to improve the working conditions of its members while promoting constructive relationships with their employers to increase work opportunities.
About IMPACT (www.impact-net.org):The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), affiliated with the Iron Workers Union, is a labor-management partnership designed to create work opportunities in the North American ironworking industry. Our primary mission is to provide a forum for Ironworkers and signatory contractors to discuss effective strategies aimed to expand job opportunities through innovative labor-management cooperative programs. IMPACT provides expertise in training, construction certifications, marketing, construction project tracking and bidding, insurance and Davis-Bacon compliance efforts. IMPACT also administers a world-class substance abuse program to ensure that Ironworkers are safe, drug-free and ready to work.
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Contact: Brennan Gamwell, Communications Specialist, (800) 545-4921