Wayne Mills Interview: Union Solidarity in the Building Trades

Wayne Mills is a second-generation operating engineer with decades of involvement in the labour movement. In this interview, Wayne discusses his early training and work experiences operating large cranes on various construction projects across British Columbia, including dams and mines. He describes the challenges of finding qualified workers and the changes in crane technology over the years.

Wayne recounts his involvement in the labor movement, serving as a union steward, bargaining committee member, and eventually taking on leadership roles. He discusses the relationship between unions and employers, the dynamics of strikes and negotiations, and the importance of worker safety. Wayne has seen a lot of changes in the labor movement over time, noting a decline in militancy but emphasizing the continued value of unions in providing security, benefits, and a voice for workers.

The significance of labor history and the need to commemorate workers killed or injured on the job are both important themes to Wayne. He attributes safety on the job to the work of unions. When asked what he wants young workers to know, he expresses concern about the growth of CLAC, a “rat-union” which has eroded the strength of the building trades.