Cloud-based computing is helping power trade unions
Source: Richard Gilbert
A locally developed cloud-based technology is helping construction labour unions across North America with office administration and membership management. "When we started many years ago, the internet and e-mail were pretty weak in terms of being a common fixture," said Reg Cawston, who is responsible for business development with Delta, B.C.-based QTrades. "So, the software has progressed to provide internet access, which allows contractors and business agents on the road to gain access and use the information they need. They don't have to be at a desk. All they need is a mobile device."
QTrades is launching a membership database system for the Construction Maintenance and Allied Workers (CMAW) Canada, which enables local offices, business representatives, contractors and members to have up-to-date information on jobsites.
Cawston said CMAW is deploying the cloud version of the software, so people don't have to use independent servers at each office location. The software development process involves documenting the union's business process and capturing information in a way that makes sense to the user.
"QTrades provides full membership tracking from the apprentice, who is starting with a local, all the way to retirement and death benefits," said Cawston. "The membership software is focused on labour trades and built specifically for that purpose because they have unique requirements. There is a long history there."
According to Cawston, the typical information that a union hall might keep track of includes training and certificates, which can now be sent as images to the contractor. The sign-in/dispatch is critical in the construction trade union market. When the member is dispatched, they are working in the field for a contractor, so number of hours worked, basic dues, benefits and other fees need to be tracked. QTrades started the implementation of the CMAW's database system in January 2015 and part of the deployment cycle was to get Local 1995 in Burnaby up and running first. The Burnaby office was the test site of a pilot project, which started in July with administrative staff using the old system and the new system at the same time. This allowed the users to get comfortable and gain confidence on the new system, while producing the same results.
"The software is designed to cover CMAWs main business processes including apprenticeship tracking, skill certification, basic demographics, dues and fees, sign-in dispatch, job board and contractor reporting," said Cawston. "The training of staff in Burnaby is the start of a province-wide launch, which will eventually implement the software at nine or 10 locals."
Product modules also include member benefits/hourbank and mobile access. In addition, members will be able to access their information online instead of having to call or come to the hall during office hours. Contractors will be able to check on any member's safety certificates. Business representatives on the road will be able to use the Internet to acquire complete member lists instead of having to call the hall office and wait for someone to retrieve the information and pass it onto them.
QTrades offers different products and services depending upon what particular problems and challenges the clients at each union hall office are facing. For example, QTrades has helped its customers switch from a manual sign-in/dispatching procedure to a computer database system and streamlined their process to better handle worker compensation case files.
"Some of the clients have been through the transition period and on the software for many years," said Cawston. "Depending on the client size and how many modules they are using it can take anywhere from two to 18 months to settle in. They usually have to go through some sort of culture shock."
The company's clients are mainly in B.C. and Alberta, but some are located across Canada and even the U.S. The clients include millwrights, bricklayers, ironworkers. The smallest client is a local union with about 400 members. The largest client is the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association based in Baltimore, which has about 60,000 members. CMAW has about 15,000 members.
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