Top Stories
What Are You Doing for Safety? Follow Traffic Flow in the USB Yard
This is a reminder to please use the Entrance gate to enter the USB Yard and the Exit gate to leave to avoid incidents. Remember, there’s also foot traffic from our Building Ops staff.
Launching Respectful Workplace Conversations and the Anti-Bullying Campaign Celebrated in a Sea of Pink
Day Shift in Pink
Building Ops staff came wearing their pink shirts while they enjoy a slice of pink cake. But it’s not just all about the pink. It’s also a lot about Respect.
Respect is one of the 5 core values of the university enshrined in President Ono’s new strategic plan and it is one of the pillars of Building Operation’s success. To ensure that we are living our values, starting last week we began a conversation about what respectful workplace means and how we can make that happen for ourselves and the university.
One of the themes from our conversations has been how each of us, as individuals, taking action can achieve the kind of workplace we want. As individuals we have the power to make a difference. We have the power to choose our reaction to stressful situations. We have the power to respectfully point out when someone has been disrespectful to us. We have the power to be curious instead of angry. We have the power to apologize when we say something we wish we hadn’t. We have power to seek amicable resolutions.
We still have work to do to ensure that everyone we work with feels that people are treated with respect and consideration in our workplace. And this is just the beginning. Over the coming months we will continue the conversation and have follow up discussions in crew talks to engage further on what we want from our workplace.
Thank you all for participating and contributing in making our workplace a better and respectful one.
Evening Shift in Pink
Night Shift in Pink
Parking Changes at Buchanan Complex
Vehicles will no longer be permitted to park under the breezeway between Buchanan A and Buchanan B due to the high risk of damaging the structure of the building. This applies to all vehicles, including Building Operations vans. Parking Services will be monitoring the area. Please find alternative parking as needed.
Congratulations, Nikki Gaulton, for Completing Your Steamfitter Apprenticeship
Steamfitters are the skilled trades who ensure the delivery of heat to buildings at UBC. At Energy & Water, through access holes and tunnels, they work on the last bits of the old steam and new Hot Water District Energy Systems. At Building Operations, they work inside the buildings where the steam or hot water systems meet heat exchangers and transfer heat to a building’s internal heating and domestic hot water systems.
Nikki joined UBC as a third-year apprentice and, after writing her exams in November, became UBC’s newest journey-level steamfitter. On International Women’s Day, Nikki was one of the women in the spotlight on diversity and creativity in the skilled trades. The gender balance of the traditionally male construction worksite never concerned Nikki. For her, being in the trades is all about creativity. “As a woman, I was able to bring different perspectives, different ways of working, and new approaches,” says Nikki. Find out more about Nikki’s journey by visiting the Equity and Inclusion Office.
Her journey to becoming a full-fledged steamfitter was celebrated by the Apprenticeship Committee. Celebrating with her, from left to right, are Matthew Harraway, Catalina Canon, Nikki Gaulton, Denise Pearce, Leah Murray and Russell Neal.
Thank You Paint Shop for Contributing to the Faculty of Arts
The engineering Cairn was painted rainbow colours in support of the LGBTQ community. It was defaced with inappropriate messaging and traced back to students in the Faculty of Arts. The Assistant Dean of Arts wanted to right this wrong by personally repainting it. He reached out to the FM for assistance with rounding up paint. The paint shop assembled the necessary rainbow colours in a pinch. The results were a very thankful Dean and a confirmation of a positive message due to the collaboration of Building Operations and the Faculty of Arts.
Gerald Vanderwoude, Assistant Dean, with Candace Brown and Ana Policzer Righting a Wrong
Millwrights Save the Day in Chem/Physics (again!)
Early last week, a catastrophic bearing failure occurred on AHU-3 in the Chemistry/Physics Building affecting about 1/3 of the building’s research and offices in which it provides heating and airflow. Millwright sub-head Bryan Archibald effected an immediate bearing replacement strategy and was able to get the unit restored to service in a remarkable turnaround time. Well done Bryan and team!
Come Celebrate 2017 New Employees on March 8
We welcomed new members to our Building Ops team in 2017. Let’s celebrate and get to know them on March 8. Join us for coffee and cake!
Timecard Improvement Project Update
As you may have already heard, we have received a decision from the executive team reviewing our business case on the implementation of Kronos, our proposed time-keeping system. At this point the decision has been made to pause the Kronos contract signing and implementation planning and focus instead on provision of our timekeeping needs through Workday, with a potential of revisiting Kronos in the future for any unmet requirements.
This decision is in line with direction from the Board, Executive, and ITAC (Information Technology Advisory Council) that all functionality should be first in the enterprise system, WorkDay, and then only if there are gaps consider other options. The reviewing executive wanted to convey to you that it was a very difficult decision because of the difficult balance between the clear need for this project in Building Operations versus the decision to implement the new WorkDay system at a campus level. So the two systems that will drive us forward will be WorkDay which has time keeping functionality, and a new Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Once these systems have been implemented then any identified gaps will be addressed.
Several factors were considered in making this decision. First, if we were to implement Kronos now, it would start to narrow system architecture options for the CMMS and Workday. Second, Kronos is launching a new product which could result in a need to migrate during the same time as WorkDay implementation, which will increase complexity and cost. Third, there was concern about allocating limited IT resources to Kronos given the critical need to focus attention on implementation of WorkDay
In light of this decision, the following commitments have been made to Building Operations:
1. Time and Attendance is now part of the April 2020 go live implementation plan for Workday.
2. A CMMS solution will be supported with the planning and selection process to commence right away.
3. An offer to provide resources to ensure the current Access Data base continues to function and streamline the current system.
A big thank you for your commitment and passion in moving this project forward, now we need to focus our energies on implementing the CMMS and Workday. This is a great opportunity to implement our much needed new CMMS on a priority basis with full support of the university.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the team members who helped move this project along through requirements gathering, vendor selection, and the IT approval process: Robin Shortt, Pearle Lundeen, Evan Colville, Shahid Hussain, Paul Hays, John Sacre, Denise Pearce, Frank Crudo, Pam Wasylyshen, Mike Devolin, Pete Mcloughlin, Tamas Weidner, Tariq Din, Lori Donald, Mike Giannias, Mark Lindsay and Ray McNichol.
Stay tuned for session details with IT senior leaders to discuss the IT strategy and commitment to Building Operations’ path forward.
Keeping You Posted on Opportunities in Building Operations–EOI in Custodial Services open until March 12
(EOI) – Temporary Assignment for Operations Manager
Further to Pam Wasylyshen being the successful candidate for the temporary Custodial Superintendent position, we are now looking to temporarily fill the role of Operations Manager, Custodial Services for the day shift team. The successful applicant will act as the Operations Manager for a minimum of 6 months with the possibility of extension if required. The role will oversee the operations, maintenance and customer service levels of the Custodial department while leading and managing projects, organizational initiatives, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The Operations Manager also leads and directs the day time staff including the Assistant Supervisor (M&P), Utility Worker crew, Custodial Storekeeper crew, as well as assists in managing the Head Service Workers and their crews. The role is responsible for identifying efficiencies while working in conjunction with a variety of Building Operations staff to coordinate projects, costs and scheduling requirements. The incumbent is accountable for multiple ongoing projects which require the ability to analyze data and budgeting skills.
This position resides in the Management and Professional employment group and may offer an excellent and challenging development opportunity for the right candidate. The Acting Superintendent for Custodial Services is committed to supporting the successful candidate through guidance and coaching. All interested Building Operations managers are encouraged to consider this opportunity.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for the specific job duties, accountabilities, responsibilities and consequence of error associated with this position.
If you are interested, please submit a cover letter and resume to Janice Weigel, Acting Managing Director, Building Operations at janice.weigel@ubc.ca. Documents will be accepted for this opportunity until end of Monday, 12 March 2018.
Thank You for Participating in the 2017 Workplace Experience Survey
The Workplace Experience Survey is done once every 3 years to share your workplace experiences in a completely anonymous fashion. As mentioned in the November 15 edition of newsletter, by participating in the survey, you will not only help Building Ops redefine our engagement strategies but also help in creating a better workplace. With all responses tallied, we will be posting our results in the Building Operations website. Stay tuned for sessions on exploring our results.
Quick Updates
New Zone Work Order Numbers to be used starting Monday, March 12
Welcome to UBC: Stephen Langrell, Milo Milosavic & Michael Laing
Congratulations Pam Wasylyshen as the Acting Custodial Superintendent
Janice Weigel is the Acting Managing Director for March