January 26, 2009

Christian Labour Association of Canada

CLAC establishes scholarship in memory of union representative

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

A scholarship for students in construction is being created by the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) in honour of one of its union representatives who died suddenly and unexpectedly last September.

Frank Kooger was the association’s regional director for Fort McMurray and its Alberta director for union construction. A 26-year employee, he had previously been a history and social science teacher at Lethbridge Christian School.

“As he had been high school teacher, we thought a scholarship would be appropriate way to remember him,” said Dick Heinen, executive director of the Mississauga-based association, which has offices across the country.

With the help of a major donation from the Ledcor Group of Companies, contributions from a number of contractor associations and its own fundraising efforts, a total of $109,000 has been collected.

“Our goal is $160,000 and we have commitments for another $20,000,” said Heinen. “We were surprised by the sudden downturn in the economy. But we hope to have the balance raised by the spring.”

Details such as the eligibility frequency and the value of the scholarships have yet to be finalized. But candidates must be enrolled in or studying construction-related subjects and come from families who are CLAC members, says Heinen. The association sponsors eight other scholarship programs, he points out.

The success of the campaign to date is a tribute to Kooger, whose death shocked and saddened his colleagues.

“Frank was one of CLAC’s most popular representatives.”

Born and raised in Ontario, Kooger started with CLAC in 1982 in the Chatham office as a representative in the construction and health care sectors. He transferred to British Columbia in 1987 where he dramatically expanded CLAC’s presence in the province with the help of a small team, says Heinen.

His expertise in industrial construction was recognized when he was sent to Fort McMurray in 2004 to manage CLAC’s growing influence in the region.

His efforts paid off significantly for the association as it became the dominant labour union with thousands of workers employed on oilsands projects, says Heinen.

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