production worker

machine operator

millwright

production helper

industrial electrician

Tree Island Steel

For the first 10 months of the 3 years I worked their it was good. I advanced to machine operator in 4 months and my rate of pay went up a lot.  The 2 operators that were already on the machine didn't want another person on the machine and refused to train me, answer my question or help me in anyway. They went as far as cutting rod so that it would break when I started running, running the material out and not leaving enough rod to weld back on too and messing with the bandier so when I lifted these 3000lbs coils the banding would break and the coil would fall. 1 of the supervisor at the time was great and tried to help me but another one didn't like me and seemed to make it worse. I would try to go to our union president but he only cares about himself and won't do anything for anyone else. My numbers became higher then the other 2 operators and the feared that I was going to replace one of them. In the winter they get slow and I got put back into the helper position which is much lower pay. This shop is a union and because of that seniority almost always gets to stay at their position even if you out work, out produce and put out a much better product than they do. In January the shipper was missing a lot of work, he would no show or go home early and when he was there he would complain and yell and scream all day. One day he didn't show up and there were trucks waiting at the gate and no one to load them, so I put on a jacket and headed outside without anyone asking or having a clue on what  to do. The only thing I was sure of was that the product the trucks were there for needed to be shipped out. I figured it out with the help of the Shipper Manager of  Canada from head office. Over the next month and a half when the shipper didn't show up I would go to the yard and load trucks for him. Management started putting me on the schedule for shipping. Because we are a union job, position must be posted. Sometime towards the end of February a job posting for Lead Hand Shipper got put up, I think 4 people put there names on it. The collective barging agreement says that they need to consider 4 things when awarding a position and if no one in the shop meets the requirements the company can hire from the outside. I put my name on it and because I have been working in the yard for a couple of months and I was pretty much trained it would be my job for sure. they have to take the posting down in 1 week and have 10 days after that to award the position. This didn't happen, I was still working in the yard full time but not at the shipping wage. I asked our plant manager what was going on and he told me it was up to our plants shipping supervisor but when I asked him he told me it was up to our plant manager and head office. I went onto Indeed and the company had an ad up for the position that I have been working in and have put my name up for. Again I asked what was going on and again I was given the run around. I was by the supervisor office and someone came in asking for the shipping supervisor because he has job interview for the shipping position. I asked the shipping supervisor again what was going on and he told me that they wanted to hire from the outside. I told him that I fit all the qualification and because we are a union shop they have to give it to me or the other guy who applied. He told me " DO YOU THINK WE GIVE A S**T ABOUT YOUR UNION? THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE LAWYERS FOR. YOU WILL NEVER EVER GET THAT POSITION ". I filed a grievance and because our president was useless I went to our regional rep. The company kept delaying everything. One day the boss of the Canadian plants came to our shop and I sat down with him and told him that I can do this, I was already doing it and I was doing a good job. The shipping Manager of Canada also told him that I was doing a great job before they pulled me out. After all that I finally got the position. I really enjoyed the position but everyone seemed to work against each other and no matter what I did to make others job easier they continued to only care about themselves. The union president has no idea what he is doing, he has no idea what the contract says and if he doesn't like you he will do whatever he can to get you in trouble. The shop does not act like a union shop, everyone throws everyone under the bus and if someone doesn't do their job day in and day out and you try talking to them and then you try talking to the union and they still dont do there job and you are forced to go to a supervisor then you are the bad guy and all the members treat you poorly even though they do the exact same thing and their work quality is poor as well.  I know I did a good job, I was told I did everyday.  The drama day in and day out is a lot to deal with. A couple of the supervisors are OK and one is great, but head office micro manages so they are restricted on what they can do and how they discipline so the floor so nothing changes. I could go on for hrs so I will leave with this, if you do not have thick skin do not apply.  It could be a good place to work if they worked on shop morel, if upper management didn't have favorites and head office allowed the supervisor to make their own calls. They could also pay more from the general helper to the lead hand operator, maintenance and the supervisors. Also upper - management makes a promise like more money they should keep their word instead of giving the run around and blaming someone else. If the last thing happened they wouldn't have lost their best employees.

I came into Tree Island as a Manager excited to learn, grow and work as part of a team. Unfortunately, the company wants to say that the Health and Safety of their employees is their #1 priority,  but that is definitely not true! Production is #1 and all the employees are replaceable, regardless of how many years of devoted service and hard work they have put into the company.  
As a Health & Safety Manager it was so very frustrating to be promised accountability, and a willingness to change, but anytime it interfered with production, there would never be any follow through. 
Employees work with antiquated,  broken equipment,  yet the employer expects top results. Also, their supervisors do nothing, they don't enforce safety policy and yes even directly contributed to Lost Time Injuries of plant employees, with no accountability whatsoever!
This is not right, as a Safety professional, in good conscience,  couldn't stay and turn a blind eye to the mismanagement by the upper management. 

For a high risk facility, all departments  should have a weekly safety meeting,, but unfortunately, safety meetings are only, one 30 minute meeting, once per month and not all departments  are consistant, as you would have to shut down production to hold the meeting.
If you value your well being and Safety, DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY.

I came to Tree Island back in the spring of 2021 while attending school. My role was the weekend cleanup crew. Everyone have their own opinions on their experiences working here but I honestly had a good experience working with awesome teammates, respectful supervisor and friendly office staffs. 

If anyone want to work and become successful in their roles; just do this. Be respectful, Use common sense, have a sense of humor (Not too much), try to listen to those who were there longer than you were; their advices will be very useful for your growth and always safety first. 

These are something I was taught while working there. Once awhile, we get BBQ for lunch. Parking is secured so no worries on that. 

One thing I disliked about working in Tree Island was, the temperature. It was really really hot. Working in summer.. not a happy place to be. At least, there was AC in the restroom. 

Started here with high hopes that I would succeed, but the training that is provided basically sets you up to fail. They have a high turn over rate. If you don't meet their unrealistic production targets they will terminate you. The machines they have here are from the 1960's and they are constantly breaking down. Employees who had 4 years in this organization were getting written up for lack of productivity due to broken machines. When the machines break down, it is expected that the employee fixes it while keeping production going. Constant layoffs, this workplace  is heavily dependent on the price of steel. In my 3 weeks here at tree island, 7 employees were fired and 1 quit. Avoid this place like the plague.

The hiring process was really quick and i didnt expect to go that quickly.

On Monday i had a phone call with a recruiter, by tuesday we did a interview and on Wednesday i was invited for orientation and by Friday of the same week i was working with the company!

Everyone seemed really nice and genuine and wants you to succeed because they know when the employees produces the company makes more money. its a win-win. im still so new but its really not as bad as everyone says. Sure the machines are a bit old but which company doesnt have old machines? And the bonus is i get to enjoy the production bonus so the more i produce the bigger the paycheck which is good because im here to make money.

Work site is loud and greasy but they gave us all the safety glass and gloves and ear plugs. i feel we are well respected here.

My experience at Tree Island has opened me up to the manufacturing/steel industry. Quickly, I learned that its very demanding at times, both physically, and mentally - albeit gratifying work.

It's an industry/workplace that has room for ones career growth or stability in maintaining a single position - it all depends on the mindset of workers who come seeking employment.

I would recommend Tree Island to those who are willing to put in a good days work for a good days pay - exposure to this type of industry will open up doors down the line for any of those willing to give it a shot.

I've been working with the company for a few weeks now and i really like it here. Its hardwork but im paid handsomely for my work. I've used to work as a labourer rain or shine and it was backbreaking work. Here im working in a steady location so i dont have to drive to different job sites like i used to and its also good i get to work with the same crew everytime. its hard to build up the connection when my foreman is different with every job! Hard work but it provides for my family and me so i am happy here.

My position keeps me busy. I work in operations dept. and it feels like family; I like helping the plant employees. The hardest part of my job is reconciling a large amount of details right before deadline to close for the period end. The best part is a good raport with my manager and great co-workers... hours are good too. Not enough time off though, would like more vacations.

Very unsafe there has been one recent fatality. Staff with first aid tickets are very busy. 

Managements' priority over everything even safety is production. This has created an extremely unsafe environment with machines that are falling apart. Management still expects impossible production numbers from these machines.

They always run short-staffed. The training program is very bad. People who have just finished training will be training the new people. 

Union staff are great and awesome to work with.

Rotation shift work every 2 week switches from graveyard, to afternoons to days toxic culture everything is broken but they act like it’s all new and it’s your problem to fix since they see u as disposable

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Production worker 4 salaries reported	$27.28 per hour
Machine operator 2 salaries reported	$33.46 per hour
Millwright 2 salaries reported	$46.92 per hour
Production helper 2 salaries reported	$27.33 per hour
Industrial electrician 9 salaries reported	$45.90 per hour

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