Frobisher Bay, NWT

SECRET

INTRODUCTION

This project is basically a defence project and will cover work in seven different locations along the east coast of Canada.

These locations are in a part of the country that is very rugged and where weather and working conditions are severe.

It is essential that people going to work on these projects remember the facts that this work is primarily in defence of their country and they should be prepared to accept the severe conditions, accommodations and the lack of contact with facilities with which they are normally accustomed.

They should also be prepared to work with the least possible dissension with their fellow employees and with any other people they may contact while in these locations.

It is also very essential that they remember their oath of Secrecy and do not discuss with any unauthorized person any of the information that they may obtain or things they may see before or during the course of the work or after the completion thereof.

All personnel will be transferred to the Toll area for the duration of the project.

The organization will consist of three groups operating under one construction superintendent. Each group will consist of one supervising construction foreman, two line foremen, one splicing foreman, sixteen linemen, two splicers, two helpers and two installers. (One group will have eighteen linemen).

As no plant will be in place upon arrival at any site, all extra men will have to assist in any work to which the 7 are assigned; for example splicers & installers to do line work, until their particular type of work is ready for them to work on.

It is also necessary that work be so planned and executed that all phases come to completion at the same time in order that the group may move as a unit to the next location.

All work must be done as quickly as possible and to be of the highest standard of quality.

1. GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS

   All sites are more or less mountainous, very rocky and with little overlay of soil, some locations have scrub forest and at others there is no vegetation whatsoever.

2. WEATHER CONDITIONS

These conditions vary considerably but during the summer months the mean temperature would range between 40 and 50 degrees above zero. During winter months the temperature drops to as low as 60 degrees below zero for weeks on end. It is understood from information available that during summer months there is varying rainfall for about eighteen days of every month. It is also understood that it generally snows every month of the year.

3. TRANSPORTATION DIFFICULTIES

There will be two means of transportation available either by air or water.

4. COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

A – RADIO – It is expected that there will be a transmitter set up at each site that will be available for either voice or telegraph communications between sites and to a base point.

B – MAIL SERVICE – It is expected there will be mail service in and out of these locations to a base point dependent largely on the air service available.

5. HOUSING AND MESSING

A - ARMY OR AIR FORCE BARRACKS

At some locations we may be housed and fed in the Air Force Barracks, in these cases it is absolutely essential that we conform strictly to the rules as set down by the base commander for Air Force personnel and us. (Any meals and lodging that we have so far experienced with any kind of armed force have been excellent).

B - CONTRACTORS BASE CAMPS

In some locations we will probably be housed and fed in the base camps established by the prime contractors. In these camps certain rules are set up by the camp manager and we will have to conform to these rules, some of these rules are as follows:

1.- No drinking of alcoholic beverages.

2.- No gambling.

3.- No smoking in bed.

4.- Latrines must be used.

5.- Meal hours must be strictly adhered to.

6.- Camps must be kept clean and neat.

7.- No clothing may be hung closer than 6 feet from the heating units.

8.- No one but those assigned may tamper with or adjust heating units.

9.- We will have to take the part assigned to us in the local fire brigade.

6. MEDICAL SERVICES

At each site there will be a competent first aid man with First Aid equipment and a two or three bed camp assigned as a Hospital. Any serious accident or sickness cases will necessarily have to be flown out to civilization (It is felt that in case of accidents that an offer of assistance to the camp first aid man by any of our personnel that are competent first aiders would be appreciated).

7. RECREATION
1. A recreation hall is provided at each site which has ping pong tables, dart games etc.
2. It is expected that moving pictures will be shown daily.
3. It is possible that soft ball teams may be organized and games played during suitable weather.
4. Swimming – While each site is located near the water it is doubtful that any swimming can be done as the water temperature does not rise above 40 degrees during the summer months.
5. Fishing – It is understood that there is very good fishing at or near each location.
6. Hunting – As these locations lie within the game reserve there is no hunting allowed.
8. CHURCH SERVICES

With the exception of one site, there will be no church services available.

9. BASIC RATE OF PAY AND WORKING CONDITIONS
1. Basic rate of pay and hours per week will not change. Scheduled weekly hours will be on a basis of six days per week and normally will be sixty hours per week. In some locations it will probably be necessary to have the scheduled weekly hours on the basis of seven days per week and seventy hours per week.
2. Craftsmen will be paid time and one half for all time worked in excess of 8 hours per day and for all work on Saturdays and Sundays.
3. The normal pay practices for work on Company Holiday will prevail.
4. First Line Foremen will be paid for time in excess of the basic hours of work (40 hours per week) on a straight time basis calculated on his basic rate.
5. Time not worked, including bad weather and incidental sickness, will be paid for on the basic hour of work, i.e. eight hours per day or 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday inclusive.
6. When work reports have not been received for a pay period or a portion thereof pay will be computed on a 60 hour basis and pay cheques issued accordingly on receipt of the delayed work reports. Any necessary adjustments will be made to the subsequent pay cheques.
7. There will be no bi-weekly trips home or any substitution provided.
8. There will be no vacations taken during the course of this project.
9. Inclement weather – It is expected that we will work in all but very severe inclement weather. Protective clothing will be provided.
10. PAY ARRANGEMENTS

There will be no requirements for cash on the job. Minor personal needs can be filled at the commissary stores and the amount deducted from the employee’s cheques (on a monthly basis) during and/or at the completion of the job.

Since there will be no banking facilities, the company are prepared on receipt of authority from those of age to handle their pay in one of the following ways:

1. Pay it to your wife or other dependent designated by you.
2. Deposit it to your credit in a branch bank designated by you.
3. Or a combination of A & B as designated by you.

In the case of those not of age, pay must be deposited in the bank to the employee’s credit. Salary payment authorization forms will be provided for this purpose.

11. VOLUNTARY DEDUCTION FOR PAY CHEQUES
1. Employees to be transferred should be advised that voluntary deductions from pay will continue while they are engaged on the Project.
2. Subscriptions by deductions from pay under the Employee’s Stock Plan are now subject to automatic renewal upon completion of payments therefore no re-subscriptions are required.
3. Employees participating under the assignment of dividend plan who anticipate the completion of the subscription during the Project period should prepare postdated Forms 87 – Subscription Agreement, prior to their departure for the number of shares on which they desire assign the dividends. If employees are uncertain as to the number of shares on which dividends may be assigned they should request the Auditor of Disbursements (Supervisor of Payrolls) in writing for assistance in determining this information.
4. The Treasury Department will make available for employees form letters covering the disposition of stock certificates to be issued during the period of the Project and also for the disposition of any excess credit cheques pertaining thereto.
5. The Treasury Department should be advised by letter of the required disposition of Canada Savings Bonds by any participating employee who anticipates being engaged on the Project in the months of October and November 1953.
12. COMPULSARY DEDUCTIONS FROM PAY CHEQUES
1. Regular deductions for Income Tax on the basis of total earnings will be made from pay cheques.
2. Unemployment Insurance deductions will be made in the normal manner except for employees whose earnings will exceed $400.00 per month while engaged on the Project in which cases the deductions will cease until the employee returns to his former job and earnings revert to basic pay (See Accounting Circular No. 61).
13. WORKING ADVANCE FUNDS

Care should be taken to arrange for the closing out of any main advance or sub-advance funds presently in the hands of personnel to be transferred.

14. ISOLATION PAY

On this project some sites are classified by the Government as Semi Isolated with $50.00 a month additional for all ranks. Other locations are classified as isolated with $100.00 additional for all ranks.

15. PAY CHEQUE STUBS

The Payroll Division will detach and retain pay cheque stubs for each employee until individual requests are received for delivery of same on return from work on the Project. The Payroll Division will enter the period ending date on each stub for identification purposes.

16. DENTAL CARE

It is very desirable that everyone have their teeth checked and any necessary work done before leaving.

17. CLOTHING
1. Special clothing – It is expected that the following will be provided:

1 – Rubber Pea Jackets

2 – Rubber Overalls

3 – Lumberman’s Rubber Boots

4 – Parka with detachable hood and lining.

5 – Kit Bag

6 – Tinted Safety Glasses.

2. Personal Clothing – Employees are expected to go equipped with clothing with withstand hard wear. Clothing usually worn during fall and winter months should be taken. Replacement clothing will be obtainable from camp commissary stores. Clothing should be carried in kit bags and suit cases. Luggage trunks are not suitable and must not be taken.
3. Toilet Articles – Replacements may be obtained at commissary stores.
18. FACILITIES AVAILABLE
1. Electricity is available at all camp sites.
2. Running water is available at all camp sites.
3. Laundry service is available in all camp sites plus electric washing machines for those who wish to do their own laundry.
19. RADIOS

Small radios are of little value as reception is very spasmodic and poor in this country.

20. CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
21. FIRE ARMS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
22. INSURANCE

    Insurance will be placed by the Company under a blanket policy to cover all employees engaged in this project. The basic cover of which would indemnify for death or injuries resulting from accidental means of $20,000 principal sum, $100.00 weekly indemnity in event of continuous disablement (not exceeding 52 weeks) and $1,000.00 medical expense.

It is sincerely hoped that each employee chosen to work on this project will do his utmost to be agreeable, to produce a good day’s work and to conform to the rules and conditions he encounters, with good spirit.

Any person whom it found that cannot conform to the rules, who may create disturbances and cause trouble, who cannot or will not produce a good day’s work or any who develop prolonged or chronic sicknesses, will be removed from the job and returned to their home immediately. In cases of complaints or difference of opinions a sincere attempt should be made to clear these up on the job without interference to the progress of the work.

Finally anyone arriving at point of departure for their job under the influence of liquor will be taken off the project and returned to their headquarters immediately. Any forbidden articles such as liquor, guns, cameras etc. found in luggage at the time of departure for the job will be confiscated.

RL Tivy
Construction Superintendent
(Special Project)