A key milestone reached in the Point Lepreau refurbishment project.

I received word yesterday that the final calandria tube has been successfully removed from Point Lepreau’s reactor core. The removal of the 380 calandria tubes marks the the last major job of dismantling the old reactor and now the work of rebuilding the reactor core begins. This is an important milestone in the completion of the Point Lepreau refurbishment project and I wanted to let you know that I am proud of everyone who has contributed to the refurbishment project so far.

A lot of the most difficult and challenging work has now been completed, safely, and it is due to the hard work and dedication of all Local 37 members who have helped to plan and execute this project and related activities, whether directly or in a supporting role, and also those who have worked as protection assistants to ensure that our partners in the building trades unions and AECL are able to work safely. This also includes our members working in all other NB Power companies who have kept the rest of NB Power's complex system running smoothly for the people of New Brunswick while Point Lepreau is off-line.

Speaking of safety, this first of its kind project has gone millions of hours worked without a lost time accident -- this is top performance that is never matched by industries and workplaces that don't have our culture of always putting public and worker safety first.

Local 37 members continually reflect the qualities that the IBEW is known for: the best skills, the highest quality and the strongest work ethic. As we move into the next phase of the project - putting the reactor back together and commissioning - I know that all Local 37 members will continue to shine, by remaining focused on those qualities and by working safely.