How Caribbean Labour Contributed to Building a Profitable Petrochemical Industry in Alberta
Click here for interviews relating to Caribbean Oil Workers in Alberta
by Donna Coombs-Montrose
They came from sunny Caribbean islands in the mid-1960s through the 1970s, seasoned in oil producing, refining, and development, to lift Alberta’s unknown rural bitumen finds into modern economic prosperity. Bypassing the popular megalopolis Toronto, they headed west to Alberta to demonstrate their well-honed industry skills accumulated over years of postsecondary, health and safety, and technical training. At the time industry owners relied on American contractors to provide much-needed skills to develop Alberta’s basin of oil deposits, until the large pool of Caribbean skills was recruited to build and provide critical services.
In 2023 Alberta Labour History Institute initiated a research project to explore the major role played by Caribbean oil workers in developing Alberta’s industry and its standards, as well as the socioeconomic development of the wealth attached to this industry. Twelve workers were chosen for interviews. Oral histories were created, as these veterans described their technical skills and professional experience in petroleum project management, oilsands surface, remote servicing and underground mining, welding, thermal techniques like steam injection processing, and in crude oil extraction and refining.
One interviewee described his rigorous Caribbean apprenticeship training over several years, in every facet of oil production and refining. This prepared him for all stages of operations and promotion in the Syncrude environment. Several others owned mobile welding rigs and serviced remote parts of the province. The master electrician with engineering skills helped build an electrical grid for Syncrude’s main production complex. He later worked at resolving every issue that impacted dragline operations in different provincial locations, saving Syncrude thousands in US contractor billing. With million dollar budgets some enhanced oil and by-products development. Others managed health and safety operations.
Remote Fort McMurray presented its challenges – racial resentment of this visible group, weekly plane or bus commutes, isolation from Edmonton-based families, culture and weather shock. Some were raising families in trailer parks. Interviewees triumphed over the barriers to raise industry standards and awareness in health and safety, and to build community in Fort Mc with sporting leagues and Steelband music organisations, still on the front lines of community culture today. Members of this group received several civic awards for their contributions to Fort McMurray and environs.
Click here for interviews relating to Caribbean Oil Workers in Alberta