Union public construction doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean more expensive construction, says the head of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 building trades organization.
B次元官网网址淚f that were the case, there probably wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be a union contractor left,B次元官网网址� said Tom Sigurdson, executive director of the B.C. and Yukon Building Trades Council.
Sigurdson was commenting Tuesday on Premier John HorganB次元官网网址檚 announcement of B次元官网网址減roject labour agreementsB次元官网网址� to cover major public infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. The first two projects to be administered by the new system are the Pattullo Bridge replacement between New Westminster and Surrey, and sections of four-laning the Trans-Canada Highway from Kamloops to the Alberta border.
Requiring union membership doesnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily mean higher wages, but it does usually mean better benefits and pension contributions, Sigurdson said in an interview with Black Press. And he said it opens up training for employees who have to join an international union to get a job on a B.C. public infrastructure project.
Employees who have worked at a trade for several years without certification can be assessed by the Industry Training Association and either challenge the exam for red seal trade certification or be placed at the apprenticeship level that reflects their skills and experience.
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Public construction has been a battleground between traditional unions, non-union companies and non-affiliated unions like the Christian Labour Association of Canada.
B次元官网网址淏ritish Columbians should be extremely wary of any effort to allow a select few unions to determine who has the right to access to work on public projects,B次元官网网址� said Wayne Prins, executive director of CLAC.
B次元官网网址淐LAC is not a union,B次元官网网址� Sigurdson replied.
Bidding for work under the new corporation is not restricted to designated union firms, but if unaffiliated or non-union companies are successful, their employees are required to join the recognized union within 30 days of starting employment.
Sigurdson said non-union companies can bring managers and a set number of employees with them, depending on the job classification, and go to the union hiring hall for the rest.
The government set up a new Crown corporation called B.C. Infrastructure Benefits Inc., and the building trades established the Allied Infrastructure Related and Construction Council to sign contracts for public construction.
Sigurdson said the Building Trades Council is a voluntary organization of international unions that represents most, but not all, trades needed for major projects.
According to the transportation ministry, the Allied Infrastructure Related and Construction Council is B次元官网网址渁 coalition of B.C. Building Trades members that formed a legal entity that can sign the community benefits agreement on behalf of their members.B次元官网网址� Member unions are:
B次元官网网址� British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters
B次元官网网址� Construction Maintenance and Allied Workers Council
B次元官网网址� International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local Union 97
B次元官网网址� International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local Union 280, Local Union 276
B次元官网网址� International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Lodge 359
B次元官网网址� International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 213, Local Union 993, Local Union 1003, Local 230
B次元官网网址� International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union 213
B次元官网网址� International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local Union No.2
B次元官网网址� International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union 115
B次元官网网址� International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 38 Painters 138, Glaziers 1527, Drywall Finishers 2009
B次元官网网址� Labourers International Union of North America Construction and Specialized Workers Union Local 1611
B次元官网网址� Move Up B次元官网网址� A Movement of United Professionals Local 378
B次元官网网址� Operative PlasterersB次元官网网址� and Cement MasonsB次元官网网址� International Association of the United States and Canada Local Union 919
B次元官网网址� United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada Local Union 170, Local Union 516, Local 324
B次元官网网址� United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Floorlayers Local Union 1541
B次元官网网址� United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Millwrights, Machine Erectors & Maintenance 2736
B次元官网网址� United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Piledrivers Local Union 2404
B次元官网网址� UNITE-HERE Local 40
