PCA Celebrates Canada’s Changing Labour Landscape

British Columbia (Aug 31, 2017) – The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) is celebrating Labour Day by recognizing the contribution of thousands of skilled construction workers, of all labour stripes, who’ve come together to build Canada.

Union, non-union and alternative union workers have built many of Canada’s major infrastructure projects, from BC’s Sea-to-Skyway Highway and Port Mann Bridge to Alberta’s oil sands and Ontario’s Billy Bishop Airport. And they’ve done it collaboratively. The same approach is being used to build the Site C dam in BC.

“Construction in Canada has changed dramatically over the past several decades and for the better,” said Paul de Jong, President of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada. “We’re seeing mega projects built by skilled workers with diverse labour backgrounds. It’s an approach that’s inclusive and fiscally responsible.”

The Open Managed Site model has been successful across Canada. It promotes a fair and open approach to building publically funded infrastructure and capital projects. In the past, Building Trades Unions have used Project Labour Agreements (PLAs) to restrict hiring on key projects including Manitoba’s Keeyask dam and Bipole III projects. Many qualified tradespeople have been excluded from these projects that are now behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget. In Ontario, research shows that construction labour monopolies have increased project costs by as much as 30 percent in several municipalities.

“A fair, open and collaborative approach to building is the way of the future,” added de Jong. “It encourages a race to the top, where skill, innovation and efficiency are what matter, not union affiliation.”

PCA is the voice of progressive unionized employers in Canada’s construction industry. Our member companies are responsible for 40 percent of energy and natural resource construction projects in British Columbia and Alberta and are leaders in infrastructure construction across Canada. PCA member companies employ more than 25,000 skilled construction workers in Canada, represented primarily by CLAC.

 

For further information, contact:

Danna O’Brien, Danna@obriencommunications.ca 416-500-0699