Victoria (May 3, 2019) – The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) whose member companies employ thousands of B.C. construction workers has significant concerns with the Horgan government’s proposed Labour Code changes. While PCA is pleased that the government has retained the secret ballot for certification, the introduction of annual summertime open periods for the construction sector will be a major and expensive complication for PCA member companies. July and August are the peak of the construction season, and annual open periods amount to an unnecessary distraction.
“During the busiest time of year, progressively unionized construction companies will be forced to contend with the turmoil of aggressive union organization drives,” said Paul de Jong, President of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA). “This detracts from the tremendous amount of work that needs to be done, and for no good reason.”
In its submission to the Expert Advisory Panel, PCA recommended that Open Periods be held every three years. In PCA’s view, this would strike a more reasonable balance, allowing for adequate representation for workers and a stable, productive workforce for employers. A similar balanced approach was endorsed by the Panel.
“It is mystifying to us why the Horgan government would recommend de-stabilizing measures like annual open periods,” added de Jong. “And why only for the construction industry? It appears that this is yet another initiative to privilege his selected union friends at the expense of the B.C. economy.”
PCA is calling on the B.C. government to scrap these intrusive measures and implement the sensible and responsible recommendations of the Expert Advisory Panel.
About the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA)
With offices in BC, Alberta and Ontario, 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