Changes to Ontario Labour Relations Act could impact worker rights: LiUNA
By Jillian Morgan
Labour LawAmendments to Ontario’s Labour Relations Act could see over 4,000 concrete form workers lose bargaining rights, according to the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA)
Changes to the act would allow The Carpenters’ Union to represent other trades in Southwestern Ontario outside its traditional jurisdiction.
Members covered by the Concrete Formwork Collective Agreement would lose their bargaining rights and conditions to work on industrial, commercial and institutional projects outside the areas covered by LiUNA Local 1059 in London, Ont. and LiUNA Local 625 in Windsor, Ont., said the union.
LiUNA helped to draft the agreement, signed in the 1970s. It represents multiple trades, including labourers, formsetters, cement finishers, rodmen and operators.
“If this change passes and carpenters are able to negotiate on their own, it could result in disruption to job sites across the province,” said Brian MacDonald of the London District Concrete Forming Contractors Association. “Jobs will be held up by one small group negotiating a special agreement, and this has the potential to drive up costs and add more uncertainty to Ontario’s economy.”
Employers could face project delays and efficiency losses as LiUNA members may choose not to work at job sites where they are not represented, according to the union.
LiUNA has called on Ontario skilled trades workers to contact their local member of provincial parliament and say “no” to the proposed changes.
SOURCE: LABOURERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, LOCAL 1059