Bill 31 will Increase Fairness for Unionized Skilled Workers in Ontario

TORONTO, April 23, 2018 /CNW/ - The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario (CDC) is calling on all three parties in Ontario to support changes to the Labour Relations Act that will provide greater fairness for workers in the construction industry.

Amendments to the Act proposed in Bill 31 will bring equity and stability back to the province's mandated single trade province-wide collective agreements, strengthening fairness for all unionized workers.

"The existing formwork exemption has been a significant issue of concern for the construction industry for many years, as the exemption was being used outside of its original intent.  The Carpenters' Union is pleased that the government has taken action to address this important issue that will increase fairness for unionized skilled workers and allow Carpenters' to lend our expertise to projects that are building Ontario's economy," said Tony Iannuzzi, Executive Secretary Treasurer, Carpenters' District Council of Ontario.

Bill 31 was introduced in response to a report by independent expert Kevin Burkett who determined that formwork exemptions to LiUNA's designation provided them with an unfair advantage. Bill 31 adopts Mr. Burkett's recommendations to put LiUNA and the CDC on an "equal legal footing" and restores fairness in the province.

Bill 31 has broad support from the construction industry, including workers and employers, who agree it will create a fairer system for all.

"Bill 31 levels-out the playing field for unionized, skilled workers by increasing fairness and ensures that workers will receive a fair wage. These changes will benefit all unionized general contractors, and employers, not just Carpenters, by removing unfair practices in the sector," said Mike Yorke, President, Carpenters' District Council of Ontario.

LiUNA's claims that Bill 31 would remove the bargaining rights of workers and impact the residential high-rise sector in Toronto are completely false. Bill 31 offers a corrective mechanism to the exemption that LiUNA was intentionally mis-using to prevent other unionized skilled workers from competing for projects.

Both LiUNA and the CDC participated in the provincial government's independent review of the formwork sector. While the CDC didn't agree with all of the recommendations in the review, the CDC respects the recommendations and would like to move forward in the best interests of Ontario's unionized skilled workers.

About the Carpenters' District Council of Ontario (CDC)

The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario ("CDC") is composed of 16 affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across the province. In total, we represent over 26,000 women and men working in a wide range of skilled trades, including carpentry, drywall, resilient flooring, concrete formwork, underwater construction, welding, scaffolding, and a long list of other construction-related work.

https://thecarpentersunion.ca/

SOURCE Carpenters' District Council of Ontario

For further information: Media inquiries - Susan Nicholson, 905-652-4140 x. 271, [e-mail]