CBTU Executive Director Addresses UA's 41st Convention Calling for North American Collaboration

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's Building Trades Unions (CBTU) Executive Director, Sean Strickland, addressed nearly 4,000 members of the United Association (UA) at its convention in San Diego, including 1,000 Canadian delegates. The convention reflected the strength of the UA's North American partnership, guided internationally by General President, Mark McManus and supported in Canada by Director of Canadian Affairs, Terry Snooks. With nearly 60,000 UA members across Canada, that partnership continues to advance opportunities for skilled tradespeople on both sides of the border.

Shortly before his address, UA delegates passed a resolution opposing tariffs and supporting policies that protect workers and promote cross-border cooperation. Mr. Strickland then delivered a clear warning about the consequences of tariffs, emphasizing that they raise costs, disrupt integrated supply chains, and threaten jobs throughout the construction and manufacturing sectors.

"Tariffs don't build anything. They delay everything," shared Strickland. "Our supply chains are integrated. When a project stalls in one country, workers in the other feel it."

Industry analyses indicate that recent tariff rounds contributed to more than 190,000 U.S. manufacturing job losses. In California, construction associations report that tariff-driven material costs have added between $20,000 and $40,000 to the price of an average new home, and as much as twice that amount in markets including San Francisco and Los Angeles.

"That's not protecting workers," Strickland said. "That's pricing families out of homes and putting tradespeople on the bench."

CBTU welcomed the temporary pause in the latest round of tariffs announced this week, while echoing Prime Minister Mark Carney's assessment that important work remains.

"The relationship between the UA and Canada's Building Trades Unions runs deep," Strickland said. "We've trained together, organized together, fought for working people together, and we'll keep building together."

Executive Director Strickland concluded by emphasizing that the UA and CBTU partnership will help deliver the next generation of major infrastructure projects across Canada and the United States, including investments in energy, critical minerals, nuclear power, manufacturing, data centres and transportation infrastructure.

With a shared commitment to skilled trades workers, cross-border cooperation and nation-building, the CBTU and the UA are prepared to meet this moment and build a stronger North American future, together.

About CBTU
Canada's Building Trades Unions are an organization representing 14 international unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries that collectively represent 500,000 skilled trades workers in Canada who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations and generate seven per cent of Canada's GDP. CBTU's mission is to advocate for public policy and work opportunities that benefit our members and improves the living and working conditions for construction workers across Canada. Learn more at www.buildingtrades.ca

SOURCE Canada's Building Trades Unions

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