Ontario College of Trades Out of Control

TORONTO, April 7, 2014 /CNW/ - LIUNA Locals 183 from Toronto and 625 from Windsor today demanded the government call an immediate moratorium on harassment by enforcement officers and granting any new compulsory trade status by the Ontario College of Trades.

"Charging around the province slapping charges on hardworking men and women has to stop," said Rob Petroni, Business Manager for LIUNA Local 625, "Our members have been doing this work for decades with the blessing of the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).  The College has no business saying otherwise."

Earlier this year, a College of Trades enforcement officer charged Stacey Electric for using Local 625 workers in Windsor.  The charges will either be heard by a Justice of the Peace or in Provincial Court.  The charge claims the members were not allowed to do the work, even though jurisdiction has been granted to LIUNA long ago.

"The College of Trades is also walking all over the decisions of the OLRB on scope and Jurisdiction by considering making more trades compulsory.  This will drive up costs and could put thousands of our members out of work," said Jack Oliveira, Business Manager of Local 183, "Simple, non-hazardous work does not need to be done by licensed tradespeople."

LIUNA is calling on Ontario to transfer the College enforcement officers to the Ministry of Labour and impose an immediate moratorium on any new compulsory trades.

LIUNA Local 183 is North America's largest construction union, representing members primarily in the Greater Toronto Area, with additional offices in Barrie and Cobourg. Members work in the construction industry including sewer and water main, residential, industrial, road construction, bridge building, pipeline, utilities and railroads.

LIUNA Local 625 represents nearly 1400 Windsor area workers in the industrial, commercial, institutional, heavy civil, residential, broader power, and utility construction sectors.

SOURCE: Universal Workers Union, Local 183

Jack Oliveira 416-241-1183
Rob Petroni 519-737-0373