Workers Tell MPs: No On C-377

OTTAWA, May 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, hundreds of skilled trades workers from across Canada are in Ottawa to meet with their local Members of Parliament, asking that they vote against Bill C-377. The day of meetings has been organized by the Canadian Building Trades Unions to provide MPs with an opportunity to hear directly from their constituents about their concerns with C-377.

"Skilled trades workers from Vancouver to St. John's are worried about the impacts of Bill C-377 and its costly negative impacts on major Oil Sands developments and other large scale energy projects across the County" said Bob Blakely, Director of Canadian Affairs. "Our workers rely on their unions to provide necessary benefits and training with the dues that they pay. And our partner contractors - and clients they work for rely on them to use the skilled manpower we provide in a cost efficient manner.  C-377 is going to see that money spent on creating more government bureaucracy.  It will slow down Canada's economic recovery in the construction sector."

The Canadian Building Trades Unions are very concerned about the impacts of Bill C-377, which endangers our ability to build projects across the country and create jobs. C-377 is intended to fix a problem that does not exist. Instead, it actually duplicates processes that are already in place to provide accountability and transparency for our workers and would create an expanded, expensive and redundant bureaucracy.

"Our workers belong to private sector unions. Unlike charities and political parties, they do not receive any public subsidies or public monies," said Blakely, "Our workers and their families enjoy tax deductibility on the dues they pay to their unions, the same way other professionals like doctors and lawyers do. If enacted, C-377 will negatively impact 500,000 Canadian skilled trades workers."

About the BCTD

The North America-wide BCTD AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labour Congress of Industrial Organizations) coordinates activities and provides resources to 15 affiliated trade unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries. In Canada, the BCTD represents 500,000 skilled trades workers.

For further information:

Christopher Smillie
Government Relations and Public Affairs
Office:  [phone]
Cell:  [phone]
[e-mail]