August 20, 2008
Union construction sector develops first-ever Drug and Alcohol Policy for construction worksites

BC’s construction unions and their employers have developed a groundbreaking substance abuse testing and treatment policy which will continue to enhance safety for union workers on the job and provide treatment and rehabilitation services for workers with substance abuse problems.

As part of their negotiations for the current standard agreement, the unions and employers agreed to develop such a policy which would apply to all union construction workers in BC. It is believed to be the only such industry-wide agreement in Canada.

Under the policy, testing can be done on employees who are involved in workplace accidents or near-misses, and when there is reasonable suspicion of impairment on the job. Employees may also be subject to testing required by clients or project owners prior to starting work on a new project, but the policy has a voluntary testing option under which workers can be excused from such pre-access testing.. [click for more]

Construction Industry of British Columbia Substance Abuse Testing and Treatment Program Policy

June 28, 2006
Building Trades Unions reach unprecedented agreement in bargaining with construction industry
BC’s Building Trades Unions have reached tentative collective agreements with Construction Labour Relations Association which will produce labour stability and cost certainty through the end of the Olympics in 2010... [click for more]

Backgrounder
The context of Building Trades bargaining in BC
Bargaining in BC’s construction industry occurs between two organizations; Construction Labour Relations Association which represents the construction contractors who have signed collective agreements, and the Bargaining Council of British Columbia Building Trades Unions representing the 14 construction craft unions.... [click for more]