CLR
Construction Labour Relations Association		   BCBCBTU
Bargaining Council of British Columbia Building Trades Unions

Joint News Release

Wednesday, 28 June 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.

Representatives of the more than 35,000 members of BC’s 14 construction trade unions met today to decide on a ratification process which will involve membership votes by each of the unions over the coming weeks. Details of the settlements will not be released prior to the ratification votes.

“These agreements are unprecedented in duration and scope,” said Mark Olsen of the Labourers Union who chairs the Bargaining Council of BC Building Trades Unions. “In effect, these agreements cover all trades from the conclusion of the last agreement right through to April 30, 2010. This agreement will give our contractors cost certainty regarding wage rates for highly skilled workers in the union sector right through the Olympics. That kind of certainty is not available in the non-union sector,” said Olsen.

On behalf of CLRA which represents more than 300 member companies, President Bob Morrison said “Despite the length of time it took to reach these agreements, we think there was considerable good will on both sides of these talks. All parties recognized that there were 21st Century issues that needed to be dealt with in order for both companies and unions to cooperatively meet British Columbia’s urgent construction needs.”

The agreements cover wages, benefits, holidays, hours or work, pensions, safety provisions, travel and other conditions under which unionized building tradespeople work.

Olsen said the 14 building trades unions will now organize ratification votes among their members. Those votes are to be completed by mid-August.

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For further Information, contact:

Mark Olsen, Chairman, Building Trade Unions, 604-291-9020

Bob Morrison, President, CLR, 604-524-4911