May 11, 2010
Conference
Open shop cries foul over exclusion of non-union workers on stimulus projects
KELOWNA, B.C.
The open shop construction sector in Canada is disappointed that non-union workers are being excluded from projects funded by the federal stimulus package.
“We think that when the federal government contributes to a provincial or municipal project, that their rules should state those projects have to be open to bid on, and to work on, by all Canadians that are capable and qualified, regardless of whether they are in a union or not,” said Philip Hochstein during last weekend’s international Open Shop Construction Conference in Kelowna, B.C.
The centre piece of the Conservative government’s federal stimulus package is $11.8 billion in new infrastructure spending.
The 2009 and 2010 federal budgets are designed to create jobs in construction and stimulate the economy.
Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of B.C., said this public sector investment only benefits union workers and contractors, while his workers are shut out.
According to ICBA, the open shop sector is responsible for 85 per cent of the construction work in British Columbia.
Merit Alberta maintains that the open shop sector constitutes about 80 per cent of the province’s construction industry.
Nationally, more than 70 per cent of the construction workforce is employed in the open shop sector.
“Since all taxpayers are paying for these projects, we don’t believe the federal government should allow this to happen,” he said. “If you are going to take federal government money then the tendering has to be open to everybody.”
Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Stockwell Day, who delivered the keynote speech at the open shop conference, said federal policy does not discriminate against non-unionized workers.
“This is news to me that the federal government has a policy of excluding independent contractors,” said Day, who is the president of the Treasury Board and minister for the Asia Pacific Gateway.
“Our policy is for open, fair and equitable bidding. If you have any cases bring them to me. Let me know. I would like to have a look at it.”
Day also said the federal government does not control the construction procurement process at the provincial and municipal levels.
“I think Stockwell Day has a better appreciation of it now and will do some enquiries back home,” said Hochstein.
An open shop is a place of employment at which one is not required to join or financially support a union as a condition of hiring or continued employment.
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