This release was issued under a previous government.
The recommendations are the result of a review by Andrew Sims, Q.C., a well-respected labour lawyer and adjudicator. Sims spent a year meeting with contractors, unions and project owners to examine how changes within the construction industry over the past 25 years might be better recognized in Alberta’s current legislation.
“Mr. Sims has done an excellent job reviewing all sides of this complex issue, and has provided a number of recommendations for improvements. These changes are designed to maintain a balance between the needs of industry and labour and will create an atmosphere of stability for years to come.”
“Alberta’s construction labour relations have worked well, achieving unprecedented volumes of construction work with little labour unrest compared to any other Canadian jurisdiction. Stability, predictability and balance are essential to continued success. These recommendations, made after wide consultation, will update these systems to reflect changes within the industry, adding clarity where needed, while maintaining those features that have made it successful over time.”
Recommended approach from the Sims Report:
- Major Projects under the Labour Relations Code - Require all collective agreements to include provisions for ‘major project’ agreements. Disputes regarding the terms of a major project agreement would be resolved through binding arbitration rather than a strike or lockout.
- All-employee or multi-trade bargaining units - Confirm that all-employee, multi-trade bargaining units can be appropriate in certain cases, while maintaining the ability for employees to choose traditional single-trade units.
- Scope of construction registration bargaining system - Protect local unions by requiring international or parent unions to adhere to hourly rates and other terms of existing collective agreements.
- ‘Build-Up’ Principle - Direct the Alberta Labour Relations Board (LRB) to re-evaluate its process for certifying unions based on their anticipated size.
- Major transmission line construction - Direct the LRB to examine whether major electrical transmission lines should be placed in the ‘specialty construction section’ for purposes of bargaining.
- Stakeholder dialogue - Implement regular meetings among industry, labour and government to improve understanding of issues and provide an opportunity for open dialogue.
Updating Alberta’s construction industry labour relations system will set the stage for a healthy and vibrant construction sector and a continuation of the province’s excellent record of labour peace.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.
Listen: News conference with Minister Lukaszuk and report author Andrew Sims, Q.C.