The Manitoba government is planning to lift a ban on project labour agreements brought in by the former Tory government.
In a media release Wednesday (Mar 6), Premier Wab Kinew said “Workers are the backbone of our economy. They built our province, from hydro to health care to highways. But the previous government stripped away their rights and made it harder for Manitoba workers and communities to see the full benefits of public projects. We’re taking a different approach by bringing back the use of project labour agreements to make sure there are more good jobs for Manitobans.”
Project labour agreements are agreed upon between the developer of a specific construction project and the various trade unions that will perform the construction work. They typically govern all working conditions for the project including wages, benefits and working hours, and can be a useful tool to stabilize the workforce and wages, address safety, prevent work stoppages and reduce the risk of disruptions, noted the minister.
Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino said “We are ensuring that every public project benefits working Manitobans, contractors and communities. It is time that workers across Manitoba are a part of, and benefit from, projects that build up our province.”
Bill 7, the public sector construction projects (tendering) repeal act, eliminates the previous government decision to prevent the provincial public sector from engaging in tendering practices requiring or favouring a specific labour relations model. The act would bring back the option to require unionized workers as a condition of a tender or project labour agreement. However, it does not mean all tenders will require unionization, noted the minister.
“Manitoba Building Trades has been looking out for skilled trades workers in our province for over a century,” said Tanya Palson, executive director, Manitoba Building Trades. “Repealing the ban on project labour agreements not only opens the door for Manitoba to maximize the workforce development benefits that can be pulled from investing public dollars into infrastructure but is a great first step by this government to bring the province into closer alignment with governments across North America.”
In banning project labour agreements, the previous Progressive Conservative government said they drive up costs and discouraged non-union contractors from bidding for work.
