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overall success of the industry. The relationship 25 construction trades and negotiate Collective
is also highly affected by market trends, and Agreements with Employer Bargaining Agents.
much like the broader economy, demand in our Those Collective Agreements explicitly define
industry fluctuates in cycles that are determined the wages, schedules, working conditions and
by a complex mix of public and private investment other rights and responsibilities assigned to
decisions that finance construction projects, workers and employers, including mechanisms
large and small. The Building Trades’ relationship to address grievances in the workplace. Building
with employers is characterized by a degree of Trades workers benefit greatly by having Collective
cooperation and partnership but at times, it can Agreements in-place because employers are
become adversarial. Regardless of particular less likely to engage in exploitative workplace
practices, knowing that consequences may be
“Beyond the purely transactional incurred if that were to happen. In practical terms,
aspect of the labour market, there collective bargaining deters employers from abusing
is a social responsibility dimension workers, and is a hallmark of Canada’s status as an
to all workplaces whereby advanced economy. Moreover, collective bargaining
employees ought to be treated is enshrined as a fundamental right under Canada’s
fairly by their employers.” Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is protected by
legislation.
negotiating dynamics in any given discipline of the
construction sector, the principal driving force that
guides the Building Trades’ approach to collective
bargaining is a stalwart commitment to fairness for
construction workers.
With respect to the practical application of collective
bargaining, it is important to note that there are Making an impact
seven bargaining sectors recognized by the Ontario in Ontario
Labour Relations Act, with the largest one being We are thoughtfully investing in Ontario and the future
of Canadians. With extensive construction projects across
the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) the province, over $3.5 million raised for trades training
across Canada, and a diversified pension-funded real
sector. Within ICI, collective bargaining unfolds estate portfolio that provides quality jobs and consistent
returns—we are building a sustainable, people-first future.
every three years and is conducted by Employee Canadian owned and operated for over 30 years.
Bargaining Agents who hold bargaining rights for
ConcertProperties.com
APRIL 2021 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA 25
