Political Action and News

   

2009 Political Issues- What we are Doing in 2009

Bill 183/ College of Trades Info

WSIB

City of Toronto

City of Hamilton

 

 

July 22 2010 - Hamilton ready to work with all general contractors, union-affiliated or not > Vince Versace, Daily Commercial News

All general contractors, whether affiliated or not with Hamilton’s local carpenters union, can now bid on the city’s industrial and commercial projects. "We are happy with this outcome and think it is about time that the city tried to level the playing field," said Manuel Bastos, business manager of LIUNA Local 837. read more.

 

July 10 2010 - Loophole expected to save city millions > Vince Versace, Daily Commercial News

The city has found a legal loophole that will save millions of dollars by allowing it to hire contractors who aren't affiliated with the carpenters union. Since 2005, only contractors who are signatory to the carpenters' union have been allowed to bid on city construction jobs. City staff have argued this deal costs the city $4 million to $10 million each year. read more.

 

April 23 2010 - Growth a top priority for Merit OpenShop Contractors Association of Ontario > Vince Versace, Daily Commercial News

The growth of Merit OpenShop Contractors Association of Ontario‟s footprint across the province will be strengthened by its education efforts, says its new chair. "Our voices have not been heard very clearly for a long time. We want to educate buyers of construction about fair and open tendering practices," said Domenic Mattina, chair of MERIT. read more.

 

April 1 2010 - Merit OpenShop Contractors Association of Ontario backs PC leader Hudak > Vince Versace, Daily Commercial News

Claims by the Ontario building trades that Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak is "yesterday’s man" are being strongly refuted by the province’s open shop community. Hudak recently unveiled a platform with 10 initiatives described as "practical, affordable and achievable ideas" that he says will create jobs and economic growth in Ontario.

 

March 31 2010 - City forced to turn away contractors > Emma Reilly, The Hamilton Spectator

The city has disqualified four out of seven bids for a multimillion-dollar construction contract because the bidders weren't affiliated with the carpenters' union. read more

 

February 16 2010 - Ontario Electrical League accuses safety councils of union bias > Vince Versace, Daily Commercial News

The terms of reference for new Infrastructure Health and Safety Association advisory councils contain a union bias in worker representation, states the Ontario Electrical League (OEL).

"At the end of the day, worker safety is critical regardless of affiliation or lack thereof — why would we need to exclude non-union and separate open shop and closed shop unions in these discussions" asks Mary Ingram, OEL president. read more.

 

February 9 2010 - Ontario Businesses Scramble to Ready for Arrival of HST > Ian Harvey, Daily Commercial News

With less than six months to go, business across Ontario are scrambling to get their accounting and billing systems ready to deal with the implementation of the harmonized sales tax.

Love it or hate it, Craig Robertson of consulting firm Deloitte and Touche told a seminar at the Toronto Construction Association, it’s a done deal.

For construction companies and their clients there isn’t a massive change that they will have to deal with, he said, since the GST is already programmed in and in most cases the eight per cent provincial retail sales tax is also payable. read more

 

December 14 2009 - Beware, Labour Lawyer Warns Contractors Working for Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power > Greg McGinnis, Partner, Heenan Blaikie LLP

Non-union contractors who decide to perform work for Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power should do so with their eyes open. They could end up with a union not just for the "electric power systems" work, but for ICI construction across Ontario.

Given the high labour rates and benefits contained in the ICI provincial agreements, this could result in significant business challenges for mid-sized trade and general contractors, particularly in the current economic environment. read more.

 

October 23 2009 - Government ’severely tilted’ against our interests: OpenShop Contractors Association > Daily Commercial News

Recent changes at the top of the Merit OpenShop Contractors Association of Ontario are designed to increase its reach within government, says the association’s new president.

“We perceive a need to do so because the present government is severely tilted against the interests of OpenShop contractors,” said David McDonald, president and government relations representative, MOCAO. read more

 

 

November 9 2009 - Self-Employed Workers Now Eligible for some E.I. Benefits > Journal of Commerce

The open shop construction industry in B.C. is praising the federal government’s move to extend employment insurance benefits to the self-employed, but unions aren’t happy about these changes.

“Many independent contractors work as owner operators, from truckers to drywallers to painters, and with these challenging economic times, the extra security offered with extending EI special benefits is welcome,” said Philip Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA)... read more

 

September 30 2009 - Apprenticeship: It Works! > Canadian Apprenticeship Forum

Apprenticeship training is a well established and valuable form of postsecondary education that has existed for generations. It is comprised of onthejob training and technical training designed to enhance business performance in terms of productivity, improved health and safety at the workplace, and the bottom line. Success in apprenticeship can lead to... read more

 

September 3 2009 - Best Canadian Labour Markets Found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC; Ontario and Quebec Flounder > Report from the Fraser Institute

Alberta had the best performing labour market in North America between 2004 and 2008, the most recent years for which data are available, according to a new study released today by independent research organization the Fraser Institute. Saskatchewan was the second-best labour market in Canada, ranked eighth in North America, with British Columbia finishing third in Canada and ninth among all 10 provinces and 50 U.S. states. "During the period measured, Alberta experienced high private sector employment growth, low duration of unemployment, and high labour productivity, resulting in the best labour market performance in Canada and the United States," said Niels Veldhuis, Fraser Institute senior economist and co-author of the study... read more

 

 

March 1 2010 - Nova Scotia NDP Fined for Taking Union Cash > Daily Commerical News

Nova Scotia’s ruling New Democratic Party has been fined $10,000 for accepting an illegal election campaign contribution from a trade union group.

Christine McCulloch, the province’s chief electoral officer, issued a statement recently saying Halifax police have been asked to determine if an investigation is warranted.

Complaints were filed with McCulloch’s office last June when it was revealed the Mainland Nova Scotia Building and Construction Trades Council had reimbursed nine separate unions after each donated $5,000 to the NDP... read more.

 

 

June 29 2009 - Freedom of Information Court Appeal Nova Scotia Decision > Merit Contractors of Nova Scotia  

In 2003, a business representative and union organizer for the IBEW, made application under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FOIPOP Act") in Nova Scotia for a list of names of electricians and apprentice electricians held by the Department of Education. A group of unnamed electricians concerned about privacy and disclosure of personal information by the Department to a union organizer became involved in an appeal process... read more.