FTQ-Construction and CEP create Canadian Construction Unions Council to speed up recruitment, promote labour mobility, and support job stability

MONTREAL, June 12, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - FTQ-Construction and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP-FTQ) are proposing a new Canada-wide entity to their members: the Canadian Construction Unions Council (CCUC). The new organization will allow recruitment of members across Canada in periods of labour shortages to promote mobility and subsequently increase job stability. The final proposal was approved today by leaders of both labour organizations. The Council could start its activities in the coming months, provided the proposal is approved by members of FTQ-Construction.

The Canadian Construction Unions Council (CCUC) will be the largest group of unions in the country within the construction sector, representing 80,000 workers. It will not only become a major actor on all large construction sites in Canada but also promote sharing best practices between workers of various provinces, as well as labour mobility in times of shortages, with priority to local workers.

"Activity in the Canadian construction industry labour market is keeping a good pace, but each province or territory will continue to experience slowdown periods. That is why, in order to counter the effect of labour shortages, the two labour organizations want to offer greater mobility to their members and thus contribute to full-time employment," said FTQ-Construction President Arnold Guérin. In Québec, the average number of hours worked in construction is only 900 while 1,800 would be required for the equivalent of a full-time job.

"It will be easier for our members to work anywhere in Canada during slack periods. This increases job security, which in turn allows to maintain a better quality of life by protecting earned income," said Yves Ouellet, FTQ-Construction General Manager.

"CEP is proud to join with FTQ-Construction to improve working conditions within the construction industry throughout Canada", added CEP National President Dave Coles.

The new Canada-wide entity will have an overall vision of the construction industry from coast to coast. "The CCUC is an innovative project that will directly benefit all workers by offering multiple job opportunities," explained Coles.

The CCUC will be the first Canada-wide construction union organization with no ties to the United States. When FTQ-Construction was created in 1980, its affiliated unions had closed the door to American unions in Canada. "Our independence allows us to make sure that our dues and our actions serve members here rather than foreign interests", added the union spokesmen.

The proposed agreement between FTQ-Construction and CEP is available at: http://scr.bi/canadiancouncil

About FTQ-Construction
FTQ-Construction is an association of 17 unions representing over 70,000 construction workers. With a representation rate of nearly 44%, it is the largest labour organization within the construction industry in Québec. www.ftqconstruction.org

About CEP
CEP is one of the largest private sector unions. It represents more than 120,000 members working in various industries including communications and telecommunications, energy, forestry and paper, and is affiliated to the largest central union body.