CSD Construction expresses its bitter disappointment with the adoption of Bill 51, which it considers to be a step towards deregulating the construction industry to the benefit of employers and at the expense of workers.
Listen to CSD Construction’s president Carl Dufour’s interview on the topic (in French):
WORKER RETENTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY
According to the Minister of Labour and employer organizations, this bill is put forward to address labour shortages and increased productivity in the industry. As it stands, Bill 51 aims to make it easier for new workers to enter the industry, but CSD Construction insists that priority should have been given to retaining current workers.
“We won’t solve the labour shortage problem by welcoming plenty of new workers if we do not fix the reasons that push them to leave the industry.” Over the past 10 years, an average of 24,415 people have entered the industry each year, but 35% of these workers—and 54% of women workers—left within 5 years,” explains Carl Dufour, President of CSD Construction.
As part of its recommendations, CSD Construction was proposing the implementation of appropriate support and continuing education measures, including measures for better life-work-study balance tailored to the construction industry and adequate financial support.
REGIONS WILL PAY THE PRICE for increased mobility
CSD Construction is concerned about changes made to mobility clauses. By reducing the minimum number of hours required to benefit from mobility with an employer from 1,500 to 750 hours (and to 400 hours for women and members of visible minorities), this bill sets a dangerous precedent.
“The government and employer associations are using an exceptional labour shortage situation to impose permanent measures. These changes could greatly penalize regional workers once the economic situation returns to normal. Our regions will face a work shortage,” declares Carl Dufour.
SOME GAINS NONETHELESS
Thanks to CSD Construction’s representations, holders of an occupational certificate who have accumulated 4,000 hours will now be able to apply for an apprentice competency certificate without losing their occupation competency certificate.
“This is one of CSD Construction’s long-standing requests. This amendment fixes an issue with the current law and is a step in the right direction for valuing occupations. We still have a long way to go before these occupations are recognized as professions in their own right, and we will continue to push for this,” states Carl Dufour.
The bill’s amendment to ensure that women are referenced first, and not simply included in the “members of visible minorities” category, is in line with requests made by CSD Construction in its representations before the parliamentary committee.
“It was imperative for us to protect women’s access to the industry.” Although Act R-20’s measures have slightly improved the representation of women, much remains to be done. We are pleased for our voice to have been heard on this crucial issue,” adds Carl Dufour.
Lastly, CSD Construction is delighted to see that the law now allows for the negotiation of retroactive pay and benefits. However, the union is disappointed that the Minister of Labour refused to include provisions banning strikebreakers.
“It’s hard to understand why the Minister insists on not banning strikebreakers, as is the case for all other sectors.” The Labour Code already protects this right and will soon also cover employees under federal jurisdiction. The Minister could have fixed one of the things that makes no sense in Act R-20. It’s a missed opportunity,” concludes Carl Dufour.
The Puisqu’il faut se lever team on 98.5 quoted our press release repeatedly. You can hear Minister Boulet respond to it:
