CLAC Members to Build Major Ontario Tunnel Project

DATE: August 19, 2011

Mississauga, ON—Strabag Inc., whose employees are represented by Construction Workers Local 52, has been awarded the contract for construction of the Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer (SeC) project that will serve York and Durham regions.

At its peak, the $300 million, forty-two month project will employ over 300 Local 52 skilled labourers, heavy equipment operators, crane operators, electricians, and forepersons. Members will be building a 3.5 metre diameter, 15-kilometre concrete-lined sewer tunnel. Sixteen shafts will be constructed to facilitate the tunnel, and four tunnel-boring machines will be at work simultaneously. The project is scheduled to begin ramp up in October 2011.

“Having another trade union working on major projects in the province is good for both workers and taxpayers,” says Andrew Regnerus, CLAC’s Ontario construction coordinator. “Our common sense, partnership approach to labour relations is attracting more and more workers and helps ensure that projects are done safely, on time, and on budget.”

The collective agreement negotiated with Strabag provides hourly rates of $37 for forepersons, $35 for electricians, and $39 for heavy crane operators. By the end of the agreement, the high-end of the total package compensation rates will reach almost $56 per hour.

The contract includes employer contributions to the CLAC Pension Plan and a best-in-class health benefits program. Increases to wages, pension, health, and other funds for 2012 and 2013 have been negotiated.

“Our members are excited about the opportunity to work on this major project,” says Stephen Bromell, Ontario representative. “They’ll be making top wages with excellent benefits and steady employment for the next three years or so.”

Strabag Inc. is a subsidiary of Strabag SB, a European construction company based in Vienna that is active around the world. It is the largest construction company in Austria. Strabag is best known in Canada for tunnelling under Niagara Falls to add hydroelectric capacity.