Monday, October 6, 2025

Coffee on the Job

How a simple cup brings construction workers together

By Kristy-Lee Shepherd, CLAC Jobs Coordinator – West

One morning, on my regular route past a CLAC highway expansion project, I spotted a group of workers. One fella was sipping from his red Tim’s cup with both eyes closed, indulging in his morning moment.

As a coffee lover myself, and someone who is serious about my caffeine intake, I was instantly looking forward to my first sip of the day.

He didn’t know it, but that worker and I were bonding.

On construction sites across Canada, coffee is a daily tradition that’s almost as important as putting on a hardhat. Whether it’s a steaming thermos pulled from the cab of a pick-up truck, a stop at the Tim’s drive-thru on the way to site, or a shared pot brewing in the trailer—coffee runs through the work culture. But it’s not just about caffeine, it’s about connection.

More than just a drink

For construction workers, early mornings and long shifts are part of the job. A hot cup of coffee is many things: it fuels the body, it signals a moment of pause, it’s about waking up, and the act of gearing up alongside your crew for the day ahead.

Like many, my first cup of coffee is essential for a mood boost, increased vocabulary, and flowing sentences. My second is a hug in a mug. All feels good in the world and I’m ready to chat with colleagues at the coffee spot. Regardless of the topic—the size of mug, preferred styles of “mug handles” for comfortable sipping (yes, this is a thing), or the need to order more hazelnut flavour—connecting with colleagues over coffee is one of my “roses” of the day.

You might be able to guess my “thorn.” If you didn’t, it’s a very sad, empty mug.

Coffee becomes a touchpoint, a shared routine. The act of sitting or standing together for a few minutes to sip and chat creates space for relationships to form. Conversation about the day’s tasks blend with jokes, family updates, or stories from past projects. And in an industry where teamwork and trust are essential, these small connections build strong crews.

The coffee run tradition

Almost every crew has someone who volunteers, or gets “voluntold,” to do the coffee run. Maybe it’s the apprentice eager to make a good impression, or the seasoned worker who knows everyone’s order by heart. Those runs are more than deliveries: they’re acts of looking out for each other.

A cup of community

Coffee, or how it’s contained, doesn’t need to be extravagant. It is simply a ritual, often best enjoyed in the company of others—yet it represents something much deeper: community.

In the same way, being part of CLAC is not about big or flashy moments, but about everyday solidarity: sharing the small things, standing together, and building a workplace where respect, fairness, and support are as natural as gathering for a coffee break.

So, the next time you take that first sip or see a crew with their coffees in hand, know that it’s more than just a hot beverage—it’s a reminder of the community we’re building through CLAC.

One cup at a time.

We invite you to grab a coffee, visit your nearest member centre, and take the opportunity to explore the many ways CLAC is here to serve and support you.

Coffee on the Job

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