Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Fall Work Picks Up

New projects and steady work are creating opportunities for members across BC

By Nathan Mathews, BC Director

The leaves may be falling, but work across British Columbia continues to grow. As activity increases and pressure builds at the bargaining table, in workplaces, and on job sites, CLAC is actively protecting members’ interests and delivering strong representation.

Construction Ramps Up
One of the most significant developments is at Teck’s Highland Valley Copper Mine, where Ledcor Industrial Limited has been awarded the greenfield scope of the Mine Life Expansion project. Work is expected to ramp up quickly and could employ up to 250 Local 68 members at peak over the next two years.

In the northeast, road maintenance work between Fort St. John and the Yukon border has transitioned to Ledcor Road Maintenance Ltd. This kind of work may not always make headlines, but it provides steady, reliable employment for members and plays an important role in keeping communities connected.

Overall, construction continues to grow. Local 68 membership has increased by roughly 2,000 since the last report, and there is potential for another 3,000 to 5,000 members to join if upcoming projects move ahead. While some of these projects are still waiting on final approvals, the outlook remains strong, with a clear need for skilled workers.

Other Sectors
Outside of construction, members working in education, healthcare, manufacturing, service, and transportation continue to deal with the day-to-day realities of their workplaces. At Canucks Sports & Entertainment, the focus has been on rebuilding stability after a period of change. Supporting stewards, strengthening communication, and helping the team move forward are key priorities.

CLAC bargaining teams have also secured some strong ratification outcomes. Local 501 members employed by Northcoast Building Products Ltd. ratified a new four-year contract, while those employed by ACT Management Services Inc. reached a one-year agreement in a challenging economic environment.

At Community Living Services, members ratified a new agreement with strong support, with 93 percent voting in favour. This is a multiunion agreement, where several unions bargain together as part of a broader committee. CLAC representatives were more actively engaged at the table during this round, contributing input that was recognized and considered as part of the overall discussions. The result is an agreement that reflects the combined efforts of all unions involved, while also showing stronger representation for CLAC members than in previous rounds.

Standing Up for Fair Access
Engagement with government continues to be a key priority, particularly when it comes to protecting fair access to work. This past quarter, much of that effort has been focused in Victoria around the Fair and Open Tendering Private Member’s Bill. By working closely with industry partners and meeting with elected officials, CLAC has helped build understanding around the importance of open competition and inclusive procurement practices.

These conversations matter. The decisions made at the policy level directly affect where members can work and which contractors can compete for projects. Ensuring CLAC members are not left out of those opportunities remains a central focus.

Looking Ahead
The next few months will be active and provide meaningful opportunities for members. Construction projects are moving steadily through the pipeline and nearing final decisions, while other sectors continue to see strong demand.

At the same time, bargaining pressures, workplace transitions, and evolving policy discussions all require careful attention. For members, the priority remains clear: protecting access to work, supporting fair outcomes, and making sure you have strong, reliable representation wherever you are.

Fall Work Picks Up

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