Friday, May 30, 2025

Reasons for Celebration: Members in BC Have Secured New Contracts and New Work

But much remains to be done to secure their future prosperity

By Nathan Mathews, BC Director

CLAC members in BC have a lot to celebrate! In recent months, we’ve made significant progress in collective bargaining, secured new projects, and deepened our community engagement—all important markers of our continued strength and commitment to you.

We are proud to announce a series of collective bargaining wins. Local 68 members employed by Matcon Civil Constructors Inc. ratified their agreement that includes a 12 percent wage increase over three years, upgraded benefits plan, and increased retirement savings. Equally impressive, 89 percent of the 250 members employed by Vitrum Industries Ltd. supported a new agreement that comes with a 15 percent wage increase spread over five years.

Our efforts also bore fruit with Industra Construction Corp., where members not only ratified a new collective agreement but also helped secure certification with CLAC. At Skyway Canada Limited in Kitimat, 94 insulators cast a unanimous vote in favour of a new collective agreement.

Members employed by Nuna Logistics Limited in the Yukon have achieved CLAC certification and a new collective agreement, and those employed by Procon Miners Inc. have secured a new contract at the Ascot Mine. Thanks to fresh funding, 45 members are now engaged on site.

We have also grown in the service industry where Local 501 members employed by two new Executive Hotels voted to join CLAC. Welcome!

Beyond the negotiating table, our work with major construction projects across the province continues to grow. The Burrard-Chilco Partnership, a joint venture involving EBC, is set to launch a six-year, $500-million watermain project in Stanley Park employing critical CLAC labour.

PCL Energy Inc. is getting ready to start work on Fortis Compressor Stations at Coquitlam and Woodfibre, engaging roughly 250 Local 68 members for at least the next two years. And soon, Ledcor Construction Limited will begin a new contract on the Alaska Highway, benefiting 40 members over the coming years.

These victories are indeed reasons for celebration. Yet, we understand that today’s rapidly shifting economic landscape—with constant headlines forecasting downturns and uncertainty—can be deeply unsettling. Many of you are rightly concerned about how unpredictable global markets and fluctuating trade policies might impact your livelihood.

We Stand with You

At CLAC, we want to be absolutely clear: in every circumstance, we stand with you. We are your unwavering advocate, your support system, and your steadfast partner regardless of what challenges the future may hold.

At the heart of CLAC is a deep commitment to care for people. Every member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our work goes far beyond negotiating contracts; we liaise with decision-makers at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels to ensure policies protecting Canadian workers are upheld. By engaging with industry leaders, experts, and government officials, we work to ensure that any economic downturn does not lead to diminished worker protections or sudden job losses.

We are committed to your long term success, whether through innovative train-to-employment initiatives, skills development courses, or partnerships with First Nations and community organizations. These programs not only enhance members’ skills but also solidify the foundation upon which a secure and prosperous future is built.

Reasons for Celebration: Members in BC Have Secured New Contracts and New Work

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