Thursday, February 26, 2026 The Courage to Collaborate What some mistake for weakness is actually the power to build something better Ontario Construction By Ian DeWaard, Manitoba and Ontario Director The toughest negotiators I’ve known don’t usually pound the table, throw chairs, or storm out of the room when an impasse is reached. But the world we live in often confuses volume with strength and mistakes bravado for courage. In my time at CLAC, I’ve encountered many negotiators (both employer and union side) who carry on as if tough-guy talk and outrageous outbursts are the surest path to victory. When labour relations are carried on in this kind of way, it reveals a lot about the person (or the organization). An overly combative approach to deal-making leads to zero-sum bargaining and a winner-take-all approach to every conflict. Pioneering a Better Way CLAC has been pioneering a better way to solve age-old labour problems for nearly 75 years. It’s an approach that aims for just conditions, mutual respect, and shared gains, underscored by a belief that work can be good and that all people deserve dignified treatment. When put succinctly, CLAC’s principles are described as valuing respect and cooperation. With those beliefs serving as our north star, we work hard to establish collaboration as the norm for the workplace. In response, critics accuse CLAC of being soft. To them, the workplace is merely a contest between owners and workers trying to maximize earnings. When labour-management relations are reduced to this type of contest, a battleground mentality is the response and conflict the only path to victory. But living in a war zone is not a sustainable state for most of us. Humans don’t thrive in a constant state of distress. Collaboration, by contrast, demands discipline and the courage to be accountable, while also holding others to account. It is the best route to durable agreements and healthier workplaces. 5 Ways Collaboration Builds Stronger Workplaces 1. Collaboration gives work purpose. CLAC sees work as more than a transaction. Work is purposeful. It allows us to contribute something meaningful, whether that’s caring for a patient or building a bridge. It lets us support our families, grow our skills, and exercise creativity. Collaboration connects our efforts to shared goals, turning everyday tasks into meaningful purpose. 2. Collaboration builds trust and community. Healthy communities run on trust, built through consistent, transparent behaviour. When collaboration guides relationships, trust grows, communication improves, and conflict gives way to teamwork. 3. Collaboration gives workers a voice. Workers should never be bystanders in their own livelihoods. Collaboration allows workers to shape the decisions that affect their jobs, ensuring everyone has a stake in success. 4. Collaboration takes courage, not capitulation. Being collaborative doesn’t mean lowering standards or avoiding confrontation. It means being firm on essentials such as a living wage, safety, and just treatment while remaining open and creative about how to achieve them. 5. Collaboration delivers real results. When collaboration shapes collective agreements, outcomes improve across the board: Clearer contract language reduces the number of grievances and misunderstandings. Joint committees that identify and address hazards early create safer workplaces. Collective agreements that reflect people’s real lives encourage higher retention and stronger commitment. Agreements designed with flexibility adapt more easily to change and prevent unnecessary conflict. Shared productivity gains contribute to stronger total compensation for everyone involved. The Path to Something Better Collaboration, as CLAC practices it, is not a slogan or a mood. It’s a disciplined method grounded in purpose, community, and shared accountability. When we start from the view that work is meaningful, that workplaces are communities, and that people have the right and responsibility to shape the decisions that affect them, collaboration is the path to something better. Collaboration may not always be the fastest, but it will always get us farther. And it should never be mistaken for weakness. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026