PRINCE GEORGE, BC, April 15, 2014 /CNW/ - A Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) announced today between Northern Gateway Pipelines and trade
unions representing pipeline construction workers ensures that workers
and their families benefit from the project with good jobs, good
paycheques, and training opportunities.
The signed MOU guarantees a minimum target of approximately 2,100 person
years of employment of union labour on the project. These targets will
be established in detailed Project Labour Agreements.
The MOU also ensures that the Project Labour Agreements include
guarantees consistent with Northern Gateway's publically-stated
commitments to local business opportunities, high-quality workmanship,
worker and public safety, and environmental protection. And it
complements existing agreements with Aboriginal communities
guaranteeing employment and training opportunities.
The trade union signatories to the MOU with Northern Gateway and the
Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) are as follows:
-
The Laborers' International Union of North America;
-
The International Union of Operating Engineers;
-
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and,
-
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and
Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
"As proud trade union members representing tens of thousands of
hard-working Canadians, we believe that Northern Gateway will benefit
working families. It will create thousands of well-paying jobs and
training opportunities we need to build strong communities," said
Lionel Railton, Acting Canadian Regional Director, International Union
of Operating Engineers.
"Northern Gateway has been through the most-rigorous environmental
review of its kind in Canadian history and it will create thousands of
good jobs," said Roy Finley, Construction Director, Teamsters Canada,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "The MOU we've signed builds
on that review and our shared objective to construct this project with
the best workforce in the world."
"Our Union Contractors and members know how to build pipelines to the
highest safety and environmental standards anywhere in the world," said
Rob Kinsey, U.A. International Representative - Western Canada and
Mainline/Maintenance Pipeline for Canada, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and
Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. "We get the job
done, we get the job done right, and have been doing it for
generations. And just as importantly, we create a lasting economic,
social and environmental legacy for communities and children to build
on."
"Northern Gateway is in Canada's national interest, securing our energy
future and our economy for generations to come," said Greg Harris,
Sub-Regional Manager, Laborers' International Union of North America.
"Opening up new markets for our most valuable commodity will provide
additional resources to invest in vital social programs, like health
and education that make our country strong."
Northern Gateway Leader, Janet Holder, said the MOU builds on Northern
Gateway's commitment to build a safer, better pipeline that supports
our commitment to first maximize local employment and then regional and
national employment. "Canada's building trade unions represent the best
workforces anywhere in the world," said Holder. "This MOU enables
Northern Gateway, PLCAC Contractors and the Building Trade Unions to
collaboratively plan for project success through the full benefit of
their skills, professionalism and commitment to build stronger
communities - goals we share."
SOURCE Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada
