FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2004

VANCOUVER… Construction unions have responded to news reports about the rising cost of municipal building projects by pointing to industry instability as the root cause. The city of Vancouver is being asked to budget more than one million more for the new Millennium Sports Facility for Nat Bailey Stadium. The Executive Director of the Building Trades council has called again for the promotion of project labour agreements in order to stabilize the industry.

“What we’re seeing is the tip of the iceberg of a potential skills shortage” according to Peppard. “Without labour contracts in place, wages and related costs will spiral” Peppard said. “In Sydney, Australia the Olympics were built on time and on budget after construction employers and unions collaborated on an overall project labour agreement. Without an agreement the industry will continue to be plagued by instability” Peppard said.

“The skills shortage we’re seeing now is the front edge of a wave that could hit the entire industry in 2008. It’s not too late to turn this around. But the government must act now to bring about changes to the provincial apprenticeship plan. The rest of the country is increasing support for apprentices to make sure that trainees complete their training. In BC we’ve just shut down our last apprenticeship office. We’re headed for disaster unless the government wakes up to the folly of its hands off, deregulated policies” Peppard concluded.

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For further information contact Wayne Peppard at 604-916-0027 (cell).

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For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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