MONDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2005

Vancouver… With time running on construction deadlines for 2010 Olympic facilities, Building Trades leaders have called on VANOC to deliver a plan of action for construction of venues. The unions say that with construction ready to start, there is still no plan on how to deal with labour costs, training, skills shortages, equity employment opportunities, job safety and other legacies from the construction stage of 2010 Olympic preparations.

“We have been in talks with VANOC since early last year. In December, John Furlong suggested there should be an agreement with labour on the principles of cooperation within a few months. We welcomed this announcement, however, as much as they have been receptive VANOC has not been responsive” said Wayne Peppard, Executive Director of the Building and Construction Trades Council.

As a result of pressures, on February 5th VANOC agreed to another meeting to discuss how to achieve a collaborative labour accord. “We are hopeful this meeting will lead us closer to an agreement which will ensure lasting legacies for Olympic construction” according to the President of the Building Trades Council, Gary Kroeker. “Workers must be qualified to national ‘Red Seal’ standards and apprenticeship ratios must be set to ensure that apprentices are required to complete their journey-level qualifications on a timely basis,” Kroeker said. “The public needs to know that there is a tendering process for all venue projects that is transparent and fair. It must set benchmarks for training, equity hiring, and safety in order to deliver the highest quality product on time and on budget” Kroeker added.

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The Building Trades have offered an opportunity to provide an assured pool of skilled labour and the ability to control wage increases. Without an agreement, qualified workers bid up their services, increasing the costs of construction. “Stability for construction budgets and timely completion can only be achieved through an agreement that sets out obligations and responsibilities for all parties,” Peppard said.

The Building Trades leaders are encouraging VANOC to quickly negotiate an accord with the BC Federation of Labour. An accord will ensure peace and stability for construction, transportation, services and communications.

The IOC Coordination Commission for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games will be in Vancouver in April for its annual meeting and will receive a detailed update on VANOC’s plans. The Building Trades are urging VANOC to have a Labour Accord and Construction Agreement in place before this meeting.

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Contact Wayne Peppard at: (604) 916-0027 or Gary Kroeker at (604) 473-8831

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For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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