THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006

VANCOUVER – The union representing foreign tunnel workers on the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit Canada Line has filed unfair labour practice charges against their employer, alleging intimidation and other tactics are being used to defeat a strike vote.

As a result, the Labourers Union Local 1611 have postponed a strike vote scheduled for Friday and Saturday that could have led to a strike as early as next Thursday.

“The SELI Canada/SNC Lavalin joint venture is using the worst sort of intimidation tactics against our members and we expect the Labour Relations Board to rule strongly in our favour,” said Mark Olsen, business manager for the union. “Managers told the tunnel workers that they would pull out of building the rapid transit line if they voted for a strike, they brought new workers into the bargaining unit to defeat the strike vote and they bought a truckload of appliances for the workers.”

“The Labour Code is very clear about employer interference in a strike vote situation and the actions of the SELI Canada/SNC Lavalin joint venture are completely outrageous,” Olsen said. “These intimidation tactics will only strengthen the determination of our members to win a fair first contract.”

Wayne Peppard, Executive Director of the British Columbia and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council (BCYT), said the mistreatment of foreign workers is rapidly escalating into a major problem for the BC labour movement.

“We have RAV line workers being exploited, we have contractors on the Golden Ears Bridge project getting permission to bring in 347 foreign workers for a job where ironworkers are available and now we have violations of the Labour Code to defeat a strike vote – this is unacceptable behaviour by employers and we will put a stop to it,” Peppard said.

For more information: Call Mark Olsen, Labourers 1611, at cell 604-341-1799 or 604-432-9300 or Wayne Peppard, BCYT at cell 778-388-0014 or 604-2919020 or Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications, at cell 778-896-0964 or 604-844-7827.

cope 15

For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

cope 15