Quebec labour minister tables reform of construction industry
On Thursday, Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet finally tabled his reform aimed at modernizing the construction industry, which has raised hopes among employers and caused gnashing of teeth among the unions.
As expected, the reform addresses the delicate issues of workers' inter-regional mobility and the sharing of tasks between certain trades.
To get the unions on board, the reform gives them the right to retroactive pay rises by allowing them to negotiate retroactive adjustments.
This has been a union demand for several years.
At present, when the parties negotiate the renewal of collective agreements in the construction industry and reach an agreement, the increases agreed are not retroactive to the expiry of the previous agreement, as is the case in other sectors. The bill will change that.
The reform provides for the creation of a "retroactive pay fund" for this purpose.
Mobility between regions
The issue of the inter-regional movement of workers was raised during the Charbonneau Commission hearings as a source of tension.
Workers in the Côte-Nord, for example, were seeing people from other regions arriving while, at the same time, they were unable to find jobs.
Under the current regional hiring priority rules, an employer who gets a job in a region other than his own can take a limited number of his workers there.
They must also hire workers local to the region where they won the contract.
Boulet has indicated that as of May 1, 2025, employers and unions will be prohibited from agreeing to clauses limiting employee mobility or employers' freedom to hire in this regard.
Quebec's aim is to make it easier to carry out projects in the energy and wind power sectors.
Breaking down barriers between trades
The reform also addresses another contentious issue: the decompartmentalization of trades.
This has been a demand from employers for several years, saying they feel that the professions are too "compartmentalized."
The regulations will be amended to establish conditions under which the principle of multi-skilling certain workers can be implemented by setting out the work and trades that may not be subject to task-sharing for safety reasons.
The reform also aims to promote access to the industry for people who are under-represented, such as visible minorities, Indigenous people, immigrants and people with disabilities.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 1, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
'More aggressive': Tocchet shifts lineups as Canucks get ready to take on Oilers in Vancouver
As the Canucks prepare to take on the Oilers for Game 5, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet is making changes to the team's lineup.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.