CBAs are a big-time failure in BC
If the NDP government needs another reason to do away with its so-called Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs), this is it. Initially lauded as “landmark” these agreements are now backfiring, big time.
The province pledged that CBAs would provide underrepresented groups with the first crack at training and job opportunities on major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Cowichan District Hospital. Instead, Cowichan Tribes’ workers are being shut out of the project, in their own community, because they do not belong to the government’s favoured Building Trades Unions (BTUs).
These Cowichan Tribes’ workers are among 85% of B.C.’s construction workforce which is barred from building many key public projects because they’ve chosen not to join and pay dues to the BTUs.
This is a terrible, short-sighted piece of public policy. The only way to make it right, is to scrap it.
This letter to the editor was submitted to the Vancouver Sun.
