Strike by skilled-trade workers to cause delays for GTA construction projects

Thousands of skilled-trade workers in Ontario are on strike this week causing commercial and residential construction project delays across the Greater Toronto Area.

LIUNA Local 183, which represents 5,000 workers in the framing sector, said talks fell apart this weekend which forced a strike on Monday.

A tentative deal was reached prior to the strike date but was subsequently voted down during ratification.

“We negotiated the best deal that we could. We had an obligation to come to take the final offer. We came to ratification and they turned down the deal,” said LiUNA Local 183 Vice-President Bernardino Ferreira.

Union leaders say wages are the major sticking points as members feel they are not getting paid enough due to the complexity of construction projects nowadays.

The group in negotiations with the workers’ union said it hopes both sides can get back to the bargaining table.

“The Association and our members hope the Union will reconsider its position, given the importance of this Agreement to all parties, as well as members of the public impacted by this strike,” said the Residential Framing Contractor’s Association in an email.

The residential division of Drywall Acoustic Lathing and Insulation Local 675, which represents 2,000 drywall installers, says modern homes are now being built with new materials and technologies that requires additional levels of skills and training.

“It is essential that our compensation reflect both the increased difficulty of the work we are doing, as well as the training we need to get the job done safely and correctly,” said Tony Iannuzzi, President of Local 675.