[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”intro-text” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]The Building Trades of Alberta calls for more stringent oversight of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”30px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_imageframe image_id=”5370″ max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”center” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]http://bta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/BTA-default-news-release.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”30px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]Recent abuses of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program have raised concerns among Albertans. The Building Trades of Alberta supports strict adherence to the rules of the Temporary Foreign Worker program as an essential plank in Alberta’s economic growth – while insisting on the protection of Canadians’ jobs. We, together with our signatory contractors, fully support the principal that every available and qualified Canadian should be given the first opportunity and access to Canadian jobs before any consideration is given to access or procure foreign workers. Secondly, we recognize that we must continue to work hard to bring young Canadians and under employed Canadians into the Building Trades, in order to grow and secure a local Canadian workforce of the future. We have a collective obligation as leaders of the unionized construction sector, to ensure there are ample apprenticeship opportunities available in the trades, for young Canadians and others such as Aboriginal Canadians, women and veterans. While some progress is being made on this longer term solution a more deliberate and intentional effort to create these opportunities must be demonstrated, by the owners and contractors that utilize the services of our tradespersons. It’s important to recognize, however, the economic effects of skilled trades’ shortages in Alberta. That is why, over the last several years the BTA, our member unions and contractor/owner partners have used the TFW Program for acute periodic shortages in specific skilled trades. We have ensured strict adherence and compliance with all of the rules and protocols specified in the TFW Program Memorandum of Understanding. Specifically, that means ensuring effective methods are in place to advertise and promote Alberta job opportunities to all qualified Canadians. It also means ensuring all workers brought in through our programs are treated with the utmost dignity and respect and are compensated in accordance with the identical terms and conditions of the effective collective agreements received by our members. More recent events in Alberta and other parts of Canada have highlighted and identified the misuse and abuse of the TFW Program by industries and parties not affiliated with Building Trades construction stakeholders. In these cases we are actively advocating to the appropriate government representatives, both federally and provincially, that the abusers are held accountable and dealt with accordingly. We understand and recognize that these recent abuses have garnered the frustration and suspicion amongst the individual members of the Building Trades Unions to the point where some have chosen to take independent actions to protest their lack of faith in the system. While we are respectful of these views and opinions, we will continue to support the necessary and proper utilization of the TFW Program when appropriate. We will also continue our efforts to lobby the responsible government agencies and advocate for more stringent oversight and compliance with the objectives and intent of the TFW Program. This statement has been prepared by the Building Trades of Alberta, on behalf of the Business Managers of the affiliated Building Trades Local Unions.

For more information contact:

Warren Fraleigh Executive Director 11635 – 160th Street Edmonton, Alberta, T5M 3Z3 T: 780.421.9400 C: 780-887-3433 E: wfraleigh@buildingtradesalberta.ca
REPRESENTING THE FOLLOWING AFFILIATES:

• BOILERMAKERS Lodge 146
• BRICKLAYERS Local 1
• BRICKLAYERS Local 2
• CARPENTERS Local 1325
• CARPENTERS Local 2103
• CONSTRUCTION & GENERAL WORKERS Local 92
• CONSTRUCTION & SPECIALIZED WORKERS Local 1111
• ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS Local 122
• ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS Local 130
• IBEW Local 424
• INSULATORS Local 725
• MILLWRIGHTS Local 1460
• OPERATING ENGINEERS Local 955
• PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES Local 177
• PLASTERERS & CEMENT MASONS Local 222
• SHEET METAL WORKERS Local 8
• TEAMSTERS Local 362
• UNITE HERE CULINARY WORKERS Local 47
• UNITED ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS Local 488
• UNITED ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS Local 496

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