EDMONTON, AB – The Building Trades of Alberta today expressed its disappointment with the expected reversal of the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, the construction and maintenance of which would’ve provided thousands of unionized working women and men in Alberta, Canada and the United States with years of sorely needed, well-paying jobs.
“While the decision out of Washington D.C. was predicted, the action is still incredibly disappointing and will mean the loss of many union jobs on both sides of the border. These are family-supporting jobs that provide pensionable hours, health and welfare benefits, training and much more,” said Terry Parker, Building Trades of Alberta’s executive director.
Direct pipeline construction employs unionized skilled-tradespersons from Building Trades of Alberta affiliates, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 488, Teamsters Local 362 and Labourers’ International Union of North America Local 92.
Parker adds union employment is not just found in direct pipeline construction. It’s also found in the construction of pumping stations and in the high-quality maintenance of the infrastructure itself, which gives work to many other BTA affiliates. Moreover, when pipeline capacity increases to carry product from the oilsands, more employment is created for union members.
“While this move is a significant blow, moving ahead the Building Trades of Alberta will continue to advocate for projects that put unionized people to work in all industries members operate in, including oil and gas, commercial and residential construction, infrastructure, maintenance, green energy and more.”
The Building Trades of Alberta proudly represents 18 Alberta union locals with more than 60,000 members, province-wide.
The Building Trades of Alberta is:
Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Local 1
Carpenters & Allied Workers Local 1325 and 2103
Construction & General Workers Local 92
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 424
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 122 and 130
Heat & Frost Insulators Local 110
Ironworkers Union Local 720 and 725
Millwrights Local 1460
Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 222
Painters & Allied Trades District Council 17
United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 488 and 496
Sheet Metal Workers Local 8
Teamsters Union Local 362
UNITE HERE! Local 47
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For more information:
Tyler Bedford, BTA director of communications and relations: tbedford@bta.ca
