Overview
The construction industry in B.C. is vibrant and multifaceted. It also faces a range of challenges including job site safety, injury prevention, and the maintenance of a stable, skilled workforce. Aging demographics coupled with a robust projected growth period mean that skilled labour is getting harder to find. Many employers also have to contend with fierce inter-province competition.
In this very competitive environment, employers must also effectively manage grievances, collective bargaining and collective agreements in the union sector, and organize certification applications in the non-union sector.
We have considerable experience in assisting clients with all aspects of workplace law in the construction environment including providing practical and strategic advice, collective bargaining, employer advocacy in arbitrations, hearings and in court. Our clients include both provincial and national contractors, employer associations, and training and benefit societies. We serve unionized and non-unionized organizations.
Our services include:
- Collective bargaining and agreements;
- Grievances;
- Board hearings;
- Labour relations analysis and planning;
- Workers Compensation and Occupational Health & Safety;
- Human rights, privacy, bullying and harassment training and investigations; and
- Commercial Litigation.
We also advise on labour agreements prior to the commencement of large projects. On such projects, our clients rely on our deep knowledge of and relationship with the trade unions that are an integral part of these projects. This includes the fifteen craft unions that make up the building trades sector.
We take a preventative stance by helping clients to keep labour costs down and to avoid labour disputes. However, when disputes do occur, we vigorously represent and support our clients through to the quickest and best possible outcome.
