Horgan’s labour model a step back in time

We should follow Manitoba’s lead to protect taxpayers and workers, Paul de Jong says.

The Manitoba government has just taken one giant step forward for taxpayers’ and workers’ rights. It’s putting a stop to antiquated labour laws that make government construction projects more expensive and ignore the basic rights of workers.

The front-runner in Ontario’s election campaign is also pledging to respect taxpayers by saving their hard-earned dollars.

As fairness for taxpayers and workers rises on the political priority list in more provinces, it raises the obvious question: why is B.C. moving in the opposite direction?

It’s refreshing when governments do the right thing. Manitoba has just introduced legislation that allows all qualified companies to bid on government construction projects. And no longer will workers be compelled to pay dues to select Building Trades Unions they are not part of — nor wish to be part of — just to get access to work. Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said the rationale is simple. It’s about fairness.

“This legislation ensures all qualified workers and their employers, regardless of union status, have equal access to publicly funded construction projects in the province, and that all workers and employers in this province are treated fairly.”

For the longest time, there was no fairness. Restrictive Project Labour Agreements (PLAs) designed by Manitoba’s previous NDP government set out all the conditions and decided who could work on any one of a number of largescale infrastructure projects in the province. Companies whose workers were not represented by the Building Trades Unions (BTUs) were not allowed to bid on many major public sector projects.

The restrictive PLA for the Bipole III Transmission Line and Keeyask Generating Station, for example, required all non-union workers to pay dues to the BTUs, and even unionized employees who wanted to work on those projects were forced to switch unions.

It was during the 2016 election campaign that Manitoba PC leader Brian Pallister promised to level the playing field by allowing all qualified companies — union and non-union — to bid on provincial projects.

Now as premier, he’s making good on that promise by restoring workers’ rights and allowing a tendering process that is fair, open and competitive in Manitoba.

Besides fairness for workers, open tendering on public construction work has significant benefits for taxpayers. Pallister has estimated that open tendering could save Manitoba taxpayers about $12 million. Studies by the City of Montreal and the Cardus think-tank show that by not allowing all qualified bidders, construction project costs rise between 20 and 30 per cent. It’s clear the public does not get good value when experienced, well-respected firms are shut out.

In Ontario, PC Leader Doug Ford, who is campaigning to become premier, has declared “the party’s over with taxpayers’ money.” Ford is promising to drive efficiencies and stop the wasteful spending of public tax dollars in a province shouldering a $312-billion debt. This debt is higher than at any point in Ontario’s history.

Meanwhile, B.C. operates as though it’s in a bubble. Premier John Horgan makes no mention of value for taxpayers or fairness for the province’s skilled workers, when he vows to return to old school-style Project Labour Agreements for government construction work.

It seems to be “back to the future” time in B.C.: back to the same restrictive labour model for big infrastructure projects that Manitoba is outlawing.

So here’s what the public should be asking: Why is coerced payment to select unions wrong for Manitobans but right for British Columbians?

Why would B.C. return to 1970s-style labour arrangements that stymie competition, drive up costs, and allow select unions that represent a small minority of the province’s construction workforce to call the shots for the vast majority?

B.C. could learn a thing or two from Ontario’s Doug Ford, who has made it a priority to rein in wasteful spending and ensure the public is getting good value. There is also much to be gained by following the lead of the Manitoba government and rejecting restrictive PLAs. The B.C. government would be wise to do the same.