The Conservative government adopting U S style "Right To Work Laws" could seriously damage the construction industry and economy .
Here are five consequences for adapting this U S style type of law.
1.Training
The Ontario Construction Secretariat estimates that contributions made by the unionized construction industry exceeds $40 MILLION dollars towards various training trust funds. Without unions help, money spent towards training would be significantly less.
How will Canadians receive training without the unions strong training programs?
2. Apprenticeship
Construction unions and union employers heavily invest in the delivery and support of industry training centers and colleges. Supporting 3,626 apprentices in 2011. That's up 1,271 from 2001. The number of young workers in apprenticeships is significantly increased do to the help from the unionized construction industry.
Where will our young workers start their apprenticeship without an apprenticeship program?
3.Benefits
Statistics Canada estimated that only 12.7% of non-union employers with 20 or fewer workers provide retirement saving or pension plans. This is the most common type of company in the non-union construction industry. These benefits are extremely important to Canadian family's. Providing them with pension and retirement savings plans, health and dental insurance, life insurance and disability insurance.
What will Canadians do when the conservative government takes away their drug and dental plans?
4. Wages
Statistics Canada administered surveys in 2009 covering 36 construction trades and occupations between non-union wage versus union wage and on average the union wage was 26.3% higher then non union. Not only will union wages decrease do to the conservative "Right To Work" laws. non-union employers will have less pressure to offer a competitive wages. Decreasing the wages of all construction trades.
How will the conservative government keep construction workers out of poverty with a wage decrease of almost 26.3%?
5. Health and Safety
Construction Unions invest heavily on health and safety in the work place. Several thousand union members have been trained to be health and safety representatives promoting a safer work environment. Health and safety is extremely important when working in a unionized work environment. On average, non-union employers had injury rates that are roughly double the rate of unionized employers. Non-union employers do not focus on safety as much as unionized employers
Will health and safety in the workplace suffer after the unions are gone?
