FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2026
IUOE Local 115 Opposes BC Conservative Attack on Community Benefits Agreements and Local Jobs
BURNABY, BC – The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 strongly opposes the BC Conservative attack on working people. Today, they introduced the Public Sector Construction Projects Procurement Act, seeking to eliminate the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), a program that provides family-supporting jobs for workers in their own communities.
The suggestion that there are restrictive tendering rules on projects using CBAs has never been true. “MLA Kiel Giddens is either misleading British Columbians or has not taken the time to understand the agreement,” said Business Manager Bryan Railton. “Either way, it is not a good look.” In fact, many of the contractors who have worked on CBA projects had no prior affiliation with unions before participating in those projects.
CBAs have delivered family-supporting incomes in communities across British Columbia. It is a fact that 81% of workers on CBA projects live within 100 km of the project they are working on. More importantly, these projects have relied on zero temporary foreign workers. These are good-paying jobs that provide real benefits and pensions for the people doing the work.
CBA projects have also been successful in creating opportunities for apprentices. Thirty-two percent of apprentices working on these projects advanced at least one level during their time on site, and 14% achieved journeyperson status. CBA projects also employ more women in construction, with women making up 8% of the workforce compared to the industry average of 6%.
The BC government’s focus on workforce development demonstrates that when you build infrastructure, you can also build your workforce. The BC Conservatives are proposing a return to low-bid procurement and increased reliance on temporary foreign workers while British Columbians sit at home.
“Their proposed bill is dangerous for British Columbians, fiscally irresponsible, and should be opposed by every MLA in the Legislature,” said Business Manager Bryan Railton.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jared Fisk, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115