The Utility Agreement They Don't Want You to See

CUSW members are choosing facts over fiction to disprove LIUNA and Operating Engineers (OEs) claims about the so-called “superiority” of their Utility collective agreement.

CUSW understands completely why LIUNA and Operating Engineers don’t want our members to see their Utility Agreement, because they simply don’t compare to ours.

LIUNA has shown to have the lowest wages of all construction unions, which are used to undercut their competition. Sadly enough, the “Race to the Bottom” is a term commonly used to describe LIUNA and their agreements.

This is why we’ve attached a portion of the LIUNA 607 - Thunder Bay Utility Agreement to prove our point. The numbers are there for all the world to see.

See for Yourself

Download the Utility agreement they don't want you to see. 

Let's look at more facts: 

  • There is no wage schedule for linemen and apprentices, but they supposedly run red seal apprentice programs. They do have electricians’ rates with a total package of $36.08, but no apprentice rates.
  • Any union with red seal trades and red seal apprentices would have wage schedules. Even non-union electricians get paid more than the LIUNA electricians’ rate, which is still about $20 an hour less than CUSW collective agreements, including Valard. LIUNA puts more money in the employers’ pocket, not yours.
  • CUSW run electrical trades apprentice programs, and even the IBEW and CLAC do.  But not LIUNA or OEs. If they claim to have large numbers of lineman, electricians and apprentices, why did they not have them organizing? Why have they not been competing for line and electrical contractors on Ontario construction projects with electrical unions?

All electrical unions have clear wage schedules on apprentice pay and progression. LIUNA and OEs have nothing to say about this. Who would want workers without electrical knowledge or experience running line and apprentice programs managing skill development?
 
LIUNA and OEs claim the employer pays pension and benefits, yet their wage schedule says something very different. They negotiate the pension and benefits as part of the total package, which is evident in this Utility agreement.
 
LIUNA and OEs are once again making promises they can’t back up.
 
CUSW prefer fact over fiction.  Ask LIUNA and OEs to show you and your co-workers their Utility agreement and explain how “superior” they are to CUSW wages and conditions.
 

For CUSW members throughout Canada, the choice is abundantly clear.  Vote CUSW.