![]() “If you think about what comes after framing, right, you’ve got electrical, plumbing, drywall, all these other things that stop because they can’t continue working if there's no frame,” said Lyall. Any site at the forming or framing stage will be heavily affected because those workers are on strike, but construction sites in the later stages such as finishing will be significantly less impacted. The strikes don’t mean every single residential site in the GTA has ground to a halt, according to RESCON. “The need for housing is there, and we’ve got some pretty big challenges ahead of us and quite a bit of uncertainty in the market, and we've had some real challenges during COVID.” Between that and the other issues facing the industry, such as supply chain problems and the ongoing pandemic, Lyall said this has been a particularly difficult round of bargaining, but some units have already settled. He said rising inflation has led to increased pressure to raise wages in the construction industry. These agreements expire every three years at the same time, and it’s not uncommon for a few bargaining units to go on strike, he said. There are around 30 such agreements in the residential construction sector alone, said Lyall. In the construction industry, unlike other industries, workers in specific skilled trades like framing or hardwood installation are covered by separate collective agreements with their respective contractors’ associations. It’s the most significant strike the sector has seen in around two decades, said Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), which represents residential builders. ![]() This comes as Ontarians are grappling with continued high prices and tight supply in the residential real estate market, with the federal government promising billions to try to ease Canada’s housing crisis. “Our members are at the frontlines of the region’s growth and deserve fair pay and benefits for their work and service to the community.” “LiUNA Local 183 members were deemed essential throughout the pandemic and continue to serve in one of the GTA’s fastest growing construction sectors,” said LiUNA 183 business manager Jack Oliveira in the press release. According to a press release from the local, workers in highrise forming, self-levelling flooring, house framing, tile installation, rail installation, and carpet and hardwood installation rejected their proposed settlements after asking for compensation increases to help offset the rising cost of living. ![]() On Sunday, workers in the Greater Toronto Area and other parts of Ontario covered by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 183 went on strike. It’s being called the biggest strike in the sector in 20 years, which could delay the construction of highrise and low-rise homes in the GTA. More than 15,000 residential construction workers are on strike over compensation and workers’ rights. ![]()
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