LiUNA Strike Shuts Down Residential Construction Sites Across the GTA
Earlier this week, members of Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 183 rejected contract proposals, and opted to initiate strike action. The union released an official statement on Monday that came with a call to bring the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) back to the bargaining table.
Approximately 15,000 skilled construction workers from six sectors including high-rise forming, self-levelling forming, tile, railing, carpet, and hardwood installers have walked off the job in hopes of a new agreement.
LiUNA is requesting wage increases for its workers, and is arguing that the terms of some contracts – specifically for concrete forming – were written nearly 30 years ago, and that the new agreements need to take into account the rising inflation rates and the increase in the cost of housing that we all – including trades workers – are subject to today.