TORONTO – ELECTION 360 – The IBEW Construction Council of Ontario (IBEW CCO) announced today its full endorsement of Doug Ford and the Ontario PC party for the June 2nd provincial election.
IBEW is the third labour union to step out and endorse the Progressive Conservatives. Normally it is the Ontario New Democrats which gain the support of labour unions.
It can be noted that the endorsement of a union doesn’t mean all the workers will vote based on that endorsement, but it is a sign of changing ideals in Ontario’s labour movement.
“Premier Ford has proven over the last four years that he not only supports and understands the needs of the electrical trades but has backed it up with positive and meaningful action that is unprecedented in our union’s history,” states James Barry, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the IBEW CCO which serves more than 18,000 women and men working in varied sectors of the electrical industry.
Barry noted that the decision for his union to endorse the Ontario PC Party was also based on the impressive performance of Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
“I have never met a more committed Minister in this portfolio, with his fair and balanced approach he has continued to deliver to all his stakeholder groups. From the moment of his appointment, he began travelling across the province to visit training centres, meeting with skilled trades workers and really taking the time to understand our complex issues. The Minister was in regular contact with all IBEW locals across the province,” said Barry.
Barry noted that prior to the Ontario PC party coming into power almost four years ago, the compulsory trades were not a priority and there had been steps taken to erode the value of a Certificate of Qualification and reduce training requirements for licensed electricians.
The International Vice President for the Boilermakers union has also announced his endorsement of Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs as the best choice to address the province’s labour shortage by getting more people into the skilled trades.
“With Ontario’s construction and energy sectors being highly competitive, Doug Ford and his government have done a tremendous job in maintaining a level playing field,” said Arnie Stadnick. “It may sound cliché, but the PC government really does have an open-door policy. Premier Ford, his Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton and the Ontario PCs understand the benefits of ensuring that the province not only maintains, but continually improves upon a supply chain that is largely serviced from within the province. I’m proud to lend my support to Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs.”
Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs have been addressing Ontario’s labour shortage in the skilled trades by investing in programs that will prepare people for careers in the petrochemical, nuclear and other sectors. They have worked with trade unions to ensure that workers are a key part of the discussion and decision making process. By supporting full and meaningful apprenticeship programs through targeted initiatives and providing funding to attract more young people into rewarding careers in the trades, a re-elected PC government will continue to ensure that the well-paying and meaningful jobs within Ontario’s energy and construction sectors are a top priority.
