OPINION: B.C. Joins Jurisdictions Scross North America Embracing CBA model

I’ve been watching with great interest the debate over Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in B.C., and I really just have one thing to say: Congratulations!

But let me expand on that. Common throughout North America, CBAs are also known as Project Labour Agreements or Community Workforce Agreements. Essentially, they’re deals between governments and/or contractors and unions that ensure projects are completed in ways that provide value to taxpayers and positively invest in communities. These goals are achieved through a number of criteria, such as no-strike, no-lockout clauses, fair wages and hiring provisions that prioritize the training and employment of often disadvantaged groups.

As an American labour-relations professional, I have nearly 30 years’ experience with public and private-sector labour agreements. States across America are moving to this model because it works. In my experience on more than 50 projects in both the U.S. and Canada totalling in excess of US$70 billion, I’ve seen communities leverage major projects to create opportunities for veterans, homeless people, the formerly incarcerated, minorities, Indigenous and others who, for various reasons, have had difficulty finding a job. And, even beyond “jobs,” finding careers. This should be our ultimate goal.

In July, the B.C. government announced that two public infrastructure projects — the Pattullo Bridge replacement and the widening of Highway 1 between Kamloops and the Alberta border — would be built under a CBA framework.