Construction sector is thriving here

Re: “Alberta calls, but why would workers answer?” Opinion, March 21

Some additional context regarding the op-ed in the March 21 Journal. Double-breasting, whereby a parent company has both union and non-union operating businesses, has been a feature of Alberta's construction industry since the 1980s. During that time, Alberta's construction workforce has grown to be the province's third-largest private-sector employer, employing one in 10 working Albertans in the field, and employing thousands more in management and related occupations.

For the last 30-plus years, construction workers from other provinces have worked on Alberta construction projects. No single source of workers, whether union, non-union, employee associations or from elsewhere, has been sufficient to meet the workforce required to construct all of Alberta's construction projects. Healthy competition has resulted in union and non-union employers offering high pay, comprehensive benefit packages, training, learning and development, including outstanding workplace health and safety, family counselling services, and other employee supports.

Indeed, construction is the fourth-highest paying profession in Alberta, well above the average for all industries and occupations. The Alberta Construction Association supports Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and thereby opposes any restriction on workers being able to choose to work for either a union or non-union employer, or to be able to move from one to the other. ACA supports an inclusive workforce to meet labour demands. Trevor Doucette, chairman, Alberta Construction Association