NL workers should be priority

ST. JOHN'S, Sept. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - NL workers gathered in Grand Falls-Windsor on Friday, September 16, 2016 to bring attention to the work situation in the local area.  An out of province contractor is currently working at the Grand Falls-Windsor Hydro Plant, using out of province workers to do an overhaul of the turbines while qualified workers are not considered. 

In Grand Falls-Windsor and surrounding area there are many qualified workers that are willing, ready and able to do the required work on the turbines in the plant.  Crown corporations, such as Nalcor, should be supporting NL workers and giving them the first opportunity to go to work, not giving support to hiring out of province workers.

In the past, many Newfoundland and Labrador workers have travelled out of province for work and gratefully have had the opportunity to work throughout Canada in communities that had a shortfall of qualified skilled workers. Currently in NL, there isn't a shortfall of workers.  While out of province workers are in the hydro plant doing work, NL workers are unable to secure employment in jobs that they are qualified to do.

On Friday, September 23, 2016 at 10 a.m. a similar demonstration will take place at Nalcor's Corporate office at 500 Columbus Drive, St. John's, NL.  This assembly of support for our Newfoundland and Labrador skilled trades people, both union and non-union, will hopefully create the necessary communication and conversation to put NL workers first.  In tough economic times, such as we are experiencing here in Newfoundland and Labrador, the more employment we can develop for our skilled trades, the more money goes directly back into our communities.

NL workers should be the priority choice for work in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOURCE Atlantic Canada Regional Council

Media Contact: Tim Ford, Business Representative/Organizer, Atlantic Canada Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]