Quebec construction workers head west

FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — A group of Quebec tradesmen have come to the Alberta oilsands for work, claiming they're being discriminated against in their own province because they don't belong to the right union.

One of those workers is Marc Allard, who hails from Montreal. The millwright claims he hasn't been able to find work in his home province after he decided to leave his union — Conseil Provincial du Quebec des Metier de la Construction- International — in 2006.

Another reason is because his Quebec Local 1981 boss says he has audiotape evidence of Allard's former union allegedly using intimidation and discrimination — tape which also allegedly reflects poorly on his new union of choice, the Federation des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec.

Local 1981 falls under the FTQ's construction arm.

Both unions deny allegations of discrimination and intimidation.

“If I want to work construction, I have to work up there,” said Allard, who travelled to Fort McMurray in 2007. His first job was at Canadian Natural Resources. He has since moved to Shell Albian Sands.

He estimates some 50 Quebec millwrights were at the CNR site with him. There were about 45 of them at Albian during the peak period last year.

“I'm in exile here. That's one way to say it,” said Allard, who has worked construction since 2000.

There are jobs in Quebec, but because he's not part of the right union after voting against the construction council, Allard claims he can no longer find work.

“It's not normal. We're in Canada,” said Allard, adding it's like not being able to work because he voted Liberal and the ruling Conservatives didn't like it.

“You see that in a banana republic, but not in Canada.”

Ken Pereira, Allard's Local 1981 union boss, said, “there's sanctions against my men here in Quebec.”

“I can't find work in Quebec for Quebec workers,” he continued. “I've got to bring them to Russia, Vancouver, Alberta and New Guinea. I can find them (work) anywhere in the world except in Quebec.”

FTQ president Michel Arsenault denies any claims of discrimination against his 1981 members.

“What I'm hearing is Local 1981 has not produced their financial report for the last two years and the FTQ-Construction has suspended their direct affiliation because they're not conforming themselves to the regulation and laws of the Construction Commission of Quebec.”

Pereira said the books aren't up to date “because they (the FTQ) were doing it.”

“They have my union dues; everything went to them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Allard continues to look for work in Quebec, but has had no luck.

He said he called several contractors in January, but heard the same reply:

“We're not from the right union.”