The United Steelworkers union (USW) welcome workers from ConocoPhillips in Montney, a small town north of Fort St. John, who have chosen to join the union.
ConocoPhillips operates an unconventional gas field development at Montney.
“The decision by the ConocoPhillips Montney workers to join our union demonstrates the commitment from these workers to strengthen their voice in the workplace and to collectively address the many issues affecting them,” said Scott Lunny, USW District Director for Western Canada, in a news release. “Today is a victory allowing these workers to benefit from the collective bargaining power that comes with union membership. Together, we will build a stronger workplace and a path towards a more secure future for every energy and gas sector worker in British Columbia.”
More than 30 workers at the Montney facilities will become members of USW Local 1-2017, which represents workers in forestry, value-added, energy, mining, construction, electrical, trucking, automotive, health care and landfill sites throughout northern B.C.
“As the Montney operations continue to expand, so do the pressures on their employees. These workers deserve better working conditions, job security, wages and benefits,” said Brian O’Rourke, President of USW Local 1-2017. “Our union extends our welcome to the ConocoPhillips Montney workers and encourages all our newly organized members to be actively engaged in our union’s activities. In the weeks ahead, we look forward to meeting with these members and helping them achieve a first collective agreement.”
The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.