More oilsands developers consider asking for labour code exemptions By David Finlayson, The Edmonton Journal
CNRL is currently in talks with the Alberta Building Trades Council and the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), which bills itself as an alternative to mainstream unions.
Alberta Human Resources spokesperson Leanne Stangland said CNRL can choose to sign a contract with one union, or negotiate with both.
That doesn't sit well with the building trades council, spokesman Adrian Graci said.
"We're worried because CNRL has talked about temporary foreign workers and going with CLAC. That says to us they want to go with the cheaper and weaker union, and just want to pay lower wages."
The construction unions worked under the special exemption in the 1970s when Syncrude was being developed, Graci said.