Steelworkers blast Conservative bill as hypocrisy after MLAs claimed to support workers

This section is Partnership Content suppliedThe content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Article contentVANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The United Steelworkers union (USW) is condemning the B.C. Conservative Party after it introduced legislation that would undermine Project Labour Agreements and threaten good-paying union jobs across the province – just one day after the party told Steelworkers it supports workers and family-supporting jobs.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentYesterday, USW members met directly with the B.C. Conservative caucus to discuss the urgent need to stabilize and protect the province’s forestry sector and the thousands of workers and communities that depend on it. During that meeting, Conservative MLAs spoke at length about the importance of unionized, good-paying jobs and claimed they were allies of labour who were fighting to protect workers.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentThe next day, those same Conservatives introduced legislation attacking the very agreements that protect wages, safety standards and opportunities for local workers.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentSteelworkers say the move exposes a stunning level of political hypocrisy.Article content“This is nothing short of a betrayal,” said Mike Duhra, Assistant to the USW Director for Western Canada.Article content“Conservative MLAs sat across the table from us and told us how much they value good-paying union jobs and strong resource communities. Then they turn around and table legislation that directly attacks those very workers. You can’t claim to stand with labour one day and legislate against them the next,” Duhra said.Article contentProject Labour Agreements and Community Benefit Agreements are widely recognized as proven tools for delivering major infrastructure projects safely, efficiently and with a highly trained local workforce. Article contentFor the Conservatives to attempt to ban these agreements while simultaneously claiming to support workers is completely at odds with their rhetoric.Article content“Workers see through this,” Duhra said. “If you believe in good jobs, safe worksites and strong communities, you don’t introduce legislation designed to weaken the very standards that make those jobs possible. What the Conservatives are proposing would drive down wages, undermine safety and shut out skilled union workers from projects funded by their own tax dollars.”Article contentArticle contentThe USW is joining calls for the B.C. Conservative Party to immediately withdraw this legislation and engage in honest, transparent dialogue with workers and labour organizations about how to strengthen good jobs and build a stable future for British Columbia’s economy.Article content“British Columbians deserve leadership that stands up for workers,” Duhra added. “If the Conservatives truly believe what they told our members earlier this week, they should scrap this bill today.”Article contentAbout the United Steelworkers union Article contentThe 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.Article contentEach year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union’s strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions.Article contentFor more information:Article contentMike Duhra, Assistant to the USW Director for Western Canada, 604-315-2280, mduhra@usw.caBrett Barden, USW Communications, 604-445-6956, bbarden@usw.caArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentTrending Posthaste: Canada loses to the U.S. again, but this time it's not in the hockey rink News These eight charts show 'rupture' with Canada under Trump's tariffs Economy Posthaste: This dormant pipeline needs to be restarted for the sake of Canada, economists say News Bank of Canada governor warns of growing risks to financial stability Economy Posthaste: Canadians are paying more than lip service to Buy Canada — and now the numbers prove it News Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. 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