Protecting Your Future

Why join the Carpenters Union?

Joining our union is an important decision. Here are some points to consider:

• You have a direct democratic say in determining your wages, benefits, hours of work, and other working conditions
• You can participate in the Carpenters Union Pension Plan
• You can’t be disciplined or fired from your job without just cause
• You have a formal grievance procedure if you feel you’ve been treated unfairly by your employer
• You can get the union’s help if you have difficulties with a Workers’ Compensation Board claim
• You can participate in skills training and upgrading programs organized by the Carpenters Union
• You have greater job security than non-union workers who don’t have a collective agreement
• Your health and welfare benefits are administered for you by the Carpenters Union – no disruption as you move from job to job
• The British Columbia Provincial Council of Carpenters represents your interests as a worker and skilled tradesperson with government, employers, trade associations, and the public
• You receive Strike Funds should you ever have to go on strike
• You have a job steward and a locally-elected executive protecting your interests on the job

The BC Carpenters are

the largest construction union in BC with over 7,000 members who enjoy some of the best wages and working conditions in the country.

The BC Carpenters Union includes many trades and occupations. The union recently changed its organizing policy to enable it to organize ‘wall-to-wall’, that is, to represent all workers employed by a contractor regardless of their trade or occupation.

The Carpenters Union represents the interests of all workers, even those who have not joined the union. If you suspect you’re not getting a fair deal from your employer, call your Carpenters Union representative for help.

It’s your legal right to join the BC Carpenters Union

Canadian and BC law protects anyone who decides to join a union. The right of workers to join together to bargain collectively with their employer is a fundamental right of Canadian democracy. In BC, those rights are protected under the BC Labour Code.

Employers cannot threaten you, discriminate against you, pressure you to not sign a union card, or do anything to prevent you and your co-workers from joining the union.

It’s between you and the union

Your employer has no right to know if you have joined the union. The labor laws ensure your confidentiality is protected.

How does it work?

When a majority of workers in your workplace support the union, your workplace will be certified to the BC Carpenters Union.

It’s the law

The law requires the employer to negotiate a collective agreement in good faith. Once it is signed the collective agreement typically covers all aspects of work including wages, benefits, hours of work, vacations, health and safety, grievance procedures, seniority, and many other issues. Once signed, collective agreements are legally binding on the employer and the union.

If you’re interested in joining a union

If you’re interested in organizing your jobsite with the BC Carpenters Union, contact one of our organizers. Our organizers are professionally trained to defend your legal rights, and will guide and support your organizing efforts in every way.

They’ll help you do it right and they’ll protect the rights of individuals during the process.

Are we going to go on strike?

Strikes are rare. Your bargaining unit decides by a democratic vote whether to accept or reject a collective agreement, to go on strike, to continue negotiations – everything to do with your work situation.

If there is a strike the BC Carpenters Union has a strike fund which helps replace lost wages for workers on the picket lines.