Ontario’s unionized industrial-commercial-institutional construction sector has ratified 25 collective agreements covering 80,000 skilled trades workers, avoiding any labour disruptions during bargaining.
The Construction Employers Coordinating Council of Ontario (CECCO) announced the successful conclusion of collective bargaining involving its 22 Employer Bargaining Agencies and union partners. The new agreements provide an average wage increase of eight per cent over three years.
“We are pleased that our 22 Employer Bargaining Agencies (EBAs) were able to work with their union partners to achieve ratified collective agreements,” said Wayne Peterson, executive director of CECCO.
The agreements set terms for tradespeople working across Ontario in critical infrastructure projects such as hospitals, schools and government buildings. The ICI sector includes workers such as crane operators, plumbers, electricians, and drywallers.
Focus on continuity and competitiveness
Peterson said the bargaining process highlighted the strong partnership between contractors and unions, with both sides focused on maintaining industry stability.
“ICI unions and contractors share the same goal – to keep their members working, while remaining competitive and offering a good wage package to those currently working and those who want to join the trades,” he said.
Looking ahead to the next round of bargaining in 2028, Peterson said CECCO and its partners aim to continue reinforcing what he called the “union advantage” in the sector, including safe workplaces and quality training programs.
CECCO has represented employer bargaining interests since 1979 and plays a central role in coordinating province-wide, single-trade negotiations in Ontario’s unionized ICI construction industry.
