Nearly half of Canada’s skilled trades workers rate their mental health as fair or poor, according to a new report that highlights workplace stress as a major factor affecting the country’s 600,000 unionized tradespeople.
The comprehensive study by Canada’s Building Trades Unions reveals that 77 per cent of surveyed workers experience stress, while 62 per cent report anxiety and 50 per cent suffer from burnout, according to the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation report released Monday.
The findings show workplace conditions significantly impact mental health, with 62 per cent of workers reporting poor mental health saying their job affects their well-being, according to the union organization. Physical pain from work correlates with substance use as a coping mechanism, the report found.
Union support network offers foundation for solutions
Despite the challenges, the survey of more than 1,000 union members found that tradespeople feel more supported by their workplace community than workers in other sectors, according to the report.
“This report confirms what we’ve long suspected: our members face pressures that take a toll on their mental well-being,” said Sean Strickland, executive director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions. “However, it also underscores the unique strength of our union structure in providing a built-in support network.”
The organization represents 14 international unions across construction, maintenance and fabrication industries, generating six per cent of Canada’s GDP, according to the union.
Substance use and treatment barriers identified
The report found that 25 per cent of workers use substances daily or weekly to cope with mental health challenges, while stigma remains the primary barrier to accessing union-provided mental health programs.
Although 84 per cent of respondents believe their union offers necessary mental health supports, only 10 per cent have used these services, according to the findings.
Common mental health issues reported include depression at 45 per cent and insomnia affecting 38 per cent of workers surveyed.
National committee formed to address crisis
In response to the findings, the union organization announced the formation of a nationwide Mental Health and Substance Use Committee featuring representatives from affiliated unions.
“This committee signifies a unified commitment from all corners of the CBTU to prioritize the mental health of our members,” said Robert Kucheran, chairman of the union’s executive board.
The committee includes representatives from major trades unions including the United Association of Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and International Union of Operating Engineers.
Recommendations focus on workplace improvements
The report recommends increasing awareness of existing mental health programs while working with employers to reduce workplace injuries and ergonomic stressors.
Additional recommendations include fostering a stronger sense of belonging among tradespeople to encourage help-seeking behaviour and recognizing the connection between physical pain and mental health in trades work.
