![\"ith](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/toronto-strike.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo:\u00a0Jerome<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/em><\/p>\nThousands of workers in the residential construction industry have walked off the job, which may impact new development activity across the Greater Toronto Area.<\/p>\n
In a press release issued<\/a> on Sunday, May 1st, construction union LiUNA (Labourers\u2019 International Union of North America) Local 183 announced that members were \u201cforced to go on strike in support of fair compensation and workers\u2019 rights.\u201d<\/p>\n Members from multiple construction industry sectors, including those who do high-rise forming and self-levelling flooring, tile and railing installers, house framers, and carpet and hardwood installers, have rejected proposed settlements. With more than 15,000 labourers on strike, LiUNA Local 183 stated that this may impact ground-related and high-rise multi-family residential projects across the GTA.<\/p>\n\n The union says that they have requested \u201cfair compensation,\u201d for its members in light of the rising costs of living across Ontario. Employers in other construction and residential sectors have offered employment terms and conditions which better reflect the current cost of living, LiUNA Local 183 stated, and have anticipated increases in inflationary pressures over the life of the collective agreement.<\/p>\n The union has called on the Contractors\u2019 Associations to return to the bargaining table with employment terms that \u201caddress the costs of inflation and demands on the sector over the coming years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe residential sector is amongst the most in-demand industries for the GTA and will continue to be sought after for years to come. They deserve compensation that reflects their contributions to the industry,\u201d said Jack Oliveira, LiUNA Local 183 Business Manager, in a press release. \u201cOur members work hard and are critical to building housing across the GTA. We\u2019re ready to get back to work, but the Contractors\u2019 Associations needs to offer a fair proposal that respects our members and the work that they do.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), there are about 30 collective agreements in the residential construction sector. All collective bargaining agreements in the GTA expired on April 30th. Many collective agreements have been settled, have reached a tentative agreement, or are waiting for an arbitration award between the parties.<\/p>\n For direct employees, the parties went to arbitration on April 21st, and settled outstanding issues in dispute, including wages, which were awarded a $6.40 increase on the total hourly package over a three-year period, said RESCON<\/a>.<\/p>\n