Labour Relations

The PLCAC is the collective bargaining agent for employers and provides a range of Labour Management Services to the unionized Canadian pipeline contractor industry. Labour Management Services is governed by a National Labour Relations Committee (NLRC) of the PLCAC board of directors.

Maintaining effective working relationships in a unionized setting is a shared responsibility of the employer and our union partners. To support our employers, who are bound to the terms and conditions under the collective agreements, the PLCAC offers professional guidance and advice through Labour Management Services.

Labour Management Services includes collective bargaining, interpretation and grievance management, administration of the agreements, employer communications, strategic issue management and building strategic labour partnerships. Please contact us for more information regarding the services available to regular members and signatory employers in the pipeline sector.

Convenient binders of these agreements are available for purchase. Please contact Brian Butler at plcac@pipeline.ca to order.

Electronic copies of the Pipeline Agreements for Canada may also be requested by contacting the PLCAC office.

If you have any questions regarding the application, terms and/or conditions on any of the Pipeline Agreements for Canada, please contact us for further assistance.

The Canadian Pipeline Advisory Council (CPAC) is a not for profit corporation comprised of five members (four pipeline craft unions and the PLCAC) operationally managed by an equally represented union/management Board of Directors. The Council acts to settle matters of dispute which may arise and other matters concerning the harmonious relationship between the PLCAC and the four pipeline craft unions; and to support pipeline owning enterprises within Canada to develop an sustain safe and responsible pipeline construction, operations and maintenance operations in the national public interest.

There are presently twelve collective agreements administered by the PLCAC that cover the type of work performed by regular member firms of the Association in Canada.

• Laborer’s International Union of North America (LiUNA)
• United Association (UA)
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
• Teamsters Canada
• Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC)
• Maintain harmonious relations through mutual respect, active joint-governance and collaboration;
• Maintain an expedited Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism called the Pipeline Industry Grievance Panel (PIGP);
• Participate in industry-funded Training Trust Fund facilities for pipeline-specific craft and trade skills training across provinces;
• Assure security of skilled labour and services for pipeline construction and renewal projects through cooperative approaches to pre-project
• engagement, planning and coordination;
• Review jurisdictional disputes as they arise and are related to the assignment of work, and facilitate steady work continuation without slow down and/or work stoppage;
• Participate in industry promotion and outreach with stakeholders, including clients, government, Indigenous and public engagement;
• Provide industry career pathway tools and tool kits for educators, labour and member firms; and
• Sustain industry development activities through an employer contribution based on the hours worked under pipeline agreements