The residential strikes which started on June 2nd have come to an end as the parties without a new collective agreement turn their attention to binding arbitration. Special labour legislation introduced after a tumultuous round of bargaining in the late 1990’s mandates that all remaining outstanding issues will be decided through binding arbitration.
“While the vast majority of more than 20 trades involved in low-rise and high-rise residential construction were able to reach freely negotiated agreements, the drywall, trim, tile, and low-rise electrical trades remained on strike and will now have the outstanding issues determined by an arbitrator,” Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) president Richard Lyall said. “This brings an end to what can only be characterized as a frustrating time for new-home buyers, new-home builders, and other affected trade groups.
New home-builders are working quickly to assess their current projects to determine the extent of potential delays. The impact of the strike will depend on the status of houses and projects before the strikes began. Homes waiting for drywall, trim, tile, or electrical work will be impacted relatively more than houses at other stages of construction.
“With the end of the strikes comes a return to stability and this will allow RESCON members to accurately assess delays and in turn communicate up-to-date timelines with new-home buyers,” RESCON vice-president Andrew Pariser stated. New-home buyers are encouraged to contact their builders for specific information on your new home or condo.
RESCON will continue to monitor the return to work efforts of all parties involved and share up-to-date information with our members, key stakeholders and the public as it becomes available.