Members of Local 900 depend on us to conduct all bargaining and enforcement of collective agreements and undertake community and political advocacy to represent them on employment-related issues. But here at Local 900, we do more than just negotiate collective agreements. Day in and day out, our committed team of Business Representatives work hard to find secure employment for our members.
You can begin the process by filling out an online application here
Those who can demonstrate adequate construction skills may be initiated without having to participate in the apprenticeship program. Contact us for more information or fill out an online application.
Those who are working for a non-unionized construction company may have the opportunity to join at no cost by contacting our office for details.
Members of LiUNA Local 900 receive employment benefits, benefit coverage and pension coverage through the union.
The Local 900 fund does not cap members’ benefit plan contributions from employers.
An apprenticeship provides hands-on training and in-school instruction for people who enjoy learning by doing. Apprenticeships can lead to rewarding and profitable careers that demand a high level of skill, judgment, and creativity. Apprentices are paid while gaining work experience, and their wages increase with their level of skill.
Our programs provide you with the skills that make you more employable. Construction employers consider apprentices with LiUNA training to be among the most productive, conscientious, qualified and safety-oriented individuals in the industry.
80% of apprenticeship training is provided in the workplace by employers. The remainder involves classroom and shop instruction and theory, provided at the Local 900 Regional Training Centre at 895 Ashburn Rd, Saint John.
Most apprentices normally complete one of the pre-apprenticeship programs offered at the Regional Training Centre. In special circumstances, workers with some experience may proceed directly to the apprenticeship program.
Apprentices are contracted to a Local Apprenticeship Committee consisting of both management and labour representatives. This committee makes recommendations on apprenticeship placement and requirements for fulfillment of the apprenticeship. Apprentices are also registered with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (formerly under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities). The Ministry schedules in-school sessions and covers their cost. Eligible apprentices also receive employment insurance (EI) for the duration of their in-school training. In all trades, apprentices are expected to pay $400 for each in-school training period, however, the Training Trust Fund pays this fee on behalf of LiUNA Local 900 members!
Apprenticeship programs take two to three years to complete as long as the apprentice is steadily employed, successfully completes the in-school training period, and fills out his or her apprenticeship logbook completely.
Labour-management programs provide benefits like pensions and health coverage through union membership. Apprentices are paid on an increasing wage scale, and do not pay for their education. The most important benefits, however, are the skills that an apprentice possesses upon completion of his or her apprenticeship. Apprentices receive hands-on training on the job, and technical and theoretical training in the classroom.
LiUNA Locals train thousands of Apprentices and Journeypersons each year. Although Local 900 is fairly new, our robust apprenticeships are the same high quality as other LiUNA Locals.
Apprentices are taking part in employee/employer-run programs. The contractor and the union invest in the apprenticeship program together, and the programs are free to apprentices.
Our instructors have many years of experience as journeypersons in the construction industry. All instructors are government certified tradespersons and/or college or university graduates. Instructors are evaluated and receive training to improve teaching skills.
A full-time training director ensures that apprentices on the job site receive safe and effective training in all necessary skills under the supervision of experienced journeypersons. The sector-specific Local 900 business representatives also help in this regard.
Local 900 delivers both Pre-apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Training. In addition, we offer a full range of safety and skills upgrading courses for our members.
A minimum of grade 10 is required but grade 12 is preferred.
At the LiUNA Local 900 training centre, we offer the Construction Craft Worker (CCW) and the Cement Finisher (CF) apprenticeship.
Classes usually run for six hours per day, five days a week, for 8 weeks (twice in apprenticeship).
Participants must bring their own construction safety boots and hard hats.
Applications are available via email or at LiUNA Local 900 – 895 Ashburn Rd, Saint John, NB, E2K 5J9.
When an employer approaches LiUNA Local 900, we don’t just pick from the top of the dispatch list. Instead, each Business Representative is responsible for dispatching from within his or her group. In the process, they consider factors such as what skills the job requires, where it is, and what it entails. They then match those criteria with our member profiles (and the training you have received!) in order to ensure that the right person is assigned to the right job. This saves employers time and money because it ensures they are only sent the workers who are qualified and ready to work hard.
The Training Center is located at 895 Ashburn Rd, Saint John, NB, E2K 5J9. In addition, we have three instructors that travel throughout New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to deliver training to various locations in person.
All members benefit from a variety of training courses offered by Local 900. Pre-apprentice and apprentice training allows new workers to learn by doing. More experienced members can continually update their skills and certifications with safety training and construction skills upgrading courses.
The Training Centre features classrooms, digitalized curriculum and electronic training aids, a meeting space, and shops outfitted with the latest cutting-edge tools and equipment.
LiUNA Local 900 uses record of training cards or ROTs as an easy way for all active construction members to have quick access to their training records on a smartphone, tablet or computer with Internet access. Our training records are hosted on a secure server and accessed by scanning the QR code on an individual’s specific ROT card.
There are many reasons why you may want to unionize, or “organize” your workplace, such as:
If you and some of your co-workers want to unionize your workplace, you would first meet with a LiUNA Local 900 organizer to discuss your goals, and find out whether LiUNA would be a good fit.
If you and the organizer think you could get majority support from your fellow workers, you would be asked to sign a union membership application card. These cards indicate that employees are interested in forming a union.
If more than 55% of the employees in a workplace sign membership application cards, there is no vote; the union is automatically certified to represent the employees.
LIUNA is dedicated to working with you every step of the way. Local 900 organizers are highly trained and experienced and are committed to supporting and advocating for you. Please call Local 900 at 506-858-1404 or email info@liuna900.ca if you are interested in organizing your workplace or have any questions.
No. When cards are submitted to the Labour Relations Board, an official of the Board checks the signatures against a company-provided sample, in order to verify that the union has legitimately signed up a majority of employees. Your employer will find out how many employees signed cards but will not know exactly who.
No. Threats, intimidation or other “unfair labour practices” are prohibited by New Brunswick labour laws. These unfair labour practices include the following management activities:
If these unfair labour practices occur during a unionization campaign at your workplace, contact your union organizer or representative as soon as possible for support.
Employees may want to unionize in order to enjoy the benefits, rewards, opportunities, representation and protection that come with union membership.
However, LiUNA understands that just because employees want to unionize, doesn’t mean that they dislike or want to get rid of their supervisor, manager or employer. As employees undergo the unionization process, they may be wondering “what happens to my employer when I unionize?”
Once a union gains majority support in a workplace and is certified as the employees’ representative by the Labour Relations Board, the employer is legally obligated to recognize the union and bargain with it. Local 900 representatives strive to create a positive bargaining environment. After consulting with the new members, the union will bargain for a variety of rewards and benefits, such as higher wages or improved benefit coverage. Until a Collective Agreement is reached, there is a statutory freeze of all employment conditions. Some collective agreements are automatically in place when the Union is certified.
It is not a union’s goal to make unreasonable demands or run employers out of business. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. A unionized environment ensures that Employers competing for a job do not submit lowball bids that are financed by underpaying employees. Unions are dedicated to supporting members, protecting their interests, and improving working conditions for all.
In fact, employers also stand to receive benefits from unionization. LiUNA Local 900 is dedicated to providing its signatory employers access to workers who have the necessary skills, education and safety training needed to do a job, and do it right. This is especially important in times of skilled trades shortages.
The Local 900 is proud to play a part in success stories where unionization has provided benefits and rewards for both employees and Employers, building strong foundations for the future.
P.O. Box 783
7 Campbell Street
Moncton, NB
E1C 8N6
506-858-1404
P.O. Box 475
895 Ashburn Rd
Saint John, NB
E2K 5J9
506-633-1700
P.O. Box 85
101 Longworth Avenue
Charlottetown, PEI
C1A 7K2
902-892-4812
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