Your Ticket to Better Wages, Benefits & More Power!

Members of our three unions enjoy higher wages, better benefits, more training opportunities and experienced representation. Our unions are democratic, which means YOU determine what is given priority in your collective agreement.

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Members in B.C
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Members in North America
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Safer Work Places
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Strong Unions
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———— ABOUT

Who is Tel Group?

The TEL Group is a group of three trade unions whose members have built the British Columbia road network and many other major infrastructure projects across the province.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Local 213
(close to 10,000 members)


International Union of Operating Engineers
Local 115
(over 14,000 members)


Labourers’ International Union of North America
Local 1611
(over 10,000 members)

Together, our total North American membership is over two million members, over 32,000 of which are here in B.C. That gives us collective strength and resources that get trade workers better workplace agreements: better pay, better benefits, and safer worksites.

———— LOCATIONS

Where do TEL Group members work?

TEL Group members have built the B.C. road network and other major public infrastructure projects for decades. These projects create good, local, safe, unionized jobs and provide critical investments in communities.

Some examples of TEL Group-built projects and current/future worksites include:

Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Extension 


Pattullo Bridge Replacement


George Massey Tunnel Replacement


Highway 1 Kamloops to Alberta


Highway 5 Flood Recovery


Kicking Horse Canyon

———— FORMING A UNION

Why are unionized jobs better?

Unionized jobs offer lots of advantages to workers and their communities.

Higher wages and benefits
Unionized workers earn higher wages and have better benefits compared to non-unionized workers in similar roles. This includes health-care coverage and retirement benefits for workers and their families. Not only do families with this kind of support and financial stability spend money that supports the local economy, they also have the resources and capacity to give back to their communities.
Safer worksites
A study from the Ontario Construction Secretariat found that unionized job sites are 31% safer than non-union sites. That means workers are less likely to get hurt on the job and miss valuable work time due to injuries. For the public, it means fewer WorkSafeBC claims and fewer costs to public support programs.
Better working conditions
In addition to worksite safety, unions advocate for improved working conditions like set hours, rest breaks, and time off on weekends. Not only that, if workers are asked to work overtime they get paid fairly for it. This ensures that workers are able to stay healthy, spend time with their families, and give back to their communities.
Job security
Union contracts include provisions for job security, protecting workers from arbitrary dismissal or layoffs. Reliable jobs are important because they ensure families have financial stability. That financial stability means less government support, less crime, and higher education levels.
Collective bargaining power
Unionized workers negotiate collectively, giving them stronger bargaining power with employers to secure all of the important conditions listed above. The more good jobs that are available, the healthier our communities will be.
Democratic Representations
Our unions are democratic, which means YOU determine what is given priority in your collective agreement.
Workers are paving asphalt on a busy urban roadway. The scene shows multiple crew members in reflective gear using tools for an efficient road restoration project.

———— TAKE ACTION

I’m interested in joining a union!
How do I do that?

Forming a union is your legal right, and it is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As unions are democratic, there is a process that must be followed to unionize your workplace.

Get in touch with an organizer
This is the first step. Your organizer will work with you on a winning strategy, answer your questions, and address any concerns. Think of your organizer as your all-around support throughout this process.
Sign a union card

A majority of workers must sign a confidential union card in order to advance the process. Signing a union card is like signing a petition. The more workers who sign a card, the more powerful your demands for change will be.

SIGN THE UNION CARD
File for Union Certification
If between 45 and 55 per cent of workers sign a union card, the BC Labour Relations Board will conduct an election to determine whether the majority of workers at a job site support unionizing. If more than 55 per cent of workers sign a union card, there is no need for a separate certification vote, and the workers move on to bargaining their first collective agreement with the support of their chosen union.

———— SPEAK WITH AN ORGANIZER

Get in touch

Thinking about a job in the trades? Already working but want to make sure you’re being treated fairly? TEL Group has your back.

Get in touch now! A TEL Group representative will be happy to answer your questions.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 213

Name: Kevin Calla
Tel: 778-242-2277

International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115


Name: Tyson Boyce
Tel: 604-831-1559

Labourers’ International Union of North America, Local 1611

Name: Oscar Sanchez
Tel: 604-340-6094