The job market is hot in western Canada. Pipeline jobs are being offered to U.S. Vets. Why?

[applegrove]

Last edited Sun Jul 8, 2012, 01:47 AM - Edit history (2)

http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2012-Articles/CANADA-WANTS-U-S-VETERANS-FOR-PIPELINE-WORK/

I think it is to circumvent the hot wages Canadians are making out west. People get paid $25 to $35 an hour to work in construction in Edmonton. So they are bringing in 'guest workers' now. Why don't the pipeline builders like the free market where employment is concerned? I thought the market was everything to those corporate types. Seems they only like the 'market' when it goes in their favour.

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/labour/employment_standards/contracts/schedule/alberta/edmonton/schedule.shtml

[PDJane]

1. No. As long as they are working here, in Canada, legally, they are under our laws.

However, the area is toxic and violent. Plus, of course, the Albertans are very much like the US; the rest of us consider it sort of like the Canadian Texas. (That's partly a joke, but only partly.) They do have some historic grievances, but I might point out that the rest of Canada suffered under the same problems at the time!

[applegrove]

2. I'm sure they sign a contract paying them less than the going wage for Alberta oil workers before

they arrive.

[Arctic Dave]

3. They do the same thing in the oilfield in Alaska.

It is no surprise that half the workers are from " at will, right to work and illegal workers states". The infuriating thing is that they don't realize why they have to come here to make a decent wage all the while voting for fuckface repugs.

[applegrove]

4. You are right. A lot of them will be voting for Mitt even as the corporation goes outside the market

to hire 'guest workers'. Even if they make $18/an hour they are being exploited.

Here is a table that lists what workers are earning in Alberta:

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/labour/employment_standards/contracts/schedule/alberta/edmonton/schedule.shtml