As discussions intensify around the recently announced Churchill Falls Memorandum of Understanding, The NL Federation of Labour is calling on the provincial government to develop a long-term, comprehensive strategy addressing the workforce requirements for the proposed large-scale projects.

President, Jessica McCormick, emphasized the need for collaboration, stating planning must being immediately and stating in order to be effective, any labour strategy must be worker-led and worker-focused.

McCormick also stressed the importance of investing in education and training: “The provincial government must properly engage with, fund, and support the K-12 and post-secondary education systems to ensure workers can access the education, training, upskilling, and professional development needed for these projects’ diverse labour demands. This plan must also consider labour needs beyond these four specific projects. Furthermore, all associated benefits agreements must prioritize ensuring that our province, our workers, and our communities are the primary beneficiaries.”