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It’s evident from the outcome that our method was successful.
Through working together as a unit, not only did we maintain our
Collective Agreements with the City, but LiUNA Local 506 also
secured a Collective Agreement. The MCSTC also had a huge win
in continuing their Collective Agreements. We also maintained our
status with Toronto Community Housing Corporation.
Standing up to support what we believe in is what defines us. We
know our strength is in our numbers and in our solidarity. We need
to remember this, and not just in the bad times when we are faced
with adversity. By learning to put aside our differences and
knowing that we are all working toward a common goal, we can
propel ourselves toward our objectives and make great strides in
our industry. The secret lies in working together and not at cross-
purposes. Although we are proud of all we have achieved in
fighting against it, Bill 66 was a catalyst in many ways for us to
see that we need to accept each other as Brothers and Sisters
and not as adversaries. Bill 66 has shown us what we already
know: we are stronger together than apart.

Premier Ford and Minister Fullerton with Hammer Heads at UA Local 46 March 2019 The COBT and our affiliates aren’t just talking about making
change, we’re rolling up our sleeves and making it happen through
We would strongly encourage and appeal to other Local and
our investment in Hammer Heads by turning the under-resourced
Provincial Councils to look at how they can get involved in a social
youth of today into the skilled construction workers of tomorrow.
procurement plan with government at all levels as Hammer Heads
has truly opened doors for us and will continue to do so. Through
Hammer Heads, we were able to lay the groundwork to connect
with all City Councillors, regardless of their individual political
leanings, and this is what helped us to turn the corner with Bill
66. Hammer Heads is what facilitated the great relationship we
have developed with Mayor Tory and Toronto City Council. Without
his leadership and the support of a majority of Councillors, we
would not have achieved such a successful outcome. Having the
support of the Mayor enabled us to secure meetings with many
of the Councillors, particularly Councillors who haven’t traditionally
aligned with us. We take this opportunity to also thank the
following Councillors who voted in favour of our membership:
Ainslie, Bailao, Bradford, Carroll, Colle, Crawford, Cressy, Fletcher,
Grimes, Lai, Layton, Matlow, McKelvie, Nunziata, Pasternak,
Perks, Perruzza, Tory and Wong-Tam, as well as Councillors
As always, Brother Peter Reed remains an integral part of the
Thompson and Karygiannis in support but unable to vote.
COBT, coming to various meetings, conventions and always
Lessons learned: it is very important to reiterate that Bill 66 interacting with Hammer Heads. You can see in this photo Peter
forced us to meet and engage with City Councillors who are is with our Hammer Heads Group 34 at Elevators Local 50’s
outside the realm of what is considered to be the conventional Training Centre. I’d also like to announce that we will be holding
Building Trades’ allies. There are organizations and entities that the 2nd Annual COBT Bowl with Peter Reed on Monday, October
have only developed certain relationships which, in a situation 28th to raise money for Peter and his children. If you are
such as this, did not assist the Building Trades and we need to interested in registering a team or sponsoring a lane, please
move away from that line of thinking and branch out to engage contact Laura Murphy at lmurphy@cobtrades.com or 416-449-
with all political figures at every level of government. We cannot 5115, ext. 221.
afford to box ourselves in and to rely only on the comfortable
relationships we have enjoyed to date. We encourage local
affiliates to reach out beyond our comfort zones to engage in and
cultivate relationships with those who can assist us in expanding
our industry and moving it forward. We cannot allow ourselves to
be cut off from those who may have a different view as our
experience shows us that elected officials do change their views
when they see the value of your contributions to the economy of
this province. Without dialogue, it’s hard to change that view.

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