KITCHENER - Conservative MPP Michael Harris received city council's endorsement this week for his proposed amendment to provincial labour law.

The Kitchener-Conestoga MPP's private member's bill calls for a change to the Labour Relations Act that he says will close a legal loophole that can block open bidding on municipal construction projects once a union has certified municipal employees.

Locally, Waterloo Region is presently battling a certification bid by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners as the union tries to certify regional employees as members.

If successful, all carpentry work performed for regional government would have to go to members of that union, whether as regional employees or contractors. Non-union businesses or members of other unions would not be allowed to bid on projects.

A similar scenario already exists in Kitchener when it comes to masonry work.

Calling them unfair labour monopolies, Harris said such scenarios reduce competition by excluding otherwise-eligible bidders and can greatly increase costs to municipalities, and therefore taxpayers.

The carpenters' union has previously rejected claims that costs could rise substantially.

It's not a union or a non-union issue, Harris told Kitchener council.

"It is truly an issue of fairness."

Harris' bill would ensure open bidding on construction projects for municipalities and school boards.

Harris said his proposal has the support of a number of municipalities and organizations, including the Large Urban Mayor's Caucus of Ontario and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, along with the Christian Labour Association of Canada union.

"This is an important bill," said Coun. Yvonne Fernandes, who moved the motion to support Harris' Fair and Open Tendering Act.

"I think it will open an opportunity for a democratic process."

Bill Myers, who works for the carpenters' union as a dispatcher, cautioned councillors that the issue may be more complicated than it first appears. "I feel (Harris' bill) is anti-labour, and certainly anti-local labour."

Coun. Frank Etherington asked his colleagues to defer their vote until local labour representatives had an opportunity to express their views to council, but was defeated.

Coun. Zyg Janecki said the current labour law allows for discrimination against non-union companies. Closing the loophole would ensure fairness to all.

"In the end, it's not the city that benefits, it's the taxpayers."

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Added Coun. Dan Glenn-Graham: "We're gaining a level playing field."

While many private member's bills do not become law, Harris said he's optimistic. He expects his bill to be debated at Queen's Park on Sept. 19.