About the BTA
The BTA is a coalition of 18 affiliated union locals operating in Alberta’s industrial maintenance and other industries. Together, it represents roughly 60,000 unionized skilled trades workers.
The organization traces its history back to August 1, 1906, when the Edmonton Trades and Labour Council applied for and received its charter. From the Edmonton Trades and Labour Council, the Edmonton Building and Construction Trades Council was formed, receiving its charter on July 15 1946. From the Edmonton Building and Construction Trades Council, the Northern Alberta and District of MacKenzie Building and Construction Trades Council was formed and received a charter on March 1st, 1976.
Since its inception, the BTA has facilitated cooperation and coordination across Alberta’s skilled trades unions, built lasting partnerships with contractors and advocated for government policies that benefit unionized maintenance.
Sustaining Excellence and Growth Today
The BTA stands as a pillar of strength and reliability within the industrial maintenance industry. Together, with its incredible partners like the GPMC I NMC, the BTA continues to raise the bar for skills standards and safety protocols in Alberta. The BTA’s affiliates supply an ample workforce of highly trained and dedicated workers who deliver quality results efficiently.
Excellence in safety is a cornerstone of the BTA’s operations, and the results reflect this. Studies show a correlation of high-safety, low-injury performances on BTA union maintenance sites when compared to non-union sites. This success is owed to the stringent safety training members go through, ensuring each tradesperson is well-prepared to do their jobs safely and confidently.
Building the Future Workforce
Today, the maintenance industry faces challenges of an aging workforce and shifting demographics.
The BTA’s Executive Director, Terry Parker, discusses how Alberta’s Building Trades are working to address these issues: “A big priority for us is making sure that we are not only training new apprentices, but that we are retaining them. We are working with our contractor partners to make sure that apprentices, including first and second years, are getting the on-the-job experience they need to advance their careers.”
In addition to training new apprentices, the BTA is working to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. “We are breaking down barriers that have prevented people from the joining the trades. Our subcommittee, Build Together, is doing great work welcoming more women into careers in the trades. Our Path Forward initiative is connecting Indigenous people with the opportunities that the unionized trades offer.”