OUR STORY
The Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) was formed in 1993 to represent the collective interests of the unionized construction industry in Ontario’s industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction sector.
Following the switch to province-wide, single trade bargaining, the Minister of Labour commissioned Professor George Adams to review the process and provide recommendations on how it could be improved. The Adams’ Report suggested the formation of a central body to administer the collection and analysis of construction collective bargaining data, as well as any other relevant industry data. Adams’ believed this body should be required to convene yearly industry meetings and issue regular reports to better inform the bargaining parties and increase opportunities for understanding and cooperation. Two years after the report’s release, the OCS was formed.
Our legislated mandate is to facilitate collective bargaining in, and otherwise assist, the industrial, commercial, and institutional sector of construction including:
- Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information concerning collective bargaining and economic conditions in the industrial, commercial, and institutional sector of the construction industry;
- Holding conferences involving representatives of the employer bargaining agencies and the employee bargaining agencies; and
- Promote the advancement of the unionized construction industry in Ontario.
Throughout our 30 years of history, we have strived to exceed these expectations and continue to do so today.
OUR VISION
We envision contractors partnered with building trades unions as the preferred choice for industrial, commercial, and institutional construction.
OUR MISSON
Our mission is to inspire industry leaders to work as partners to strengthen labour-management relationships, to build industry knowledge and awareness, and to promote the building trade union advantage.
Our Values
Our core values are:
- Collaboration: Working with our stakeholders to achieve common goals.
- Communication: Clear, open, and effective communication with all our partners.
- Credibility: Reliable research that is backed by facts and supports decision-making across the industry.
- Integrity: Committing to transparency, honesty, and accountability in all that we do.
- Partnership: Fostering relationships throughout the unionized ICI sector to push the industry forward.
- Knowledge: Continuing to learn, innovate, and share what we know with our community.
WHAT WE DO
Check out the insights tab to learn more about what is currently going on in the industry or look into what events we are currently hosting to strengthen the industry and be sure to login to gain access to members only industry reports and analysis.
