TransCanadalabor Groups Are Set To Sign A Deal With Energy East

TransCanada claims it has come to a consensus with four major labor unions and a national association that represents pipeline contractors and construction workers regarding the company’s proposed Energy East pipeline project.

Information about the agreement which the company described as “employment for thousands of Canadian workers,” are to be announced at an event in Ottawa Thursday.

Russ Girling, the TransCanada CEO is poised to sign a “significant memorandum of understanding” in Ottawa with representatives from:

• Laborers’ International Union of North America.
• Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada.
• United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA).
• International Union of Operating Engineers.
• Teamsters Canada.

Up to 1.1 million barrels a day of western crude will be carried by the $15.7 billion Energy East pipeline to the east to benefit domestic refineries and international customers.

The project would  utilize the current TransCanada pipeline as far east as Montreal and require the development of 1,600 kilometers of new pipeline, including a long segment that would go through Quebec toward the south shore of New Brunswick.

TransCanada Corp.’s proposed pipeline project, which would carry 1.1 million barrels a day from Alberta through Quebec to Saint John, N.B. (Canadian Press)

The National Energy Board looks to hold public hearings to hear the views of people in communities directly along the proposed route as part of its review of Energy East

The first public session is set to be held in Saint John on Aug 8.