Natural Resources
September 8, 2011
Provincial Government Provides Special Project Order for Hebron
The Provincial Government has approved a Special Project Order (SPO) for the construction phase of the Hebron Project at the Bull Arm Site, in accordance with Section 70 of the Labour Relations Act.
“A Special Project Order is a tool that the Provincial Government can provide to facilitate the construction of mega projects in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency. “The order is designed to provide labour relations stability for the duration of the project and establish a labour relations regime that is uniquely tailored to the requirements of Newfoundland and Labrador’s fourth stand alone offshore oil project. Labour stability is a key component of the timely, successful completion of any construction project, especially one of this magnitude. The collective agreement negotiated by the parties and the issuance of this SPO is a good indicator of the positive labour relations climate in Newfoundland and Labrador and our common resolve to support economic growth here at home.”
The SPO provides labour relations stability for the duration of the construction project and sanctions the collective agreement negotiated between the Hebron Project Employers’ Association Inc. and the Resource Development Trades Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. In doing so, the SPO establishes a unique labour relations regime for this project and confirms the parties’ commitment to no strikes or lock outs throughout the construction period. The order also acknowledges the commitment contained in the Hebron Benefits Agreement with respect to the development of a Gender Equity and Diversity Program.
“I am pleased with the progress being made on the Hebron project, and the news that early work and site preparation will commence in the near future,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Natural Resources. “The start-up of construction activity is great news for workers and employers who will be able to take advantage of our resource rich economy, and showcase our facilities and expertise to build world-class developments, such as the Hebron project. This phase is expected to create 4.1 million person hours of construction employment. Once construction work begins on the Gravity-Based Structure, work onsite is expected to last five years, providing valuable opportunities for the province’s skilled trade workers.”
The Hebron project, located approximately 350 kilometres offshore the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a joint venture among the province’s energy corporation, Nalcor, on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Chevron Canada, ExxonMobil Canada, Petro-Canada and StatoilHydro Canada. During the total construction period for the Hebron project, full-time direct employment at the Bull Arm Site is expected to peak at 3,000 employees.
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Media contacts:
| Bradley Power Director of Communications Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment 709-729-0753, 699-5707 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
2011 09 08 9:30 a.m.