Kahnawake Workforce Inclusion Plan officially announced today

06/07/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) announced today the Kahnawà:ke Workforce Inclusion Plan (‘Inclusion Plan’) for the purposes of maximizing the number of Kahnawà:ke workers on the new Champlain Bridge project.

It has been projected that the second half of 2016 will require a significant number of ironworkers and other construction-related tradespersons. The contractor, Signature on the St. Lawrence (SSL), has demonstrated its desire to hire Kahnawà:ke ironworkers on this major project.

“Signature of the St. Lawrence is glad to be collaborating with the Kahnawà:ke Mohawks for the construction of the new Champlain Bridge,” said Hugh Boyd, SSL’s Project Director.

“It is basically our responsibility to make sure that any qualified worker who wants to work on the new Champlain Bridge will get that opportunity,” said Ratsénhaienhs Carl Horn. “We have been told that they (the contractor) could use as many good Kahnawà:ke ironworkers as they can get.”

“We’ve been working together with Tewatohnhi’saktha and the Kahnawà:ke Labor Office on various aspects of the project, such as qualifications and intake for interested workers,” he added. “Our plan is to provide assistance for everything from extra training to coordinating with the CCQ to recognize candidates’ qualification.”

The Inclusion Plan has been approved by both the contractor and the Kahnawà:ke working group, which includes the MCK, Tewatohnhi’saktha, the Office of the Council of Chiefs, the Kahnawà:ke Labor Office and the Consultation Committee. The Inclusion Plan will shortly be available for viewing at www.kahnawake.com.