Quebec plastics industry fights government proposal regarding machinery installations

Through CPIA’s Quebec organization, the province’s plastics industry is mobilizing to fend off a provincial government proposal that would subject the installation, repair and maintenance of production machinery to the regulations that currently apply to the construction industry.

Many manufacturers believe rigid rules governing labor relations in the construction industry would have a negative affect on productivity if applied to manufacturing operations. A number of business associations have formed a coalition to fight the proposal.

CPIA says its members are concerned that these constraints will hamper the versatility and flexibility of work involving production machinery and that they will result in additional costs, both direct and indirect. Some manufacturers are anticipating costs will go up 30%, other cite the possibility of increases nearing 100%.