Welcome to Merit Contractors’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Merit Contractors’ Association is the voice of the open shop construction industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
We advocate on behalf of our members who are open shop contractors and their employees.
Merit's philosophy is to take a progressive approach to human resources management. Quite simply, we advocate that if an employer looks after his or her employees, treats them well and with respect, his or her employees will be content, productive and loyal. Therefore, Merit's mandate is to provide human resources solutions for open shop construction contractors and their employees such as a comprehensive benefit plan, excellent working conditions, access to all construction sites, meaning and practical training programs, retirement programs, job search assistance, and more.
The term “open shop” describes a workplace where membership or non-membership in a union is not a condition of employment. In construction contracting, it especially refers to a situation where owners, architects, developers, construction managers and/or general contractors or others do not consider the union status of a contractor’s employees when awarding a construction contract. For Merit members, the term connotes freedom of choice and fairness in the workplace.
Nearly 80% of the construction industry in this province today is comprised of open shop personnel. That figure is comparable with the rest of Canada. In essence, Merit Contractors’ Association speaks for the smaller company, which comprise the majority of companies construction in the construction industry. However, whether a contractor has three employees or 300, his or her company can be a member of Merit Contractors’ Association.
For information on Merit's Benefit Plans, please click here to link to Mercon Benefit Services' web site.
Merit Benefits video now online!