Kahnawake Workforce Inclusion Plan officially announced today

06/07/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) announced today the Kahnaw�:ke Workforce Inclusion Plan (�Inclusion Plan�) for the purposes of maximizing the number of Kahnaw�: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 Kahnaw�:ke ironworkers on this major project.

�Signature of the St. Lawrence is glad to be collaborating with the Kahnaw�: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 Rats�nhaienhs Carl Horn. �We have been told that they (the contractor) could use as many good Kahnaw�:ke ironworkers as they can get.�

�We�ve been working together with Tewatohnhi�saktha and the Kahnaw�: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 Kahnaw�:ke working group, which includes the MCK, Tewatohnhi�saktha, the Office of the Council of Chiefs, the Kahnaw�:ke Labor Office and the Consultation Committee. The Inclusion Plan will shortly be available for viewing at www.kahnawake.com.