U.S. Pipeline Contractors Association And Unions Pledge Their Support For Keystone XL Project

CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- TransCanada Corporation (TransCanada) (TSX, NYSE: TRP) today is pleased to announce a Project Labor Agreement for a significant portion of U.S. construction of the proposed US$7 billion Keystone Gulf Coast Expansion Pipeline Project (Keystone XL). The agreement will provide TransCanada with a capable, well-trained and ready workforce in the U.S. to construct Keystone XL. During construction, the project is expected to create over seven million hours of labor and over 13,000 new jobs for American workers.

The Project Labor Agreement is with the Laborers International Union of North America, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, AFL-CIO, the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Pipeline Contractors Association.

"The proposed Keystone XL pipeline will have a significant impact on the North American economy through the thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs it is creating," says Russ Girling, TransCanada president and chief executive officer. "This project is entirely paid for with private sector dollars and is shovel ready."

"It's our job to weld sections of Keystone Pipeline that will extend miles underground, across several states and transport hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil daily for decades to come," said William Hite, General President of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, AFL-CIO.  "It's the vision and competence of TransCanada in the U.S. that provides our skilled local workforce with the means to perform the trade they have been taught while contributing to their communities.  We are proud to be a part of the collaboration that is Keystone Pipeline."

"An ambitious project of this scope, spanning over five states and employing thousands of American construction workers, will unequivocally help remedy the struggles of our country's working families." said International Union of Operating Engineers General President Vincent J. Giblin.  "History has proven time and time again that infrastructure projects, such as this, lead to the resurgence  of our nation's economy and the ripple effects are far-reaching. The IUOE is proud to be part of the Keystone XL pipeline and our operating engineers throughout the Midwest are ready to provide TransCanada with the skill, professionalism and pride this project requires."   

"This illustrates how PLAs are a win-win for employers, for working men and women and for our communities and our countries," said Terry O'Sullivan, General President of LIUNA.    "The partnership between TransCanada and workers and their unions will create good family-supporting jobs, while helping business and our countries compete."

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