Thursday, April 18, 2024 AEL Employees Ratify New Contract Providing Sizable Wage Gains Locals Local 68 Ratifications Sectors Construction Merritt, BC—Employees of AEL, a Division of Emcon Services Inc., based in Merritt, BC, ratified a five-year collective agreement providing them with sizable wage gains and other improvements. The employees are represented by Construction and Allied Workers Union, CLAC Local 68. The union has represented them since 2000. The new contract provides employees with significant market rate increases ranging from 7.5 to 20 percent in the first year. In addition, employer contributions to employees’ retirement savings increase by 25 cents per hour and to employees’ benefits premiums by 9 cents per hour. Employees’ safety boot allowance increases to $200 per year. “The union bargaining committee did a good job of identifying members’ needs and negotiating with the employer to achieve them,” says Jim Oostenbrink, regional director of the union’s Kelowna Member Centre. “We’re pleased the new contract was endorsed by the membership. It provides our members and the company with security and certainty over the next five years.” AEL provides traffic control and snow clearing services throughout the Merritt region, Quesnel, West Kelowna, and Vancouver Island. The company employs 40 traffic control personnel, labourers, snow truck operators, and mechanics. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026