Monday, August 10, 2026

Premier Horticulture Workers End Strike, Ratifying New Four-Year Contract

WINNIPEG—Members of Construction Workers Union CLAC Local 152 have ratified a new collective agreement with Premier Horticulture, ending strike action by peat moss workers at the company’s Manitoba operations.

The agreement was approved by 77 percent of voting members on August 8, following three rounds of rejected contract proposals, a strike mandate, and a three-day strike that began after nearly a year of negotiations. The parties reached a tentative agreement on August 6.

Negotiations to renew the previous six-year collective agreement began in August 2025. Key issues included wages and the length of the new agreement. During bargaining, the parties also negotiated an essential services agreement under new legislation that prohibits employers from using replacement workers during a strike or lockout.

The new agreement achieves workers’ key bargaining objective of securing a contract term of no more than four years. It also includes an additional wage increase for all employees upon ratification.

The new agreement achieves many improvements, including retroactive wage increases and securing a contract term of no more than four years, which was a key bargaining objective for the members.

“Strike action is always a last resort, but our members were clear that they could not accept another long-term agreement,” said Geoff Dueck Thiessen, CLAC Regional Director in Winnipeg.

“After experiencing years of high inflation under the previous six-year contract, workers wanted greater certainty and the ability to return to the bargaining table sooner if economic conditions change. By standing together, they secured a four-year agreement and additional wage increases. We’re proud of the determination, respect, and professionalism they showed throughout this process.”

Premier Horticulture employees represented by CLAC Local 152 harvest peat moss from bogs and package the product at the company’s facility near Richer, Manitoba.

Premier Horticulture Workers End Strike, Ratifying New Four-Year Contract

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