Monday, March 6, 2023

Ratifications

Locals Local 6 Local 52 Local 53 Newsletters Ontario Construction

BDA Inc.

Local 52 members employed by this Etobicoke-based contractor unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with a 17% total package increase over the term. In addition, the foreperson premium was increased and the out-of-town meal allowance was increased by $18/day.

Besseling Mechanical Inc.

Local 6 members employed by this Hamilton-based mechanical contractor ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with a total package increase of 13% over the term. The new contract also includes increased foreperson premiums.

Chandos Construction Ltd.

Local 52 members employed by this Mississauga-based contractor ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with up to 12% in total package increases over the term. Along with wage increases, the total package includes a 1% increase to employer contributions to retirement savings, improved dental coverage, and an increase of up to $200 per year in the boot and tool allowance. The agreement also includes the addition of a home-based travel zone and an increase to the out-of-town meal allowance to $70.

Clarke Construction Inc.

Local 53 members employed by this Blenheim-based company voted 93% in favour of ratifying a 3-year agreement providing them with a 23.6% wage increase over the term. The wage grid was also amended to reduce the number of years of service to move up the grid. In addition, employer contributions to members’ retirement savings increase 3.8% over the term.

Demo For Your Reno Inc.

Local 52 members employed by this Etobicoke-based demolition company unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing them 11% wage increases and over 13% total package increases. Employer contributions to members’ retirement savings increase 1%. In addition, the daily food allowance increases by $10 and vacation pay increases 1% after a year of service. The agreement also provides 3 paid sick days over the term.

Faugh Electric Inc.

Local 6 members employed by this Kitchener-based electrical contractor unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with total wage increases of $8.08/hr. (16.5%) over the term. Along with significant annual wage increases of 7.5% on April 1, 2023, and 4.5% each following April, the settlement also provides increased pension contributions, improved out-of-town allowances and travel provisions, and an accelerated pay grid for entry level apprentices.

Henry Heyink Construction Ltd.

Local 53 members of this Chatham based contractor unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with a 10% increase to wages and 11% increase to retirement savings over the term. Other improvements include a $100 increase to the annual clothing and boot allowance and a $1/hr. premium increase for pipelayers. In addition, life insurance payout was doubled, and vision coverage increased by $100 every 2 years.

Independent Contractors Association

Local 6 members ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with with a 10% wage increase, an increase to the vacation pay percentage based on years of service, a new boot allowance, and a new supervisor classification. The Independent Contractors Association consists of general contractors Demik Construction Company, G.S. Wark Ltd., Schilthuis Construction Inc., and STF Construction Ltd. Collectively, the companies employ over 100 Local 6 members working as labourers, equipment operators, and carpenters in the Greater Hamilton Area.

J.M.R. Electric Ltd.

Local 53 members employed by this Exeter-based contractor ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with a 15.5% wage increase ($6/hr.) over the term. Other improvements include a 0.25% increase to employer contributions to members’ pension plan, foreperson and lead-hand premiums move from a dollar amount to a premium so they will increase each year, and an increase in the daily food allowance. In addition, the employer will now cover costs for lanyards and harnesses, and weekly overtime pay will now begin after 42 hours instead of 44.

Jasper Constructors Ltd.

Local 52 members employed by this Cambridge-based contractor ratified a 3-year agreement providing total value increases of 18.4% over the term. Along with an immediate 8% increase in hourly pay, the agreement provides additional wage increases in 2024 and 2025, improved vacation pay, increased employer contributions to members’ pension plan, and the introduction of paid sick days. Improved language and increased compensation for travel and parking reimbursement were secured, as well as better provisions surrounding scheduled hours of work and premium pay for overtime. The settlement also defines the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 as an additional statutory holiday observed under the agreement.

L. Fournier et Fils Inc.

Local 52 members employed by this contractor, based in Val-d’Or, ratified their first agreement. The 3-year and 3-month contract provides excellent wage rates, enrolment in an employer-paid CLAC benefits plan, enrolment in the CLAC Pension Plan with 5% employer contributions, 8% vacation pay, and an increase to isolation pay from $4 to $5/hr.. The agreement also includes employer contributions to the union’s training fund, providing access for members to CLAC Training’s many safety and skills courses. The 140 operators, labourers, mechanics, and drivers are working on Greenstone Gold Mine in Geraldton, Ontario, and in Hemlo, Ontario.

MCA Contracting Ltd.

Local 52 members employed by this Sudbury-based contractor unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with a 2% retroactive wage increase followed by 1.5% yearly increases for the remainder of the term. Total pension contributions increase to 6% (3% matching contributions). In addition, yearly incremental increases in benefits were secured as well as an increase to the daily subsistence allowance to $40/day. Two-way travel pay was negotiated for distant projects.

Neighbourhood Electric

Local 53 members employed by this Windsor-based contractor ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with wage increases bringing journeypersons to $39/hr. by year 3. The contract also includes first employer-paid contributions to a pension plan, a boot allowance, and foreperson leadership premiums.

Newcon Electric Inc.

Local 52 members employed by this Milton-based electrical contractor ratified their first agreement. The 3-year contract establishes a full spectrum of union benefits for members including scheduled wage increases, improved healthcare benefits, and contributions to a pension plan. Other notable aspects include vacation pay increases, paid work time for attendance at health and safety training courses, and an improved annual workwear and safety footwear allowance.

O’Connor Electric

The 350 Local 6 electricians and electrical apprentices employed by this Kitchener-based electrical contractor voted 86% in favour of a 3-year agreement that provides journeypersons with total value increases of 15.4% or $8.45/hr. Along with solid hourly pay increases each year over the term, the new agreement also provides for improved coverage for life and vision benefits and improved reimbursement for travel pay. Equally important were special improvements and supports for apprentices.

Postma Concrete Forming

Local 53 members employed by this Wyoming-based ready-mix company unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with a 14.5% wage increase over the term. Employer pension contributions go up 70¢/hr. over the term to $3.50/hr. along with $1 matching contributions. Vision coverage increases from $250 to $350 every 2 years. An additional vacation pay level of 14% was added for members with at least 15 years of service.

Ridgeline Electric Inc.

Local 52 members employed by this Woodbridge-based contractor unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing electricians with a $9/hr. wage increase over the term. In addition, employer contributions to members’ pension plan will increase 3% over the term. Benefits coverage will now be through the CLAC benefits plan and include vision care. An extra $100 toward the purchase of boots and work apparel was also negotiated.

Rutherford Contracting Ltd.

Local 52 members employed by this Aurora-based contractor unanimously ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with wage increases of up to 19% over the term. In addition, employer contributions to members’ retirement savings will increase by 1% in year 3. Increases to the lead-hand and foreperson premiums were also negotiated, and the daily out-of-town meal allowance increases by $8.

Tor-Crete Ltd.

Local 52 members employed by this Scarborough-based ready-mix contractor ratified a 3-year agreement providing truck drivers with an immediate $4/hr. wage increase. Subsequent raises of $1/hr. will apply to each of the remaining contract years. In addition, the agreement includes significant increases to the employer’s hourly pension contributions, improvements to the boot allowance, improved overtime provisions, and more. New paid personal/sick days were added, which is a big breakthrough in an industry that often resists this important change.

VanRooyen Earthmoving Ltd.

Local 53 members employed by this Woodstock-based contractor ratified a 3-year agreement providing them with wage increases ranging between 22 to 33% over the term. In addition, if the Operating Engineers Local 793 London ICI provincial agreement provides total package compensation increases of more than 15.5% over 3 years, the parties agree to a wage opener in year 3 of the agreement to maintain competitiveness. Other improvements include an increase in employer contributions to members’ pension plan to 10%, and vacation pay increases to 8% after 10 years’ service. Life insurance payout increases to $80,000, and vision coverage increases to $350. New improvements include a production and retention bonus retroactive to 2022 and the introduction of 5 paid sick days and 3 paid days for the birth or adoption of a child. The contract also includes a letter of understanding to establish a diversity and inclusion working group.

York Concrete Pumping Inc.

Local 52 pump truck operators employed by this Maple-based ready-mix contractor ratified a 4-year agreement providing them with total compensation increases ranging between $8.64 and $8.91/hr. (depending on length-of-service) over the term. The biggest portion of the gains will be applied immediately. In addition, overtime provisions have been improved, as have hours-of-work provisions, which will reduce the number of unwanted short workdays. Longer-term employees will also see improved vacation pay.

Ratifications

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