Earlier this week, I received a copy of a new collective agreement between the Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta and Local 424 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
The new 4-year agreement replaces the previous 2-year agreement, which expired last April.
Electrical workers covered by this new agreement can expect to see 3 increases to wages during the life of the contract.
| Previous wage | $55.35 |
| 2 weeks after ratification | $56.95 |
| 6 months after ratification | $58.59 |
| 2 May 2027 | $60.26 |
| 7 May 2028 | $61.98 |
The above rates are the base pay rate for journey-level workers—pay for all other positions is relative to this pay. For example, first-year apprentices make 50% what a journey-level worker does, and a general foreman makes the same as the journey-level workers plus $10.
That’s a combined total increase to wages of 12%, or an average of 3% per year.
The new contract will affect over 4,000 electrical workers throughout the province, including electricians, power systems electricians, welders, instrument technicians, linemen, and equipment operators. It will expire in April 2029.
Here are some highlights of other changes to the collective agreement.
The pay differential for shift work has increased from $3.50 per hour to $4.00 per hour but will be bumped up to $4.50 in May.
Transportation pay has increased from 65¢ a kilometre to 69¢ a kilometer, but will increase to 70¢ in May.
Travel allowance to remote sites has also increased:
| Distance | Previous | May 2025 | May 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 200 km | $110 | $116 | $118 |
| 201–300 km | $156 | $166 | $168 |
| 301–375 km | $188 | $200 | $203 |
| 376–475 km | $280 | $297 | $301 |
| over 475 km | $429 | $455 | $461 |
Rotational leave allowance has also increased.
| Distance | Previous | May 2025 | May 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300–475 km | $217 | $231 | $234 |
| over 475 km | $390 | $414 | $420 |
Per diems have increased for work done in the following communities:
| Previous | New | |
|---|---|---|
| Athabasca | $150 | $170 |
| Bonnyville | $150 | $180 |
| Calgary/Edmonton | — | $180 |
| Camrose | $120 | $185 |
| Canmore/Exshaw | $155 | $195 |
| Caroline | $140 | $125 |
| Cold Lake | $150 | $165 |
| Drumheller | $155 | $180 |
| Edson | $150 | $175 |
| Forestburg | $135 | $130 |
| Fort McMurray | $195 | $200 |
| Fox Creek | $150 | $170 |
| Grande Cache | $150 | $160 |
| Grande Prairie | $150 | $205 |
| Hanna | $150 | $185 |
| Hardisty/Wainwright | $155 | $170 |
| Hinton | $150 | $160 |
| Lethbridge | — | $185 |
| Lloydminster | $160 | $180 |
| Medicine Hat | $140 | $170 |
| Peace River | $165 | $185 |
| Pincher Creek/Waterton | $140 | $160 |
| Red Deer | $135 | $165 |
| Rocky Mountain House | $150 | $190 |
| Stettler | $120 | $190 |
| Swan Hills | $115 | $150 |
| Vermillion | $150 | $180 |
| Wabasca | — | $200 |
| Whitecourt | $150 | $155 |
The employer will now be responsible for providing suitable masks in the event that the Alberta chief medical officer declares a requirement for breathing protection.
The insurance benefit plan contributions paid by the employer will increase from $2.20 an hour to $2.55 an hour. Next year, they will increase to $2.65 an hour and again in 2028 to $2.75 an hour.
Pension fund contributions from the employer will decrease, from $6.35 an hour to $5.85 an hour. Next year, they will drop to $5.70 an hour and down to $5.55 an hour in 2028.
Employer contributions to the electrical industry education plan will increase from 60¢ an hour to 75¢ an hour. By the end of the agreement, they will have increased to 85¢ an hour.
The ratification vote was held virtually between 12 March and 16 March. About 44% of IBEW members participated in the ratification process, and of those, 72% voted in favour of the proposed agreement.
