Earlier this month, Alberta Mediation Services published their bargaining update for August 2026, which covers all the collective agreement settlement information received by Mediation Services in last month.
This information included 31 bargaining relationships encompassing 3,645 workers. Of those, 16 were private sector and 15 were public sector, with 2,130 and 1,515 workers respectively.
One of the private sector agreements was for workers employed by Alberta Exchanger.
These 2 dozen or so workers are members of Lodge 146 of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers, otherwise known as The Boilermakers.
Alberta Exchanger Ltd. is an Edmonton-based manufacturing firm that specializes in fabrication, repair, refurbishment, and field service of pressure equipment.
The workers in the agreement are all production and maintenance workers performing fabrication and repair work in Alberta Exchanger’s shop. They include welders, machinists, boilermakers, steel fabricators, crane operators, production workers, helpers, and various apprentices.
Their previous collective agreement expired last month. This new agreement was ratified on 11 August 2026, just 3 days before the old one expired. It is the second agreement since becoming certified as a bargaining unit in September 2022.
The workers will received a 12% wage increase over the course of the new 3-year contract, which expires in August 2029.
| 15 August 2026 | 5.00% |
| 15 August 2027 | 4.00% |
| 15 August 2028 | 3.00% |
| 12.00% |
That is not as impressive as the 17% they got in their previous contract, but that included a 13% increase in the first year to help offset skyrocketing inflation in 2022 and 2023. Plus, it was also their first contract after being certified as a bargaining unit.
Most public sector unions are getting 12% over 3 years, which is an average of 3% per year. These workers will be averaging 4% per year.
By the end of the contract, no worker will be making under $20 an hour, including student workers and beginner workers. Every position except level 2 helpers and 1st year apprentices will make over $30 an hour.
Here are some other changes over the previous agreement.
Alberta Exchanger agreed to increase the amount they pay into the Boilermakers’ National Health Plan. In the previous agreement, they paid $385 per worker per month. Now, it will be $440 per worker per month.
The principal for accidental death and dismemberment has increased from $75,000 to $100,000. As well, the 50% reduction at 65 years of age was removed from the agreement, and there is no longer a termination at retirement. There is no longer a termination at retirement for life insurance either.
The 50% reimbursement for paramedical (such as chiropractic, speech therapy, podiatrist, and naturopath) has changed to 100% reimbursement. The $300 annual maximum is still in place though.
Alberta Exchanger will stop paying pension contributions to the Boilermakers’ National Pension Plan on behalf of workers who are 71 years of age or older. Those pension contributions will be redirected as a wage premium directly to the worker instead. This was not in the previous agreement.
Pension contributions from the employer increased last month from $3.00 per worker per hour to $3.25 per worker per hour. Next summer, they will increase to $3.45 an hour, and they will increase to $3.60 an hour in 2028.
