Earlier this month, Alberta Mediation Services published their April 2026 Bargaining Update.
The monthly report provides information about the unionized workforce, primarily in Alberta.
Information published in this month’s report is based on the details from 28 collective bargaining agreements they received last month. Those agreements collectively covered over 3,300 workers, most of which were in the public sector.
The private sector submitted 17 collective agreements for over 980 workers, and the public sector submitted 11 agreements for 2,330 workers.
Three of the private sector agreements were for the same employer: Calgary Exhibition & Stampede. They covered 50 workers represented by 3 unions:
- Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers, Local 2103
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 254
- United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, Local 496
Local 254 ratified their new 2-year collective agreement back in March, while the other two locals ratified their 3-year agreements last month, two days apart.
Wage increases are similar to those seen in public sector agreements over the last year or so: 3% per year. Except Local 2103 will get an extra half a percent in their first year.
| Carpenters | IBEW | Plumbers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 3.50% | 3.00% | 3.00% |
| 2nd year | 3.00% | 3.00% | 3.00% |
| 3rd year | 3.00% | N/A | 3.00% |
Here are some highlights of other changes to these collective agreements.
Carpenters, Local 2103
The following clause was added to the collective agreement:
8.7 When approved by the carpentry superintendent or the manager of park operations, a part-time employee working a fortnight schedule, may work their regularly scheduled earned day off and bank that time at their regular rate up to a maximum balance of 40 hours.
Any banked EDO balances remaining at the time of notice must be scheduled and taken during the employee’s termination notice period.
Pension contributions from the employer will increase from 3.5% to 5.0% of the base hourly rate. The combined employer—worker contribution will increase from $3.62 an hour at the end of the previous contract to $4.00 as of last October, $4.25 this October, and $4.50 in October 2027.
Superintendents and supervisors will have their wage rates increased to 112% and 108% of journey-level rates, up from 110% and 105% in the last contract.
Part-time workers called to a job but do not get any work will be paid the equivalent of 3 hours wages. It was 2 hours in the previous collective agreement.
Bereavement leave has been expanded to include special consideration for “any other person whose association with the employee was similar to” family relationships.
Lead hands must now be a journeyperson. Previously, it was just superintendents and supervisors.
The following definitions were added to the collective agreement:
17.4 Lead Hand: The person on site who sets the pace, assigns daily tasks and guides the crew, but does not have full supervisory or managerial authority like a supervisor or superintendent.
Supervisor: A Supervisor ii an employee who has primary responsibility and authority to plan, direct, coordinate, and control maintenance and construction activities, and who exercises independent judgment in matters affecting safety, quality, schedule, cost, and workforce direction.
Superintendent: A Superintendent is a senior supervisor responsible for overseeing the daily operations of maintenance and construction projects. Responsibilities bridge the gap between project management teams, consultants, stakeholders and other trade groups ensuring that work is completed safely, on time, and to specification.
Footwear allowance has increased from $105 annually or $250 every two years to $200 annually and $400 every two years.
IBEW, Local 254
Footwear allowance has increased from $105 per year and $250 every two years to $200 and $400, respectively.
Under the previous collective agreement, workers who lost their job would have their record of employment submitted to the government within 48 hours. That has increased to 5 calendar days.
Full-time workers can now carry over accrued vacation hours into the next year, but only until the pay period that contains 1 April. Any unused hours will be paid out.
The definition of a family member, for the purposes of bereavement leave, has been expanded from:
parent, spouse, or child
to
spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, daughter-in-law, son-inlaw, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, or brother-in-law.
As well, “special consideration will also be given to any other person whose association with the employee was similar to any of the above relationships”.
Show-up time pay has been increased from 2 hours to 3 hours for those who show up to work but ends up not being needed that day. This is for limited term and seasonal workers.
The following clauses was added to the agreement:
13.7 A temporary journeyperson lead hand may be designated in writing by management from time to time in order to meet business need and shall be paid 105% of the journeyperson rate while so designated.
The union health and welfare fund will increase from $2.15 an hour to $2.20 an hour, but the Stampeded will still be covering only $2.00 of that.
Plumbers, Local 496
Under the previous collective agreement, workers who lost their job would have their record of employment submitted to the government within 48 hours. That has increased to 5 calendar days.
Calgary Stampede has agreed to contribute 1.5% of base pay to an RRSP for all full-time workers.
Bereavement leave has been expanded to include 2 additional days for out-of-town travel. As well, “special consideration will also be given to any other person whose association with the employee was similar to” family relationships.
Footwear allowance has increased from $105 per year and $250 per year to $200 and $400 respectively.
