Last month, the Mediation Services department of Alberta Jobs, Economy, and Trade published the May 2026 Bargaining Update.
This monthly report provides information about the unionized workforce, primarily in Alberta. In May, Mediation Services received settlement information regarding 14 private sector and 13 public sector bargaining settlements, covering 1,517 and 2,421 workers respectively.
Among those settlements was a contract for about 15 workers employed by Foothills Steel Foundry.
Based out of Calgary, Foothills Steel Foundry designs and engineers cast wear parts and martensitic high chrome white iron products for the mining industry.
These workers are represented by Local 360 of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, otherwise known as the United Steelworkers.
They include grinders, drivers, machine operators, burners, crane operators, maintenance workers, machinists, millwrights, welders, and electricians.
Their most recent collective agreement expired last month. Workers ratified their new collective agreement in May, prior to the previous one expiring.
This new collective agreement brings with it a 1% wage increase in the first year and a 2% wage increase next June.
By the time the agreement expires in June 2028, none of the workers will be making under $25 an hour.
Here are some highlights from the new contract.
This clause:
The Company agrees that all certified employees who are now on the payroll of the Company and all new certified employees, shall as a condition of employment, be required to pay the required Initiation Fee, monthly Dues and Assessments as set out by Local 360, and in accordance with the Union Constitution. The Union Dues will be payable from the first day of employment. Deductions will be from the employee’s first full pay period.
was replaced with this:
The Union recognizes the right of the Company to hire, promote, suspend, discharge for just and sufficient cause, or otherwise discipline any employee. Of prime concern are the following: dishonesty and theft, falsification of records, fighting on Company premises, chronic unexcused absenteeism, abuse of alcohol or drugs, willful and deliberate destruction of Company property. Subject however, to the right of such employee to file a grievance in the manner herein as provided in Article 5.
In the previous collective agreement, Foothills Steel Foundry had agreed to supply outside workers with 1 winter jacket per year to a maximum of $40. The new agreement removed the maximum. It also removed the $85 maximum on welder’s jackets.
The minimum pension contribution has increased from $270 per month to $300 per month.
Meal allowance for workers who have to work more than 2 hours of unscheduled overtime has increased from $5 per meal to $15 per meal.
