While browsing the collective bargaining agreements database maintained by Alberta Mediation Services, I came across a new collective agreement for welders in Edmonton.
These 100 or so welders are employed by Edmonton Exchanger & Manufacturing and are members of Local 146 of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers, otherwise known as just The Boilermakers.
The workers are employed by Edmonton Exchanger & Manufacturing, which specializes in steel manufacturing.
Their previous collective agreement expired this past Wednesday, but they ratified their new collective agreement earlier last month.
Workers can expect to see wage increases in each year of the new 3-year agreement.
| 1 January 2026 | 4.00% |
| 1 January 2027 | 3.00% |
| 1 January 2028 | 2.00% |
This works out to a combined increase of 9%, which is significantly less than the 13% they received in their last agreement, keeping in mind that the last contract provided increases to cover runaway inflation in 2022.
Here are some other changes in the new collective agreement.
The meal allowance for workers on unscheduled overtime has increased from $20 to $25.
Under the previous agreement, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve were days off without pay; although workers could work those day if they agree mutually with the employer to do so. The new agreement clarifies that workers who do work on either or both of those days do so at their regular pay rate.
The employer contribution to the Boilermakers’ National Health Plan has increased from $410 per worker per month to $470 per worker per month.
Pension contributions will increase by 50¢ in each year of the contract, rising to $4.00 per hour worked this past Thursday, $4.50 next January, and $5.00 in January 2027.
Shift premiums have also increased.
| Old | New | |
|---|---|---|
| Afternoon shift | $1.75 | $2.00 |
| Midnight shift | $1.50 | $1.75 |
