Last week, the Alberta Labour Relations Board published their second new applications report for June 2025. In it was an application for certification modification.
Local 707-A of Unifor filed the application on 2 June 2025 on behalf of workers employed by SMS Equipment.
SMS Equipment is based out of Acheson, Alberta, but has locations throughout Canada (and two in Alaska). The company is a heavy equipment dealership, specializing in equipment for the construction, forestry, and mining industries, including oil and gas.
Unifor has represented SMS Equipment workers since receiving their certificate in 2014. That certificate applies to all workers “at Fort McMurray locations except office, clerical and sales personnel”.
However, the union wants to expand this coverage.
In their application, they’ve requested that it applies to all those working at the Suncor Base Mine; all those working in or out of the SMS’s location off of Highway 63; and all those working in or out of any location in Ward One of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, including any business parks adjacent to Ward One.
The certificate would still exclude those in office, clerical, and sales positions.
The workers covered by the existing certificate ratified their most recent collective agreement at the end of 2023, so if this amendment is successful, any new workers joining the bargaining unit would benefit from the gains in that contract.
Their collective agreement expires next April, so negotiations on a new contract should be starting soon.
Having more workers as part of your bargaining unit could provide more strength during contract talks, even though the collective agreement already covers over 400 workers.
