Last month, the Mediation Services department of Alberta Jobs, Economy, and Trade published the December 2024 Bargaining Update.
This monthly report provides information about the unionized workforce, primarily in Alberta. In December, Mediation Services received settlement information regarding 24 private sector and 10 public sector bargaining settlements, covering 2,429 and 3,797 workers respectively.
Among those settlements was a contract for about 10 workers employed by GFL Environmental SFS. These workers are represented by Local 4050 of Unifor.
GFL is a private waste management company based out of Toronto. They have a facility in Fort McMurray, where these workers are employed.
The workers include drivers, swampers, baggers, mechanics, welders, equipment operators, and general labourers.
This contract was settled back in October. This is the first contract for these workers since the Alberta Labour Relations Board certified them as a bargaining unit last year.
These workers were already unionized, but it was a voluntary recognition. This certification makes their representation official with the labour relations board.
According to the bargaining update, these workers will receive wage increases in every year of their new 4-year contract.
| 1 November 2024 | 4% |
| 1 November 2025 | 3% |
| 1 November 2026 | 2% |
By the end of the contract, wages for these workers will range from $23.57 an hour for recycle/baler operators to $72.85 an hour for licensed mechanics and welders.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swing driver | $43.10 | $44.39 | $45.28 |
| FL driver/molok | $39.66 | $40.85 | $41.67 |
| FL swamper | $31.27 | $32.21 | $32.85 |
| Lugger & roll off drivers / bagster | $38.59 | $39.75 | $40.55 |
| Picker truck | $37.00 | $38.11 | $38.87 |
| Licensed mechanic/welder | $69.34 | $71.42 | $72.85 |
| General labourer | $27.65 | $28.48 | $29.05 |
| Port-o-Let driver | $32.79 | $33.77 | $34.45 |
| Residential driver no swamper | $34.58 | $35.62 | $36.33 |
| Residential driver/swamper | $31.99 | $32.95 | $33.61 |
| Residential driver with swamper | $31.99 | $32.95 | $33.61 |
| Residential swamper | $28.64 | $29.50 | $30.09 |
| Recycle/baler operator | $22.44 | $23.11 | $23.57 |
Here are some highlights these workers will receive in this collective agreement.
Bereavement leaves is 3 working days for spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, and grandchildren, including step and in-laws, as well as legal guardians. Plus, if the worker finds out about the death while on shift, they will be excused from and paid for the rest of that shift.
Extended family deaths, such as for uncle, aunt, or nibling will come with a 1-day bereavement leave.
Also, if the workers must travel over 485 kilometres to attend the funeral for immediate or extended family members, they can have up to 2 more days of paid leave.
The contract provides workers with up to 180 consecutive calendar days of unpaid voluntary leave.
Maternity leave is 15 weeks for any pregnant workers. Parental leave is 37 weeks, including for adoptive parents, and kicks in after the birth or placement of the child. Paternal leave is 5 unpaid days.
Jury duty leave is 15 paid days.
GFL has agreed to pay 3¢ an hour per worker into a paid education leave programme, which will be used to pay workers to upgrade their skills.
The workers will get the following 10 general holidays, which all qualify for stat pay:
- New Year’s Day
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- 1st Monday in August
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
Stat pay will be 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for all hours worked that day, plus an additional 8 hours at the regular rate for the day, if the holidays falls on their regularly scheduled workday. Piecework workers will get paid 1,5 times the piecework rate, plus the 8 hours at the regular rate.
Alternatively, the worker could get the day off but be paid for 8 hours of work.
Workers will get paid vacation time, depending on how long they’ve been with the company.
| Length of employment | Length of leave |
|---|---|
| 1–4 years | 2 weeks |
| 4–9 years | 3 weeks |
| 9–17 years | 4 weeks |
| 17+ years | 5 weeks |
Overtime will be paid out at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay.
Workers are guaranteed at least 8 hours of rest between shifts.
Each workers will get 2 paid 15-minute coffee breaks each shift, plus a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Plus, workers will get an additional 15-minute break after the end of their shift if they will be working overtime hours.
If the company calls a worker in for a shift they’re not scheduled for, the company must pay them for at least 4 hours of work, regardless of how many hours they actually work.
The employer is prohibited from contracting out the following work: portables, bin delivery, picking, or vacuuming. Any work that is brokered out must make up no more than half of the work being done, and brokering can’t result in the laying off of unionized workers.
Lead-hand workers will get $1.50 per hour above their regular pay rate for all hours worked outside of the shop but $2.50 an hour if they are in-shop lead hands.
Here are the shift premiums for workers scheduled for weekend, evening, and night shifts.
| Afternoon | $1.75 |
| Graveyard | $2.00 |
| Weekend | $2.00 |
Any mechanic, millwright, or welder who is a master tradesperson will get an additional $2 per hour for all hours worked.
GFL will provide tool insurance coverage for each mechanic, welder, or apprentice, you to a maximum of $50,000 per occurrence.
Mechanics and millwrights, including apprentices, qualify for a $750 annual tool allowance. Welders and apprentices will get a $350 allowance.
Workers who must work away from their home site will be compensated for lodging and meal expenses. If the travel is more than 200 kilometres, the company will supply lodging and airfare (if needed) as well as a $45 daily meal allowance.
The company will provide both the required uniform workers must wear on shift and any needed personal protective equipment. Each worker will get 3 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, and a jacket. Either that or they receive 2 pairs of coveralls and 5 shirts.
The boot allowance is $300 per year.
Workers automatically get a life insurance policy of $35,000 once they complete their probationary period. Dependent life insurance is available as well, but workers will be responsible for 100% of the premium costs.
Accidental death and dismemberment is also $35,000.
Long-term disability is 60% of the normal pay rate to a maximum of $1,000 per month.
The employer will pay full costs of any premiums for the Alberta Health Care Insurance. They’ll also ensure coverage includes ambulance and semi-private room.
GFL has agreed to cover 100% of the costs for dental care coverage. Here are the co-pays that the workers must pay at point of purchase, however.
| Preventative care | 20% |
| Minor restorative care | 20% |
| Major restorative care | 50% |
| Orthodontics | 50% |
The maximum amount of reimbursement is $1,300 for each covered person.
Prescription coverage will be of no cost to the workers, even at point of purchase.
Vision care includes $270 every two years, including eyeglasses and eye examinations.
The cost to get a doctor’s note will be reimbursed by the company, up to $100.
Workers in Fort McMurray will also receive a $225 weekly cost of living subsidy from the employer.
Each worker will contribute 4% of their gross earnings into the company pension plan after being with the company for 6 months. GFL will also contribute an equivalent amount.
This collective agreement will expire in October 2027.
