Last month, the Mediation Services department of Alberta Jobs, Economy, and Trade published the August 2024 Bargaining Update.
This monthly report provides information about the unionized workforce, primarily in Alberta. In August, Mediation Services received settlement information regarding 28 private sector and 9 public sector bargaining settlements, covering 2,361 and 1,857 workers respectively.
Among those settlements was a contract for 40 workers employed by Fort McKay Alcor Limited Partnership. The company represents the two companies Fort McKay Resources and Alcor Facilities Management, and they provide facilities maintenance and management services.
The workers are represented by Local 362 of the General Teamsters and include bus drivers who are responsible for transporting workers to worksites..
Their previous contract actually expired this past May and represented 73 workers when it was settled in January 2023.
The new contract was settled about a month and a half later, in July, but represents only 40 workers now. It was retroactive to 1 June 2024.
According to the bargaining update, these workers are supposed to receive wage increases in each year of the new 5-year contract, which expires next in May 2029.
| 1 June 2024 | 1.59% |
| 1 June 2025 | 1.59% |
| 1 June 2026 | 1.65% |
| 1 June 2027 | 1.62% |
| 1 June 2028 | 1.92% |
That’s a combined 8.43% over 5 years, or an average of 1.69% per year.
It’s difficult to determine how this will compare to inflation, given that most of the pay raises still haven’t happened yet. That being said, inflation during the first 8 months of 2024 has already been 2.59%, so I’m not holding my breath.
Here are some highlights of other changes between the new contract, and their previous contract, which was their first contract.
For example, new to the contract is the following clause:
9.07 The Employer agrees to make available Shop Stewards, to the Union, upon request, for the purpose of negotiating the Collective Agreement. The Company will cover the Shop Stewards expenses, wages and pension contributions for all time spent.
This clause was also new:
11.05 In cases of emergency, if an employee fails to arrive on time to the required pick-up point for the Company provided transportation to site, the employee may request to drive their personal vehicle to the yard at Mildred Lake. Approval will be at the Company’s discretion. The intent is to allow employees to be able to attend their scheduled shift and not to circumvent any potential attendance discipline.
These two were also added:
12.06 When the Company changes an employee’s shuttle schedule time, they will give as much notice to the employee by phone, text, or email and confirm the changes with the employee. If the change was not confirmed it will not result In discipline for the employee.
12.07 Should the Company require an employee to change their scheduled rotation, the Company will provide one (1) month notice to the affected employee(s) unless agreed to by the affected employee.
Contributions by the employer to the workers’ pension plan will increase every year of the contract.
| Previous contract | $1.50 per hour |
| 1 June 2024 | $2.06 per hour |
| 1 June 2025 | $2.63 per hour |
| 1 June 2026 | $3.23 per hour |
| 1 June 2027 | $3.83 per hour |
| 1 June 2028 | $4.57 per hour |
The allowance that Fort Mckay Alcor provides the workers to use for safety clothing, footwear, and person protective equipment increased from $250 to $300 per year.
Removed from the contract was a $150 reimbursement available to workers for any medicals they needed to maintain their drivers licence.
Added to 17.04 (which was 18.05 in the old contract) was the following:
Due to client demand all Parties recognize that after an employee utilizes the Company provided transportation there may not always be eight (8) hours between drop off and pick up.
The workers got two new statutory holidays—Heritage Day and Boxing Day—increasing the total number of statutory holidays from 9 to 11.
Removed from the contract was an entitlement for workers employed 7 years or more with the company to receive an additional week of paid vacation leave.
