Heavy haul workers get new contract

While browsing through the provincial database of collective agreements, I came across a new collective agreement that was ratified earlier this month.

This agreement was for about 50 workers employed by Barnhart and represented by Local 362 of the Teamsters.

The American based Barnhart expanded into Canada in 2024, after it purchased NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Trans Tech Inc., which is located in Acheson.

At the time of purchase, NCSG operated 8 branches in Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan. Its workers provided crane and heavy haul services, especially in the energy sector.

The new collective agreement is specifically for heavy haul workers in Alberta, including riggers, picker drivers, pilot car drivers, hydraulic trailer operators, light truck drivers, heavy truck drivers, self-propelled modular transporter operators, lead hands, and forepersons.

This includes company drivers, owner-operators, and employees of owner-operators.

According to the same provincial database, the previous collective agreement for these workers expired last month.

Workers will receive a wage freeze in the first year of their new 4-year contract and raises in the other 3 years.

1 July 2026	$0.00
1 July 2027	$1.50
1 July 2028	$1.00
1 July 2029	$1.00

This combined increase of $3.50 an hour over the course of the contract will vary, on a percentage basis, depending on the wages at the start of the contract.

For example, general forepersons are the highest paid workers in this agreement. A $3.50 increase for them would be 7.21%. Level 1 riggers, however, would end up with a 13.83% increase, as the lowest paid workers.

Here are some other highlights from this new agreement.

The following was added to the collective agreement

The selection of any outside carrier shall be at the sole discretion of the Company and will be based on operational requirements, including but not limited to:

1. verified insurance coverage of the carrier and any subcontractor engaged by that carrier;
2. safety performance;
3. cost competitiveness; and
4. availability of equipment and services at the time required.

Nothing in this provision shall restrict the Company’s right to select a carrier(s) that meet its business and client requirements.

Under the previous agreement, workers were paid twice a month. Now, they are paid weekly.

The time limit for appealing grievances was 10 days in the previous agreement. That limit was removed in the new agreement.

Vacation entitlement has been changed, allowing workers to get more vacation time sooner.

Vacation time	Length of service (old)	Length of service (new)
2 weeks	1–3 years	1–3 years
3 weeks	3–8 years	3–6 years
4 weeks	8–15 years	6–13 years
5 weeks	15–20 years	13–20 years
6 weeks	20+ years	20+years

The following section regarding cameras in equipment was added to the collective agreement:

No audio recording:
The cameras installed in the equipment are equipped to capture video footage only. Under no circumstances will these cameras record audio. The cameras are purely for visual recording and will not capture any conversations or other audio-related information.

No live streaming:
The cameras are not connected to any live streaming services. The footage captured is not being transmitted or monitored in real time. No individual is actively accessing or streaming the video footage while equipment is in operation.

Recording activation:
The cameras will only activate and begin recording when the vehicle is in motion. They do not continuously record when the equipment is stationary or not in operation. This ensures that video data is only collected during active periods.

Union reviews:
The Union may, upon request, engage in discussions with the Company to review the general use of cameras and ensure they are being used in accordance with agreed-upon principles. If available, the Company may provide access to relevant footage to address concerns related to misuse, Policy adherence, or other reasonable inquiries.

Under the previous agreement, workers who had to be out of town overnight for at least 4 hours were compensated for 8 hours for that day. That has increased to 9 hours of compensation.

The Fort McMurray uplift rate increased from $2.00 to $3.50 in the previous agreement. It will remain at $3.50 for the duration of the new agreement.

Workers who must remain away from their place of domicile get a subsistence rate, which was $195 a night in the previous agreement and has increased to $200 a night in the new agreement.

Employer contributions to the Teamsters Union/Industry Advancement Fund will increase from 5¢ per hour per worker to 10¢ per hour per workers.

Pension contributions from the employer have increased from $5.80 per hour to $6.30 per hour. They will increase to $6.60 an hour next year, $6.80 an hour in July 2028, and $7.00 an hour in the final year of the contract.