Last month, the Mediation Services department of Alberta Jobs, Economy, and Trade published the November 2024 Bargaining Update.
This monthly report provides information about the unionized workforce, primarily in Alberta. In November, Mediation Services received settlement information regarding 20 private sector and 11 public sector bargaining settlements, covering 2,841 and 4,096 workers respectively.
Among those settlements was a contract for about 20 workers employed by FDI Services.
These workers are represented by All Nations Union. Based out of Campbell River in British Columbia, All Nations Union organized in 2022 and is the first Indigenous-led union in Canada.
FDI Services Inc. is an employment agency based out of Edmonton, specializing in skilled labour services within the turnaround, maintenance, and capital projects industry.
All Nations Union actually filed an application for union certification with the Alberta Labour Relations Board back in September 2022. The ALRB awarded the certificate two months later, on 14 November 2022.
The workers represented in this contract include all maintenance labourers. It excludes all office workers, management, and any summer students working with management.
This is the first contract these workers have received since unionizing. It was ratified in May 2023, effective to 1 February 2023 and expires in September of this year. The ALRB only recently received a copy of the collective agreement.
According to the bargaining update, there were no wage increases scheduled for these workers during the life of the contract. However, there was a clause in the contract for the two parties to conduct a wage rate review “to determine if economic conditions merit an increase of the base rate of pay”.
Workers employed with FDI Services are classified into 3 groups: entry, intermediate, and skilled. Their pay rate depends on their classification.
| Entry | $21.51 per hour |
| Intermediate | $24.73 per hour |
| Skilled | $27.95 per hour |
Here are some highlights of beenfits these workers receive in their first contract.
In addition to having typical union stewards, the collective agreement also allows for cultural stewards, which will help the employer communicate and advance commitments made to local Indigenous people.
Workers will pay 1.3% of their gross pay in union dues every month.
Union members will get first priority to fill any job vacancies with FDI. If union members aren’t able to fill those vacancies, FDI will prioritize the hiring of Indigenous workers.
The probationary period for new workers will last 90 days.
Workers will be eligible for time off to run in an election. They will be able to return to their position after the election, as long as the position hasn’t been eliminated.
The employer will provide transportation to a medical facility in the event that a worker is injured on the job. If the injury inhibits their ability to do their job, they may be entitled to modified work to accommodate their injury.
Workers will be guaranteed 3 hours of pay for scheduled shifts, even if they are sent home early because of lack of work.
If workers are called back to work in the same day, they will be guaranteed 2 hours worth of pay.
Each worker will receive two paid 15-minute rest periods, one in the first half of the shift and one in the second half. They are also entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal period. Anyone working beyond the regular workday will receive an additional 15-minute paid rest period for every 2 hours worked. In addition, anyone working over 12 hours in a shift will get an additional 30-minute meal period, but this time, it’ll be paid. Plus the meal will be provided, or they will receive a $25 meal allowance.
Workers will be required to provide their own tools if they re common to their trade, and FDI will provide any other tools.
The employer will provide all safety-related equipment—such as gloves, eyewear, and coveralls—but the workers will need to provide their own safety footwear.
Workers who have been with the company for up to 5 years will be entitled to two weeks vacation time, and their vacation pay will be 4% of their base rate of pay. Those who’ve been with the company for 5 years or more will get 3 weeks vacations, and their vacation pay will increase to 6%.
Here is a list of all the recognized holidays, which will qualify for stat pay.
- New Year’s Day
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Heritage Day
- Labour Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Thanksgiving Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
Anyone working one of these holidays will be paid at 1.5 times their base pay rate plus an addition 4% for all hours worked on that day. FDI will try to avoid scheduling workers for these holidays, especially National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, if workers request them off with at least 30 days notice.
Workers will be entitled to also take of National Indigenous Peoples Day, but they need to provide 30 days notice and the time off will be unpaid.
The collective agreement states that workers will be entitled to 3 days of paid bereavement leave in the event of a death of a spouse, child or dependent, parent or guardian, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. This includes in law and foster relations.
FDI has agreed to provide up to 5 days of unpaid leave for Indigenous workers to engage in traditional Indigenous practices, including hunting, fishing, and harvesting. The leave doesn’t need to be consecutive.
The employer will contribute $1.78 per hour worked for each worker towards the company’s health plan. Workers must work at least 150 hours per month to continue enrolment in the health plan.
As well, FDI has agreed to contribute 25¢ per hour per worker toward the All Nations Training Fund and the same amount toward the Erika Legacy Foundation. The ANTF will be used to provide literacy, language, and comprehension training to workers. The ELF provides mental health support to rural and Indigenous communities.
Workers will contribute 2% of their pay to their pension plan, and FDI will contribute 4% of the workers’ base pay to the plan.
