Last week, Local 401 of the United Food & Commercial Workers published an update on their website regarding contract negotiations for catering workers.
The 100 or so workers are employed by Buffalo Catering Employees LP, also known as Civeo Buffalo Catering Camp Services, which offers camp lodging throughout the Wood Buffalo area. These workers provide meals and lodging to primarily oil and gas sector workers.
Their most recent collective agreement expired back in March, over 6 months ago. This was their first collective agreement since unionizing in May 2021; although it was not ratified until March 2024 and was not retroactive to unionization.
According to last week’s update, Buffalo Catering tabled their final offer to the bargaining committee that the workers had voted to represent them.
Buffalo’s offer included 7.5% over 3 years.
| Sunday after ratification | 2.50% |
| 31 October 2027 | 2.50% |
| 29 October 2028 | 2.50% |
| 7.50% |
Keep in mind that these workers received no wage increases since their wages were set at their current levels in March 2024.
Since March 2024, the consumer price index in Alberta increased 11.9 points, or 7.11%.
So, Buffalo Catering’s offer is barely enough to cover wages lost due to inflation over the last 2 years or so, which will leave hardly anything left over to cover inflation during the 3 years of the new contract.
On top of that, they have offered only wage freezes for workers out of their Conklin Lodge facility during the entire collective agreement, some of whom are making under $20 an hour.
The workers’ bargaining committee, on the other hand, proposed 15% over 3 years, with 5% each year. However, they want the first year to be retroactive to the expiry of the last collective agreement. A 15% increase should be enough to cover lost wages in the last agreement, as well as inflation during the new agreement.
Of course, they asked for more than just wage increases. However, the employer rejected every one of them, such as the following:
- A 200-hour guarantee
- Massage therapy coverage
- First aid kits in the kitchen and housekeeping
- Restore travel allowance to $325 a rotation (It was lowered to $125 in the most recent collective agreement.)
Since Buffalo Catering refuses to adjust their offer, the workers’ bargaining committee is bringing it to the members to vote on.
Prior to voting, however, they will conduct two virtual informations sessions (on the 13th and 14th), as well as joint toolbox at site during election days.
Voting will occur at site on the 22nd and 23rd; although there will be a virtual option on the 24th for those who cannot vote in person.
