New Collective Agreement
Alberta Building Trades unions have negotiated a collective agreement that, after a year’s continuation of current wages, ties future industrial wage increases mostly to a combination of wages and the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil.
The Agreement has been ratified by the Alberta Regional Council's Locals.
It contains the following increases:
Industrial
- 0% in 2011
- 2-4% in 2012 depending on the consumer price index (CPI)
- 0-5% in 2013, depending on CPI and WTI
- 0-5% in 2014, depending on CPI and WTI
Commercial
- 0% in 2011
- 2.25% compounded on the gross rate in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014
Links to the detailed agreement and other related documents are at the end of this story.
Our unions have reached this agreement to provide us with job security in an industry environment which has seen non-union labour make big gains, further reducing our market share. The agreement was recommended by the leaders of all building trades unions.
See the end of this story for links to the detailed agreement, and to other documents (two of which contain helpful Frequently Asked Questions).
Site Travel:
The agreement states that Members will be paid after 45 minutes each way when travelling to and from worksites and temporary domiciles (i.e. camps), even within the 45 km Free Zone.
Special Project Agreements (including travel)
Locals have negotiated blanket Special Project Needs Agreements (SPNA) for both urban and rural sites. Provisions include a travel provision where pay begins after 60 minutes of travel each way on provided buses, even within the Free Zone.
Authorized Time Off
For the first time, there is provision for members to take authorized time off for family events or appointments, without affecting their overtime qualification. This clause is connected to employer concerns about late starts and quits, and absenteeism, which will allow us to reinforce the union position in a highly competitive market.
Drug/Alcohol Testing
Drug testing will be carried out by oral swab rather than a urine test. Testing will be focused on incidents of on-site impairment. A Letter of Understanding between CLR and Locals 1325 and 2103 adopts the Rapid Site Access Program.
To download the documents, click:
Agreement Highlights, Building Trades letter & FAQs
Collective Agreement 2011-2015 - Detailed
Proposed Special Projects Agreement – Urban
Proposed Special Projects Agreement – Rural
Collective Agreement – Drug & Alcohol Testing Summary & FAQs
