Members of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers have ratified a new three-year Provincial Collective Agreement with contractors.
Union members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the agreement at ratification meetings held throughout the province Jan. 28, 2013.
The agreement affects operators who work on cranes and heavy equipment at construction sites across the province and who are involved in activities such as steel erection and mechanical installations, foundation piling, caisson boring, excavation, general construction and surveying.
The agreement provides for a total monetary package increase of $3.95 an hour over three years. Operators working under the agreement will receive an increase of $1.45 an hour as of May 1, 2013, another $1.30 an hour on May 1, 2014, and another $1.20 an hour on May 1, 2015.
All travel, room and board, living out, commuting, meal and kilometre allowances and expenses will be increased three per cent as of May 1, 2013, another three per cent on May 1, 2014, and another three per cent on May 1, 2015.
The agreement runs from May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2016.
“We are pleased to have been able to work with our employers to reach a settlement over three months prior to the expiry of the Provincial Collective Agreement,” said Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher. “Both sides worked hard to reach the settlement because there are many important infrastructure, energy sector and institutional projects throughout the province that need to be brought to completion to deliver the services that the public need.
“It is our hope that other trades not yet settled will also work hard to reach settlements to the benefit of all in the industry and general public.”
In addition to the monetary package, the agreement contains language aimed at improving personal protective equipment supplied to operators working in the concrete pumping industry. To boost employment opportunities for mobile crane apprentices, the ratio of apprentices to journeypersons has also been increased. Meanwhile, wage premiums for employees operating specialized and large tonnage equipment, including cranes, have also been increased.
Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents thousands of highly-skilled crane and heavy equipment operators across Ontario. The union has a head office, banquet hall and training campus in Oakville, and another training campus in Morrisburg.
For additional information contact:
Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher
905-469-9299, ext. 2202