Workers at Redcliff fibre-glass plant ink one-year deal

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 16, 2021.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Unionized workers at the CertainTeed Canada fibre-glass plant in Redcliff have struck a one-year deal that provides 1.5 per cent wage hike, according to the latest edition of the Alberta Labour collective bargaining update.

The June edition, released this week, states 53 members of Teamsters Local 362 at the facility ratified the agreement in May shortly after the previous contract expired March 31.

The private-sector settlement stands in contrast to published resolutions that show mostly zero wage increases in the public sectors, such as health, seniors’ care and public administration.

Locally, workers at the River Ridge Seniors Village in Medicine Hat accepted a two-year wage freeze this spring after unions negotiations. The 104 members of the Steelworkers Local 1-207 ratified the deal on Feb. 1.

In the largest settlement, a six-year deal for grocery workers at Save On Foods provides just one raise, but two lump sum payments over its course that includes wage reopening clauses in 2024 and 2025.

The Christian Labour Association of Canada represents 7,200 employees at the grocery chain across Alberta, including one location in Medicine Hat.

The deal was signed May 28 and included lump sum payments of 35-cents and 25-cents per hour worked – which do not affect base rates – in the second and fourth years of the contract, respectively. A 35-cent addition to base rate occurs in year No. 3.

The report also notes that South Country Co-op and 315 employees represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers, No. 401, have moved to mediation to replace a contract that expired in July 2020.

UFCW is also in mediation toward a contract for 9,000 employees of Superstore in Alberta. The previous deal ended in August 2018.

This spring, Alberta Distillers in Lethbridge secured a new five-year deal with 50 members of the Operating Engineers, Local 955, which provides annual increases between 1 and 2 per cent until 2026.

Workers at the Canlin gas plant in Yellowhead County represented by Unifor will earn a six per cent raise over four years.

Electricians with the City of Edmonton agreed to a two-year wage freeze.

Also in the public utility sector, IBEW Local 254 moved to certify workers in the Town of Okotoks this month, according to the Alberta Labour Relations Board. A hearing was held Tuesday. That union represents a number of municipal power workers, including those in Medicine Hat.

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