Alberta and Ontario recently concluded their respective open periods, during which collective agreements were up for negotiation. This round of negotiations was the first conducted under the new Carpenters’ Regional Council (CRC) structure, formed by the merger of several formerly independent councils in 2022.
In Alberta, a new Registered Collective Agreement (RCA) was presented to Locals 1325, 2103 and 1999. Members responded in resounding support, voting in favour of ratifying the new RCA. The agreement includes a 10% wage increase over four years for carpenters across the province, and an increase in shift premiums for workers in the industrial sector and non-industrial sectors. Foreman and General Foreman shift premiums were also raised. Negotiating under the new CRC structure allowed for interprovincial resource sharing and staff coordination, resulting in the strongest possible deal for members. The ratification of Alberta’s new RCA marks a major step toward building a stronger, more unified union across provinces.
In Ontario, several new Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) have been ratified across various sectors. A major success was the new agreement for Ontario carpenters in the ICI (industrial, commercial, institutional) sectors. The ICI agreement delivers an 8% wage increase over three years, as well as improvements in health and welfare benefits, pension, and area travel provisions such as parking and room & board.
Due to the new CRC framework, this deal is the first agreement in over 25 years that delivers a standardized wage increase for all Local Unions across Ontario. Further demonstrating the effectiveness of this new model, the wage settlement reached is the second highest in province-wide ICI history, only trailing the unprecedented increases seen in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
These recent wins in both Alberta and Ontario underscore the strength and potential of the new Carpenters’ Regional Council structure. From significant standardized wage increases in Alberta to historic gains in the Ontario ICI sector, these negotiations demonstrate what’s possible with a unified and cohesive interprovincial vision.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Toolbox Talk, where we will cover the Ontario Roofing Strike.
