Bargaining successes

Each year, USW members at hundreds of workplaces across Canada, covering virtually every sector of the economy, negotiate strong collective agreements that protect health and safety and improve wages, benefits and working conditions.

These recent settlements include:

Local 9291 • Westwood Mine, Preissac, Que.

A five-year contract for 375 workers at Westwood’s gold-mining operations in northwestern Quebec provides total wage increases of 18%, employer pension contributions rising to $3,500 from $1,500 per year, the addition of a second employer-paid health-and-safety rep., a new statutory holiday, two paid days for family leave and improved attendance bonuses, benefits and vacation pay and entitlement.

Local 4610 • PepsiCo (Frito-Lay), Cambridge, Ont.

The 750 members who produce Frito-Lay chips and snacks in Cambridge, Ont., ratified a three-year agreement featuring enhancements to the defined-benefit pension plan, a 12% wage hike and additional increases for certain classifications. Gains also were made on paramedical, vision care and dental benefits, shift premiums, uniform allowances and life insurance, while all employer demands for concessions were beaten back.

Local 9074-55 • Darling Ingredients Canada, Winnipeg

The very first collective agreement for members at Darling Ingredients in Winnipeg achieved wage increases ranging from 6% to 10% over three years, a $100 bonus for working Saturdays, various incentive and premium rates, $300 allowances for work boots and safety glasses, and solid language on job postings, schedules, seniority and other rights. The workers provide rendering and recycling services to the food industry.

Local 4796 • Convoyeur Continental, Thetford Mines, Que.

A five-year contract provided members with wage hikes ranging from 7% to 30% in the first year, to be followed by annual increases indexed to the CPI, within a range of 2.25% to 3%. Improvements also were achieved on sick leave and an attendance bonus introduced during the pandemic was made permanent. The plant specializes in design, engineering and production of material-handling equipment.

Local 3505 • Slacan Industries, Brantford, Ont.

Tough bargaining during a labour dispute resulted in a four-year contract for Slacan Industries workers who produce electrical transmission, distribution and communications hardware. The deal includes 10% wage increases, improved benefits, strengthened language on health and safety and training, and an attendance recognition program that allows members to earn a monetary reward of up to 5% of their annual wages.

Local 1-417 • Molycop Canada, Kamloops, B.C.

A five-year agreement at Molycop Canada’s manufacturing operations in Kamloops provides total wage increases of 16% as well as widespread improvements to contract language and working conditions, including benefits, severance provisions, sick leave, first-aid premiums, shift differentials and a hot meal allowance. Members produce grinding balls and grinding rods used in mineral processing operations.

Local 7531 • Ball Technologies, Sherbrooke, Que.

Members ratified a three-year contract with total wage increases of 17%, enhanced bonuses and a new bonus for cases where a worker’s transfer to a new position is unduly delayed. Gains also were made on paid leave, safety glasses allowance and the employer’s contribution to the Fonds de solidarité FTQ RRSP. The workers process aluminum into sheets used to make containers and parts for the automotive, medical and other industries.

Local 6565-08 • Ivaco Rolling Mills, L’Orignal, Ont.

Office and clerical staff at steelmaker Ivaco secured a three-year agreement with gains including 3% annual wage hikes, significant increases to employer contributions to the defined-contribution pension plan, improved co-pay provisions for medications, the addition to the bargaining unit of several nonunion positions and the elimination of a wage progression system.

Local 2009 • Kennametal Inc., Langford, B.C.

Members at the Langford operations of multinational Kennametal Inc., which produces tooling and industrial materials for a wide range of industries, secured a five-year contract with total wage hikes of 14%, including 4% in the first year. The agreement enhances group medical benefits and AD&D insurance coverage, and improves contract language in several areas, including hours of work.

Local 2015 • QSL, Sept-Îles, Que.

The dockworkers employed by QSL at the Port of Sept-Îles negotiated a three-year deal with 16% wage increases, including 10% in the first year, the introduction of a group pension plan for permanent and part-time workers, as well as improved shift scheduling that respects seniority and promotes better rest between shifts.

Local 2020 • Town of Kirkland Lake, Kirkland Lake, Ont.

A three-year contract for USW-represented members of the Kirkland Lake Volunteer Fire Brigade improves safety boot allowances, prescription safety eyewear coverage and training programs. New provisions include coverage of the costs of obtaining and maintaining Class DZ licences as well as out-of-town training costs, access to an EAP and discounted memberships to the community recreation complex.

Local 1-20 • Civic Service Union 52, Edmonton

The USW-represented staff of the Civic Service Union 52 in Edmonton negotiated a four-year contract with total wage increase of 11.25%, including retroactive pay, as well as a $250 increase to the employee wellness account and improvements to December office closure language that provide five consecutive paid days off.

This article appears in the Summer 2026 issue of USW@Work magazine.

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