The more than 15,000 members of the International Union of Operating Engineers across Ontario’s industrial, commercial and institutional sectors have gone on strike as on May 2.

A deal in principle was agreed between construction employer groups and union leaders on April 30. The deal saw the membership receive a raise of $8 per hour over three years, or between about 12 or 13 percent over the life of the agreement.

In a general vote on May 1, the membership rejected the deal.

“It is a difficult time for our members and their families these last two years due to the uncertainty caused by a pandemic which continues and now inflation,” Mike Gallagher, general manager of IUOE, is quoted as saying. “Rising cost of accommodation, fuel prices, hotels for out-of-town work, parking and meals are wreaking havoc on our members and their families’ pocketbook.”

The vote by the union membership was split regionally. Members in and around the GTA region voted against the deal, while those in other areas of the province voted in favour.

The lines of communication will continue between the employer groups and the union in the coming days and weeks as to finding a path forward to settling the strike.

Status on other trades in ICI bargaining: Ratification votes underway

Several other trades have reached settlements with their employer counterparts, but only two – Electricians and Ironworkers – have ratified those deals with membership votes. This week should see the conclusion of voting by each trade across the province.

Settlements reached to date include the following: 

Electricians - Total wage increase of $6.05 on total wage package of $67.99

Ratified

• 2022 May 1 - $3.00 (4.4%) increase
• 2023 May 1 - $1.65 (2.3%) increase
• 2024 May 1 - $1.40 (1.9%) increase

(NOTE: This agreement is subject to a 'me-too' clause. If any eight specified trades obtain a better settlement than the $6.05 agreed to in this deal, then IBEW members will receive an adjustment.)

Ironworkers – Total wage increase of $5.73 on total wage package of $61.90

Ratified 

• 2022 May 1 - $2.48 (4.0%) increase
• 2023 May 1 - $1.93 (3.0%) increase
• 2024 May 1 - $1.33 (2.0%) increase

Carpenters – Total wage increase of $5.60 on total wage package of $57.37

This is Not Ratified Yet 

• 2022 May 1 - $2.00 (3.5%) increase
• 2023 May 1 - $1.80 (3.0%) increase
• 2024 May 1 - $1.80 (3.0%) increase

Labourers – Total wage increase of $4.76 on total wage package of $48.46

This is Not Ratified Yet 

• 2022 May 1 - $1.70 (3.5%) increase
• 2023 May 1 - $1.53 (3.0%) increase
• 2024 May 1 - $1.53 (3.0%) increase

Plumbers & Pipefitters – Total wage increase of $8.02 on total wage package of $64.13

This is Not Ratified Yet 

• 2022 May 1 - $3.00 (4.7%) increase
• 2023 May 1 - $2.51 (3.7%) increase
• 2024 May 1 - $2.51 (3.6%) increase

Bricklayers – Full details not available but settlement is 3% per year.

This is Not Ratified Yet 

Terrazo & Tile – Full details not available but settlement is 3% per year.

This is Not Ratified Yet 

Painters – Full details not available but settlement has been reached.

This is Not Ratified Yet 

Rodman – Full details not available but settlement has been reached.

This is Not Ratified Yet 

Still in negotiations:

• Boilermakers
• Cement Masons
• Demolition
• Glaziers
• Insulators
• Refrigeration
• Roofers
• Sheetmetal