Fort Hills Project Labour Agreement (PLA)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
What you have before you is a copy of the Fort Hills Project Agreement for your review and consideration. Please take your time to review and attend the information meetings that will be taking place to allow you to make a conscious decision on this project.
What is the Fort Hills Project?
Fort Hills is currently one of the largest oil sands leases with estimated reserves of four billion barrels of bitumen. The first phase when complete would produce approximately 140,000 barrels per day. They have completed extensive drilling and believe that there is 40 years of continuous production even when all phases are complete. (The current plan is to peak at 280,000 barrels per day). Fort Hills would use all of the expertise that they have gained from their experience at Syncrude and the Esso refinery. The mining operation will be similar to those currently used on other sites north of Fort McMurray; these techniques bring a lot of man-hours to the Ironworkers.
How Did We Get Here?
Eighteen months ago Petro-Canada made a presentation to the Building Trades; however, only recently serious discussions have materialized since the involvement of Bob Blakely (Bob is the Executive Director of the Canadian Building Trades in Ottawa) was asked to facilitate discussions with several Business Managers and a couple of contractors, the Construction Labour Relations (CLR) and Petro-Canada. I can’t thank Bob enough for his assistance in these discussions. What we have before us is an oppunitunity to secure several years of work for our members if they choose to work on these projects.
How is this PLA Different From the Others?
This PLA allows our members the choice to work not one but two separate schedules that are as per our current Collective Agreement with full terms and conditions provided.
This PLA also provides the flexibility with schedules to provide the member a choice to allow for quality time with his or her family. I will touch briefly on some of the highlights of each schedule. Please attend the general meeting in March or one of the information sessions for further details.
Schedule A Seventeen of Nineteen Days on, Nine off
All hours worked as per our collective agreement, all days off if requested to work will be as per the current Collective Agreements and nine days off every cycle.
Schedule B Modified Twenty and Eight off
Nineteen of twenty worked, eight off. You work 19 days of 20 with 6 of the days paid at 7 hrs straight time and 3 at time and a half the other 13 days paid 6 hours at straight time and 4 at time and a half. If you work any of the days off they pay you at double time and this cycle gives you eight days off every cycle.
Schedule C Alternating Five and Six Day Work Weeks
This cycle is again paid as per our Collective Agreement, it is catered to our Locals who may choose to work this schedule and be home for most of the weekends; however, if they are asked to work their day off they will be paid at double time.
Schedule D Five Weeks of Six Tens
This cycle is set up for the person who wants to make the most money per year. Also, if the work situation gets really tight and we need to bring in Travel Cards or other Ironworkers they will make a decent wage. Any days off worked will be paid at double time.
Schedule E Ten On/Four Off
This cycle consists of 10 days worked with each day paid at 8 hours at straight time and 2 hours at double time. If the worker works any of the 4 days off he/she will be paid at double time.
Holidays
This PLA takes into consideration when holidays fall and allow the member to be compensated accordingly.
Schedule Wage Comparison
The wage rate for comparison is the current Journeyman Ironworker rate of $36.49/hr + 10 % holiday pay which equals $40.14/hr.
Schedule A Seventeen of Nineteen Days on, Nine off
170 Hours Worked, 205 Hours Paid, $1.206 premiums
$ 8,228.70 per cycle
$ 106,973.10 per year
Schedule B Modified Twenty and Eight off
190 Hours Worked, 225 Hours Paid, $1.184 premiums
$ 9,031.50 per cycle
$ 117,409.50 per year
Schedule C Alternating 5/10s, 6/10s for 5 weeks, 7 days off
270 Hours Worked, 315 Hours Paid, $1.166 premiums
$ 12,644.10 per cycle
$ 109,582.62 per year
Schedule D 6/10s for 5 weeks, 7 days off
300 Hours Worked, 350 Hours Paid, $1.166 premiums
$ 14,049.00 per cycle
$ 121,758.00 per year
Schedule E Ten On/Four Off
100 Hours Worked, 120 Hours Paid, $1.20 premiums
$ 4,816.80 per cycle
$ 125,236.80 per year
At the information meetings we were asked to calculate how much pension would be earned on each schedule. We have done all the calculations for you and the calculations are based on a contribution rate of $5.39 and a reference rate of $4.00.
Pension Earned
Schedule A $122.10
Schedule B $134.00
Schedule C $125.07
Schedule D $138.97
Schedule E $142.94
Fraternally,
Harry Tostowaryk
Business Manager - Ironworkers Local 720