An estimated 500 glaziers in the ICI sector in Ontario are on strike after contract talks broke down, adding to the number of stalemates reported in contract bargaining this week.
But there is hope for contract resolutions in at least five other trades over the next two weeks as the ICI proceeds haltingly towards the finish line in 2022 bargaining.
Glaziers, members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and responsible for cutting and installing glass on construction projects, officially went on strike as of 12:01 a.m. June 13. A no-board report was issued in May with no progress made in negotiations during the 17-day waiting period.
“I can tell you that there are no new meetings scheduled at this time,” stated Noel Marsella, chief bargainer for the contractors and executive director of the Architectural Glass and Metal Contractors Association. He said he could not comment beyond that.
The sides are reported to be far apart.
Three-year contracts in the Ontario ICI sector expired April 30. Fifteen of Ontario’s 25 ICI trades have successfully concluded negotiations on 2022-2025 provincial ICI agreements.
Cement masons, sheet metal, roofers, refrigeration and sprinkler fitters all have ratification votes on tentative deals this week or next.
Sprinkler fitters bargain nationally with the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association (CASA).
CASA president John Galt said the contractors are awaiting the results of a final ratification vote in Ontario to be revealed June 16.
ICI roofers, represented by the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers’ and Roofers’ Conference, will know the results of their ratification vote after a count the evening of June 14.
A memo sent by negotiators to members stated, “It is believed that the monetary package agreed to is one of, if not the, highest percentage increase in the ICI sector.”
Sheet metal will be voting on a proposed settlement amounting to $8.15 per hour over three years provincewide, with Ottawa members to receive $8.80 and Toronto $9.30. The ratification votes across the province will continue until June 15.
Rodworkers turned down a deal negotiated and recommended by executives with the Ironworkers union on May 5. The next meeting with the employers agency is set for June 15 and a strike vote has been scheduled for June 20.
There is little bargaining progress reported in the teamsters trade. John Pilat, head of the Teamsters Employer Bargaining Agency, reported the sides met the first week of June and the next meeting is scheduled for July.
Dave Gardner, head negotiator for the Insulators Employee Bargaining Agency, reported talks have broken down with no new meetings scheduled. The results of a strike vote will be tabulated June 24.
“We are hoping they will then sit back down with us,” he stated.
Among raises that have been ratified, according to data collected by the Ontario Construction Secretariat, tile and terrazzo received an 8.70 per cent raise over three years provincewide and 9.2 per cent in Toronto; the steeplejacks got a 14.7 per cent pay hike over three years after ratifying a proposed contract April 28; precast earned an extra $8 per hour over three years; labourers earned wage hikes of 10 to 12 per cent over three years depending on the region; and plumbers received $8 to $9 per hour more over three years depending on the local.
Operating engineers accepted a $9 per hour pay hike over three years; millwrights got a 9.25 per cent raise over three years; ironworkers negotiated a three-year, 9 per cent raise across the province with 0.5 per cent more in Toronto; electricians will receive 8.6 per cent more over three years plus a premium based on other deals; carpenters will get an increase of between $5.36 and $7.54 per hour over three years depending on the local, with Toronto formworkers receiving $8 per hour more over three years; and bricklayers will earn 9.20 per cent more provincewide over three years with Toronto members earning 9.7 per cent more.
Demolition workers across the province got a $7.10/13 per cent raise over three years with Toronto members receiving 40 cents more over three years; and boilermakers will get $8.50 per hour more over three years.
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