Halifax Regional Water Commission

Lower Sackville, N.S. (230 outside workers) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 227

Renewal agreement: Effective Nov. 1, 2013, to Oct. 31, 2018. Signed on Aug. 17, 2015.

Wage adjustments:
Effective Nov. 1, 2013: 1.5%
Effective Nov. 1, 2014: 1.5%
Effective Nov. 1, 2015: 2.25%
Effective Nov. 1, 2016: 1.5%
Effective Nov. 1, 2017: 2.25%

Shift premium: $1.10 per hour for all hours worked during an afternoon or night shift. $1.10 per hour for all hours worked on special assigned work. $1.25 effective upon ratification and $1.50 effective on Nov. 1, 2017. $1.10 per hour for field service technicians. $1.25 effective upon ratification and $1.50 effective on Nov. 1, 2017. $1.10 per hour for all time worked during the weekend shift. $2 per hour for industrial electricians. $2 per hour for lead operators. $1.99 per hour for labourers in waste water plants. $2 per hour for utility tech I classifications. $3 per hour for utility tech II classifications. 30¢ per hour for sub foremen.

Paid holidays: 12 days.

Vacations with pay: 1 1/4 days for each month worked to start, 3 weeks after 2 years, 4 weeks after 6 years, 5 weeks after 13 years and 6 weeks after 20 years.

Overtime: Time and one-half for all time worked between 4 p.m. and 12 a.m. Double time for all hours worked between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Medical benefits: Employer pays 50% of premiums for the Extended Health Plan.

Sick leave: 1 1/2 days accumulated per calendar month worked to a maximum of 200 days.

LTD: Employer pays 50% of premiums for the Long-Term Disability Plan.

Life insurance: Employer pays 50% of premiums for the Group Life Insurance Plan.

Pension: Employer pays 50% of premiums for the defined benefit pension plan.

Bereavement leave: 7 days for employee’s spouse, father, mother, foster parent, brother, sister, child, former guardian, ward, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent or grandchild. 2 days for the employee’s brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or a relative residing with the employee. 2 additional days may be granted if the ceremony occurs outside of the province.

Seniority – recall rights: 18 months.

Probationary period: 720 hours worked.

Discipline: Sunset clause is 2 years.

Safety shoes: Employer provides work boots or safety shoes. Employer provides steel-toed rubber boots.

Uniforms/clothing: Employer provides safety and protective clothing and uniforms as required. This includes coveralls or overalls, hardhats, hearing protection, insulated gloves and rain gear.

Sample rates of pay (current, after 2.25% increase):
Utility technician II: $36.06 per hour
Utility technician I: $31.72
Process technician, level 4 certification: $29.68
Process technician/lab analyst, level 3 certification: $29.54
Process technician/lab analyst, level 2 certification: $28.93
Process technician/lab analyst, level 1 certification: $27.61
Process technician/lab analyst: $26.59
Wastewater treatment facilities building process maintainer: $24.48
Day operator, level 4 certification: $30.82
Lead operator, level 4 certification: $32.89
Water treatment plant operator, level 4 certification: $30.13
Day operator, level 3 certification: $30.13
Lead operator, small systems, level 3 certification: $32.21
Water treatment plant operator, level 3 certification: $29.54
Water treatment plant operator, level 2 certification: $28.93
Water treatment plant operator, level 1 certification: $27.61
Water treatment plant operator in training: $26.59
Water treatment facilities building process maintainer: $24.48
Industrial electrician: $32.20
Heavy duty mechanic: $29.01
Garage and plant mechanic: $27.94
Building stores attendant: $25.88
Sub foreman: $27.74
Collection systems operator 2: $26.54
Pumping station service person level 2: $26.54
Bio solids handler operator: $25.88
CCTV operator: $25.88
Collection systems operator I: $25.88
Pumping station service person level 1: $25.88
Collection systems apprentice: $23.10
Utility operator/wastewater maintainer: $23.38
Wastewater operations labourer: $22.43
Water operations sub foreman: $27.74
Utility operator, level 3: $27.22
Utility operator, level 2: $26.54
Utility maintenance: $26.54
Utility workers, level 1: $25.88
Service department operator: $25.18
Utility worker apprentice: $23.10
Water operations labourer: $22.43
Field service technician, level 4: $26.54
Field service technician, level 3: $25.88
Field service technician, level 2: $25.18
Field service technician, level 1: $24.48
Student: $14.53

Editor’s notes: Incentive pay: Employees will be given incentive pay for the non-use of sick leave. $500 for employees who take no sick leave, $400 for employees who take fewer than 3 days and $300 for employees who take fewer than 4 days. Birth or adoption leave: 2 paid days. Personal emergency or family illness: 3 paid days. Proof may be required for personal emergency or family illness leave.

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