Latest Local 955 News

Can you believe another year has come and gone? Time really does fly, but I hope over the last 12 months you’ve been able to share good moments with friends and family, and that nothing but health and success await you and your loved ones in 2025.

I’m proud to say that while the past year was not without its challenges - as all are – IUOE 955 had some incredible successes.

There are many moments to highlight from 2024, but a real stand out was at our Long Service Awards in September, where I was pleased to announce an additional 5 per cent pension boost, effective Jan. 1, 2025.  This boost, on top of a previous 5 per cent increase I announced in 2023, means members in good standing will see a more than 10 per cent earned rise to their pension, which goes a long way in a world of ever-rising costs. Thank you to all – past and present – who helped make this possible through prudent pension management.

We also made Alberta history this year when Advanced Education Minister, Rajan Sawhney announced provincial funding for our Budd Coutts Apprenticeship and Education Centre in April. This is the first time ever that a union training facility has received support from any provincial government. A lot of hard work went into making this funding a reality, and I’d like to send a big thanks to all who helped make that happen, including President, Declan Regan. This support is a true testament to the quality training we provide at Budd Coutts, and we look forward to skilling up many more crane and hoist pros with this crucial funding in 2025.

Moreover, we also saw a tower crane provided to Budd Coutts through the federal government’s UTIP program, which now gives IUOE 955 the only training tower crane on Canada’s prairies.

Another history-making moment was in May, when IUOE 955 organized a group of direct, front-line health care professionals at Primary Care North. While 955 is a proudly diverse local, representing working people in many sectors, we’ve never had front-line health care folks before, and we’re so proud to welcome more than 70 of them to the 955 family. I’m pleased to say their first collective agreement was reached just a few weeks ago.

Speaking of organizing, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that in September, workers at Omega Morgan voted 100% in favour of unionizing with IUOE 955. We also had around 110 workers at Oosita Bluewater in Fort McMurray vote overwhelming in favour of 955 union membership in early December. A big shout out to Assistant Business Manager, Anthony Noseworthy and our amazing organizing team for their work to bring these folks a better work life through our union.

Some great happenings in bargaining occurred in 2024, too. A considerable one was with Cropac Equipment this summer. After working for more than 5 years to have the union recognized, and following a very rare remedial certification from the Alberta Labour Relations Board, workers at Cropac ratified their first ever collective agreement on July 11, which included an immediate 22 per cent increase to wages and more. Thank you to those members, and IUOE 955 staff, who pushed hard to have the right to organize honoured for the hard-working folks at Cropac.

In addition to Cropac, IUOE 955 bargained several leading contracts throughout the year, with fair agreements reached at: County of Paintearth; County of Wetaskiwin; LaFarge Winterburn Shop; Heidelberg Materials Aggregates; Coal Valley; LaPrairie Shop and more.

Above these great moments, we also hosted our first ever signatory contractor symposium and job fair at the hall in Fort McMurray; joined thousands of workers at the legislature to demand Charter-protected bargaining rights be upheld; presented at the Premier’s Summit on Fairness for Newcomers in Calgary; launched our “Organizing 101” video series; launched “Connected” mini-mag; participated in Tradeswomen Build Nations in New Orleans; made changes to the OE 955 Health and Wellness benefits provider to maximize your benefits experience; hosted our first “Show and Shine” at the Fort Mac hall; hosted “955 Family Fun Days” at halls across Alberta; began crane and overburden bargaining; launched the “Stop the Wage Theft” campaign for overburden; hosted “Holiday Pics with Old St. Nick at all union halls; participated in the Provincial Government’s Ministerial Roundtable with Alberta Newcomer Agencies; launched a YouTube channel; hopped on Tik Tok and much more.

As you can see, IUOE 955 made incredible progress this year. New relationships have been developed, more workers are members of our union, our reach has expanded, members are more informed, and we are just getting started.

I know 2025 will be one of our best years yet, and I sincerely look forward to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you as IUOE 955 continues to lead the way in areas that gain us market share, grow our influence and most importantly, make your work life better.

Thank you for being a part of our growing union and all the best over the next 12 months.

Sincerely and in solidarity,

Chris Flett