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More than 100 Unifor Local 530-A members turned out April 24 to leaflet the gates of their workplace at the Shell Scotford facility in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The energy workers are raising the profile of wage gaps between their facility and Shell Scotford's competitors.
“Implementing the gains from the national pattern agreement is a top priority for Unifor,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Whatever efforts the members at Shell Scotford undertake to secure the pattern, they have the full support of Unifor.”
Unifor Local 530-A is beginning a round of negotiations with the employer to match the wage and benefit increases in the Unifor national energy pattern agreement already ratified by the industry.
The multitude of contractors and non-union workers on the site has presented a challenge in past negotiations but the local bargaining committee had a message for those workers at the gate: “A lifting tide rises all boats: A good outcome for union workers at Shell puts upwards pressure on everyone’s wages, so you have every reason to support Local 530-A during these negotiations,” said Brad Gosse, chairperson of the unit. “We also want non-union workers to know that, should these negotiations reach an impasse and job action begins, Alberta law protects them if they refuse to perform union work during a dispute.”
Local 530-A’s contract with Shell expired on February 28, 2024. Mediation dates are scheduled for May 13, 14 and 15, 2024.
