February 17, 2006
Manitoba’s construction industry will see long-overdue increases to the construction industry wage schedules to help retain tradespeople in the province following a review implemented last fall by Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan. The review was undertaken in response to the request of the construction industry and labour.
“The results of this long-overdue review will help remove obstacles that were hurting our construction industry’s growth potential and competitive edge by making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain skilled construction workers in Manitoba,” said Allan. “We are revamping the wage schedules with the unanimous support of business and labour in the construction industry to ensure they provide fair wages and working conditions across the province, level the playing field within the industry and develop the skilled workforce so essential to sustainable economic growth.”
A joint industry-labour panel, chaired by Bill Hamilton of the Manitoba Labour Board, reviewed the regulated wages and hours-of-work provisions under the provincial legislation. The panel consisted of employer and labour representatives covering rural and urban construction. The wage rates for most of the classifications in the various schedules have not been increased since 1991 and have fallen far behind current industry practices.
The changes to the wage schedules affecting building projects in Winnipeg will see general average increases of 21 per cent over two steps on June 1 and Oct. 1. Existing rural schedules will be combined into one rural schedule with the wage rates increased to 80 per cent of the Winnipeg rate on June 1 and then 90 per cent on Oct. 1. Projects covered by the heavy construction schedule will receive a general average increase of 33 per cent over two steps June 1 and Jan. 1, 2007.
“This review has put an end to significant regional wage discrepancies, inconsistent job classifications and other unnecessary complexities in the regulations that were holding our construction industry back,” said Allan. “The support of the construction industry and labour for this strategy is based on the need to attract and retain skilled construction workers provincewide. The changes are intended to harmonize the various schedules and encourage employers and employees to utilize the apprenticeship training system. We need to have our regulations reflect the industry’s reality.”
Other recommendations submitted by the review panel included setting the standard hours of work for non-heavy construction at 10 hours per day or 40 hours per week, creating a uniform set of classifications and changing the definition of a major project from 50,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet.
More information can be found at http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Changes to Construction Industry Wages Act Regulations
Effective June 1
Summary of Industry Panel Recommendations
-
(1) Winnipeg/Major – This schedule will cover Greater Winnipeg (as currently defined) except a major project will now include anything over 25,000 square feet.-
(2) Rural – This schedule will cover all construction work not in Winnipeg or considered a major project. On June 1, the rates will be 80 per cent of the Winnipeg rates. On Oct. 1, the rates will be 90 per cent of the Winnipeg rates.-
Trades designated under the Apprenticeship Act will have a single journeyperson rate. Any entry level and skill differential rates will be determined under the Apprenticeship Regulations.-
Non-designated trades will have specific trainee rates designated in the Construction Industry Wages Act (CIWA) Regulations as follows:§
Trainee 1 is defined as an individual who works up to 1,200 hours and will be entitled to 60 per cent of the established CIWA rate.§
Trainee 2 is defined as an individual that works 1,201 to 2,400 hours and will be entitled to 80 per cent of the CIWA rate.§
After 2,401 hours, the worker will be entitled to the full journeyperson rate.§
There will be a ratio of one trainee for every journeyperson.The entry level rates for each trade in the heavy construction sector have been removed.
Appendix A – ICI Fair Wage Schedule
|
Winnipeg/Major Building |
Rural |
|||
| Classifications |
June 1, 2006 |
Oct. 1, 2006 |
June 1, 2006 |
Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
1. Asbestos abatement worker journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$19.00 $15.20 $11.40 |
$19.50 $15.60 $11.70 |
$15.20 $12.16 $9.12 |
$17.55 $14.04 $10.53 |
| 2. Boilermaker journeyperson |
$25.10 |
$25.80 |
$20.08 |
$23.22 |
| 3. Bricklayer journeyperson |
$26.60 |
$26.90 |
$21.28 |
$24.21 |
| 4. Carpenter journeyperson |
$24.15 |
$24.50 |
$19.32 |
$22.05 |
| 5. Concrete finisher journeyperson |
$20.85 |
$21.15 |
$16.68 |
$19.04 |
| 6. Construction electrician journeyperson |
$28.00 |
$28.95 |
$22.40 |
$26.06 |
| 7. Crane and hoisting
equipment operator (a) Mobile crane operator (b) Tower crane operator (c) Boom truck hoist operator |
$23.84 $25.65 $20.60 |
$24.20 $26.15 $21.00 |
$19.07 $20.52 $16.48 |
$21.78 $23.54 $18.90 |
| 8. Elevator
constructor journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$30.00 $24.00 $18.00 |
$30.00 $24.00 $18.00 |
$24.00 $19.20 $14.40 |
$27.00 $21.60 $16.20 |
| 9. Floor coverer
journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$21.95 $17.56 $13.17 |
$22.50 $18.00 $13.50 |
$17.56 $14.05 $10.54 |
$20.25 $16.20 $12.15 |
| 10. Glazier journeyperson |
$22.80 |
$23.40 |
$18.24 |
$21.06 |
|
11. Industrial mechanic (millwright) journeyperson |
$26.05 |
$26.70 |
$20.84 |
$24.03 |
| 12. Insulator journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$22.40 $17.92 $13.44 |
$23.10 $18.48 $13.86 |
$17.92 $14.34 $10.75 |
$20.79 $16.63 $12.47 |
| 13. Ironworker journeyperson (a) Structural steel erector (b) Reinforcing iron (rebar) (c) Miscellaneous metal worker/ornamental worker |
$26.20 $22.65 $25.20 |
$26.90 $23.35 $26.49 |
$20.96 $18.12 $20.16 |
$24.21 $21.02 $23.84 |
| 14.1 Specialty labourer
(assisting bricklayer)
(a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b)Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$19.80 $15.84 $11.88 |
$19.85 $15.88 $11.91 |
$15.84 $12.67 $9.50 |
$17.87 $14.30 $10.72 |
|
14.2 General construction labourer (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$18.60 $14.88 $11.16 |
$18.90 $15.12 $11.34 |
$14.88 $11.90 $8.93 |
$17.01 $13.61 $10.21 |
|
14.3 Construction worker |
$11.75 |
$12.20 |
$9.40 |
$10.98 |
|
Winnipeg/Major Building |
Rural |
|||
| Classifications |
June 1, 2006 |
Oct. 1, 2006 |
June 1, 2006 |
Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
15. Lather (interior systems mechanic) journeyperson |
$22.25 |
$22.25 |
$17.80 |
$20.03 |
|
16. Marble, tile and terrazzo journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$21.20 $16.96 $12.72 |
$21.30 $17.04 $12.78 |
$16.96 $13.57 $10.18 |
$19.17 $15.34 $11.50 |
| 17. Painter, decorator journeyperson |
$20.85 |
$21.35 |
$16.68 |
$19.22 |
| 18. Plasterer
journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$22.25 $17.80 $13.35 |
$22.30 $17.84 $13.38 |
$17.80 $14.24 $10.68 |
$20.07 $16.06 $12.04 |
| 19. Plumber journeyperson |
$28.00 |
$28.60 |
$22.40 |
$25.74 |
|
20. Pre-fabricated metal building erector journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 0 to 1,200 hours) |
$22.20 $17.76 $13.32 |
$24.00 $19.20 $14.40 |
$17.76 $14.21 $10.66 |
$21.60 $17.28 $12.96 |
|
21. Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic journeyperson |
$27.10 |
$27.80 |
$21.68 |
$25.02 |
| 22. Roofer journeyperson |
$22.65 |
$23.15 |
$18.12 |
$20.84 |
|
23. Sheeter, decker and cladder journeyperson (a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$25.50 $20.40 $15.30 |
$25.95 $20.76 $15.57 |
$20.40 $16.32 $12.24 |
$23.36 $18.69 $14.02 |
| 24. Sheet metal worker journeyperson |
$28.55 |
$29.50 |
$22.84 |
$26.55 |
|
25. Sprinkler system installer journeyperson |
$30.75 |
$31.05 |
$24.60 |
$27.95 |
| 26. Steamfitter/pipefitter journeyperson |
$28.00 |
$28.60 |
$22.40 |
$25.74 |
| 27. Scaffolder journeyperson
(a) Trainee 2 (1,201 to 2,400 hours) (b) Trainee 1 (0 to 1,200 hours) |
$24.15 $19.32 $14.49 |
$24.50 $19.60 $14.70 |
$19.32 $15.46 $11.59 |
$22.05 $17.64 $13.23 |
Appendix B – Heavy Construction Wage Schedule
|
June 1, 2006 |
Jan. 1, 2007 |
|
|
1. Mobile crane operator working on heavy construction |
$16.75 |
$17.70 |
|
2. Heavy duty mechanic or welder working on heavy equipment |
$15.30 |
$16.20 |
|
3. Operator of a dragline, clam shell, shovel, hydraulic excavator, pile driver and other equipment requiring similar skills |
$15.10 |
$16.00 |
|
4. Plant operator, operator of paving machine, dozer, loader, loader backhoe, grader, scraper, hydro excavator, tractor with controlled attachments, and other equipment requiring similar skills |
$13.50 |
$14.25 |
|
5. Truck operator of trucks with four or more axles, fuel truck, distribution truck, truck with hydraulic boom hoist |
$13.30 |
$14.00 |
|
6. Truck operator of trucks with less than four axles and more than 2,500 kgs |
$12.50 |
$13.20 |
|
7. Operator of light trucks (less than 2,500 kgs) ride-on/tractor-pulled compaction equipment and other equipment requiring similar skills |
$11.50 |
$12.40 |
|
8. Skilled labourer including concrete finisher, pipelayer, screedman and jobs requiring similar skills in the heavy construction industry |
$12.10 |
$12.80 |
|
9. General labourer in heavy construction industry not otherwise classified |
$10.50 |
$11.40 |
|
10. Watcher, flagger and rodman |
$ 9.00 |
$ 9.90 |