Employers in construction sectors across Hamilton, Niagara and surrounding areas bound by new agreement effective January 1, 2026
The Greater Hamilton and Niagara Construction Association (GHNCA) and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 have finalized a three-year collective agreement covering workers in the road, sewer and watermain, and heavy engineering sectors of the construction industry in OLRB Board Areas 5 and 26. The agreement was signed February 10, 2026, and runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028.
The geographic scope encompasses the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Haldimand County, the City of Hamilton, the City of Burlington, and portions of Milton and Beverly Township. The agreement covers equipment operators, mechanics, welders, and apprentices across multiple work classifications organized into six schedules.
| Employer association | Greater Hamilton and Niagara Construction Association (GHNCA) |
| Union | International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 |
| Province | Ontario |
| Sectors | Road, sewer and watermain, tunnel, heavy engineering, flushing/CCTV/hydro excavation |
| OLRB areas | Board Areas 5 and 26 |
| Term | January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028 |
| Top wage (Sched. B, 2026) | $51.21/hr (crane operators) |
| Top wage (Sched. B, 2028) | $54.37/hr |
| Vacation/holiday pay | 10% of gross wages, paid weekly |
| Shift premium | $5.40/hr (2026) for second or third shift |
| Foreman premium | $2.00/hr over highest crew rate |
Wages and classifications
The agreement is structured across six schedules, each applying to different work types and geographic areas.
Schedule A — Road work, OLRB Area 26
Standard hours are 50 per week (7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), with overtime at 1.5x beyond 10 hours per day or 50 hours per week, and on Saturdays. Double time applies on Sundays and holidays.
| Classification | Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavators, draglines, gradalls, Grader “A”, fine grade bulldozer, cranes, boomtruck | $50.58 | $52.16 | $53.74 |
| Clams (yard), mechanics, welders | $49.67 | $51.02 | $52.37 |
| Bulldozers, front-end loaders, scrapers, concrete paver, asphalt grinder/planer | $49.33 | $50.68 | $52.03 |
| Engineers on boilers (with papers), asphalt spreader, asphalt roller, Shuttlebuggy | $49.21 | $50.56 | $51.91 |
| Farm/industrial tractors with excavating attachments, rubber-tire backhoes, skid steers, trenching machines | $49.07 | $50.42 | $51.77 |
| Boiler fireman (without papers), burnerman on asphalt plant | $48.67 | $50.02 | $51.37 |
| Roller operator (asphalt) “B”, mobile sweeper | $48.36 | $49.71 | $51.06 |
| Farm/industrial type tractor, grade rollerman | $48.11 | $49.46 | $50.81 |
Schedule B — Open-cut sewer and watermain, OLRB Area 26
Standard hours are 50 per week. Overtime at 1.5x beyond 10 hours per day or 50 hours per week. Double time on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
| Classification | Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers operating cranes, excavators, pile-drivers, gradalls, mobile cranes, Grader “A”, fine grade bulldozer, boom truck | $51.21 | $52.79 | $54.37 |
| Heavy duty field mechanics and equipment repair welders | $50.04 | $51.43 | $52.82 |
| Bulldozers, tractors, scrapers, front-end loaders, trenching machines, rubber-tire backhoes, skid steers, curb machines | $49.94 | $51.33 | $52.72 |
| Servicemen on excavators, compressors, pumps, self-propelled rollers | $48.83 | $50.15 | $51.47 |
| Oilers, greasers, mechanics helpers — Third year | $48.43 | $49.75 | $51.07 |
| Oilers, greasers, mechanics helpers — Second year | $47.43 | $48.75 | $50.07 |
| Oilers, greasers, mechanics helpers — First year | $46.43 | $47.75 | $49.07 |
Schedule C — Tunnel work, sewer and watermain
Standard hours are 45 per week or 9 per day, Monday to Friday. Overtime at 1.5x beyond those thresholds; double time on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. A shift premium of $5.40/hr applies to second and third shifts. Compressed air premiums range from $14.50 per shift at 1–14 lbs. pressure to $22.00 at 21 lbs., plus $1.50 per additional pound over 21 lbs.
| Classification | Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers operating hoists, tuggers, derricks over 2,000 lbs., self-erecting tower cranes | $51.11 | $52.52 | $53.93 |
| Heavy duty field mechanics | $50.31 | $51.72 | $53.13 |
| Engineers on shaft hoists, tuggers/derricks 2,000 lbs. or less, compressor operators 500 CFM and over | $50.21 | $51.62 | $53.03 |
Schedule D — Heavy engineering and ICI sectors
For work within the heavy engineering and ICI sectors, the Provincial Collective Agreement between the Operating Engineers Employer and Employee Bargaining Agencies applies. Work beyond the one-metre perimeter of a building or structure footprint is not considered ICI sector work.
Schedule E — Niagara Hiring Hall, OLRB Area 5
Applies to employees dispatched through the Union’s Niagara Hiring Hall for road and open-cut sewer and watermain work in Board Area 5. Standard hours are 50 per week, with the same overtime structure as Schedule A. A shift premium of $5.40/hr applies to second and third shifts. Travel time is paid for work outside the Regional Municipality of Niagara, at rates from 1 hour (up to 80 km) to 1.75 hours (120–140 km), plus $0.72/km for personal vehicle use beyond a 16-km free zone.
| Classification | Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranes 70 tons and over, working foreman | $43.62 | $46.06 | $49.04 |
| Crawler cranes, mobile cranes, pile-drivers, boom truck, spider crane | $42.72 | $45.16 | $48.14 |
| Crawler backhoes, gradalls, graders, mechanics, welders, asphalt plant, asphalt spreader, concrete paver | $41.72 | $44.16 | $47.14 |
| Bulldozers, front-end loaders, crawler tractors, asphalt roller, curb machines | $41.28 | $43.49 | $46.26 |
| Bobcat skid steer, Kubota backhoe, trenchers, off-highway hauling | $39.82 | $42.03 | $44.80 |
| Self-propelled roller, farm tractor, pump 6″ and over | $37.50 | $39.71 | $42.48 |
Schedule F — Flushing, CCTV inspection, hydro and air excavation
Applies in Board Areas 26 and 5. Regular hours are 50 per week (five 10-hour days, Monday to Friday), plus up to one hour per day travelling time at straight time. Overtime at 1.5x applies beyond 50 hours per week or 10 hours per day. Saturday work is paid at 1.5x; Sundays and statutory holidays at 2x. A night shift premium of $5.40/hr applies to shifts with the majority of hours between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. An emergency solo night shift premium of $50.00 per occurrence also applies. Combo, Flusher, Hydro/Air Excavation Tradesperson and Straight Vac Tradesperson must hold a valid DZ, AZ or AZ/ARZ licence.
Board Area 26:
| Classification | Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro/Air Excavation Tradesperson, Straight Vac Tradesperson | $44.00 | $45.35 | $46.70 |
| Helper — Hydro/Air Excavation, Straight Vac | $39.24 | $40.59 | $41.94 |
| CCTV, Combo Flushing, Pipe Cleaning | $42.09 | $43.44 | $44.79 |
Board Area 5:
| Classification | Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro/Air Excavation Tradesperson, Straight Vac Tradesperson | $40.73 | $42.08 | $43.43 |
| Helper — Hydro/Air Excavation, Straight Vac | $36.21 | $37.56 | $38.91 |
| CCTV, Combo Flushing, Pipe Cleaning | $40.73 | $42.08 | $43.43 |
Benefits, pension and funds
Employer contributions to the IUOE Local 793 Health and Pension Plans vary by schedule. For employees dispatched under Schedules A, B and C, total combined contributions rise from $13.86/hr in 2026 to $14.21/hr in 2027 and $14.56/hr in 2028. Schedule E contributions move from $12.50/hr to $12.85/hr and then $13.20/hr over the same period. Schedule F contributions go from $12.02/hr to $12.37/hr to $12.72/hr.
A Health Plan Dollar Bank maximum of $15,696.00 governs allocation between the health and pension plans. For employees below the maximum, contributions are split between both plans; for those at or above the maximum, all contributions redirect to the pension plan.
The agreement includes a Supplementary Unemployment Benefit (SUB) Plan with employer contributions of $0.36/hr across all three years for Schedules A, B, C, E and F. The SUB Plan was registered with both the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada, with the union holding responsibility for maintaining registration.
A Group Legal Benefit Plan receives $12.00 per month from designated benefit contributions. Training Fund contributions are $0.49/hr, with $0.05/hr of that allocated to the National Training Fund. The DeNovo Treatment Centre receives $0.05/hr, and an Industry Fund collects $0.10/hr plus HST for each hour worked.
Working dues are deducted at 2% of total monetary package per hour, and Advancement Dues of $0.25/hr are deducted effective January 1, 2026.
Hours of work and premiums
Across most schedules, the standard workweek is 50 hours, running 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with start and end times adjustable by up to two hours. A 30-minute unpaid lunch break and two 10-minute rest breaks per shift apply universally. When a shift exceeds 12 continuous hours, employers must provide a hot meal or pay $20.00 in lieu.
A shift premium of $5.40/hr applies to all regularly scheduled second or third shifts across Schedules A, B, C and E. Working foremen receive a $2.00/hr premium above the highest rate in their regular crew.
Reporting allowances provide a minimum of four hours’ pay when no work is available for reasons other than inclement weather, and two hours’ pay for inclement weather stoppages, provided the employee remains available on-site. If a foreman directs an employee to start a machine, a minimum of three hours applies.
For out-of-area work, travel expenses are paid at $0.72/km each way from the board area boundary, with room and board provided for overnight assignments. The meal allowance for out-of-town stays is $70.00/day effective January 1, 2026.
Vacation and statutory holidays
Vacation and statutory holiday pay is set at 10% of gross wages, paid weekly. The 10 recognized statutory holidays are New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Workers who perform work on any of these holidays receive double time. The parties jointly recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; no worker may face discrimination for electing to take that day off.
Where a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed the following Monday and/or Tuesday unless the parties agree otherwise. No work may be performed on Labour Day except to save life, limb or property.
Apprentices and trainees
The agreement establishes a Heavy Equipment Operator Apprentice program covering three trades: Tractor Loader Backhoe (636A), Excavator (636B) and Dozer (636C). Apprentices entering through the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario begin at 65% of the journeyperson base rate for their first 1,000 hours, move to 75% for the next 1,000 hours, then 85% for the final 500 hours, reaching journeyperson rates after 2,500 hours total.
Employers must maintain a ratio of at minimum one trainee or apprentice per nine journeyperson operating engineers. No more than three trainees or indentured apprentices may be employed simultaneously. If an apprentice operates equipment outside their designated trade for more than 10 days or 100 hours in any consecutive three-month season, the employer must pay the journeyperson rate for that equipment.
Operator Trainees may also be engaged for equipment categories without a recognized provincial trade classification. Trainees must keep a daily work record signed off weekly by the employer and provide copies to the union hall every 30 days.
Union security and grievance
New employees must apply for union membership within 15 calendar days of hiring. Employers may recruit through the union office or name-hire from the union hall; if the union cannot supply workers within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays), employers may source elsewhere. Employees hired from outside must apply for membership within seven days.
In the event of layoff, the order of priority is: first, applicants for membership; second, out-of-province members on permits or travel cards; third, members in receipt of a Local 793 retirement pension; and last, all other union members.
The grievance procedure runs through two steps, with monetary grievances to be filed within three months of the originating event. Unresolved grievances proceed to a single arbitrator, selected within 10 days of either party requesting arbitration. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator within that window, either may apply to the Minister of Labour under section 48(4) of the Ontario Labour Relations Act. Arbitration costs are split equally.
Letters of understanding
Six letters of understanding accompany the agreement. The first commits GHNCA to adopt any health and safety training prerequisites added to the provincial collective agreement. The second provides that the union will not enter into agreements with inferior wages or conditions for work covered by this agreement. The third addresses GHNCA’s accreditation application at the OLRB, allowing Niagara contractors to revert to independent agreements should accreditation be denied. The fourth permits employers with established bi-weekly or Friday payroll practices to continue those practices through December 31, 2026, before full compliance with weekly Thursday pay takes effect. The fifth confirms that emulsion crews are compensated at the roller operator “B” classification under provincial accredited agreements. The sixth identifies additional equipment classifications covered under Schedule E for seven named Niagara-area employers, with the question of incorporating those classifications into Schedule E for all employers to be addressed in bargaining for the 2029 renewal.
See the original agreement here.
WordPress focus keyphrase: GHNCA IUOE Local 793 collective agreement 2026
NAICS: 237 (Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction)
