Praxair Canada

Renewal agreement: Effective March 13, 2020 to March 12, 2023. Ratified on Oct. 31, 2020. Signed on March 13, 2020.

Wage adjustments:

Effective March 13, 2020: $0.25 per hour

Effective March 13, 2021: $0.65 per hour

Effective March 13, 2022: $0.85 per hour

Shift premium: $1 per hour over highest rate supervised when employer designates lead-hand. $50 per month, in lieu of shift premium, for employees who work on rotating 2-shift acetylene schedule on regular basis (at employee’s choice). $1.25 per hour (previously $1.15 per hour) for all employees who work after 6 p.m. and before 6 a.m. $120 per week for 4 junior cylinder truck/delivery drivers who will be on call on rotational basis.

Paid holidays: 11 days.

Overtime: Time and one-half for work after 8 or 10 hours per day, double time after 12 hours of work. Double time for all hours worked (if employee is working more than 6 hours) on first day of rest; double time for any employee required to work on second day of rest.

Medical benefits: Employer pays 100% of premiums for Alberta Healthcare.

STD: Employer pays 100% of premiums.

LTD: Employee pays 100% of premiums.

AD&D: Coverage of 2 times flex salary.

Life insurance: Coverage of 2 times flex salary.

Pension: Employees will participate in company pension plan.

Bereavement leave: Employer may give additional 3 days of personal leave with pay.

Seniority – recall rights: 9 months for layoffs.

Call-in pay: Minimum 4 hours of pay.

Probationary period: 90 calendar days of employment.

Severance: 1 week’s pay for each year of service, maximum 18 weeks for employees terminated due to technological change.

Safety shoes: Employer will supply approved safety footwear to each employee from selected list from employer’s approved local supplier.

Uniforms/clothing: Employer will provide hard hats of suitable type; gloves of suitable type; leather or rubber aprons; rubber boots; suitable winter clothing for employees required to work outside; rainwear protection for truck drivers, cylinder handlers. Driver’s clothing will be replaced every 2 years: 5 shirts; 3 pants; 1 each winter jacket, summer jacket, winter pants (insulated). For employees who require coveralls, shop coats, employer will provide adequate uniforms and launder them at no cost. Appropriate jackets for cold weather will be provided to employees upon request.

Sample rates of hourly pay (current, after $1.75-per-hour increase):

Plant

Cylinder handler: $28.52 rising 2 steps to $30.02

Cylinder processor: $33.23 rising 2 steps to $34.73

Dispatch/tractor-trailer: $33.23 rising 2 steps to $34.73

Cylinder truck/delivery (class 3): $33.23 rising 2 steps to $34.73

Plant service technician: $40.05 rising 2 steps to $41.55

Spec-gases lab

Analyst gas: $34.59 rising 2 steps to $36.09

Administration

Admin support: $25.87 rising 2 steps to $27.37

Process support: $27.63 rising 2 steps to $29.13

Editor’s notes: Ear protection: At employee’s request, employer will provide custom-fitted earplugs for employees who have preference for hearing protection and will be replaced every 3 years. Employer will offer custom earplug fitting twice per year (after 1 year of service). Prescription safety glasses: Employer will supply 1 pair of employer-approved prescription safety glasses with permanently attached side shields to employees with corrective lenses whose jobs require safety glasses (will be replaced when necessary). Medical exams: Employer will pay for all driver medical exams required to maintain license class. Longevity premium: Lump-sum payment in recognition of service in December of anniversary year: $575 (previously $550) after 5 years of service; $575 after 10 years; $575 after 15 years; $575 after 20 years; $575 after 25 years; $575 after 30 years; $575 after 35 years; $575 after 40 years. Travel expenses: Employees who stay away from home overnight on employer business will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred (fares, meals, lodgings).