Alberta welders join Oct. 1 labour action seeking $150 hourly rate

Alberta rig welders are preparing to join a labour action starting Oct. 1, following a stand-down that began Sept. 1 in British Columbia's Peace region. Roughly 160 independent contractors in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and surrounding areas are seeking a minimum $150 hourly rate and changes to fuel and supply arrangements.

The movement has grown rapidly from double-digit members to more than 1,000 independent welders across British Columbia and Alberta within months. The problem, welders say, has been building for more than 15 years as rates have failed to keep pace with inflation and the changing economics of running independent welding businesses.

Craig Fiset, a Fort St. John-based welding contractor who has worked in the trade since 1997 and owned his own business since 2004, is heading to Grande Prairie this week to support Alberta's participation. He estimates it would take $370 today to match the purchasing power of $120 in 2008—a stark illustration of how far wages have fallen behind inflation. "For the most part, it seems long overdue," Fiset said.

Fiset points out that other trades have seen rates increase over the same period. "Other trades at the same rate, why has the rate gone up for others and not us?" he said. A common $150 rate across the region would make it easier for local contractors to compete for work and prevent companies from undercutting them by bringing in lower-priced labour from outside.

While Fiset acknowledges that oil and gas companies are dealing with financial pressures—"It's a tough region in B.C. to compete"—he emphasizes that wage stagnation has pushed many to the breaking point. The Oct. 1 action is also about solidarity among trades. Electricians, gas fitters and truckers face their own concerns over compensation and working conditions. "If wage just kept up with inflation, most would be happy," Fiset said. "A lot of us are planning to be there to support our neighbours."