Waste Management members ratify significant wage gains
August 10, 2026
Members of UFCW Local 175 who work at Waste Management in Sudbury recently ratified a new collective agreement. While this round of bargaining required the assistance of a Conciliation Officer, the resulting agreements contains significant wage gains and more.
In year one, wages will increase across the board by 6.1%. Subsequent increases total another 10% over the remaining years in the collective agreement term. Members will also benefit from increased premiums including $3 per hour, up from $1, for the Driver Team Lead. In addition, Designated Driver Trainers receive an adjustment of $3 per hour for all hours worked, and the AZ license premium improves to $3 as well.
During this round of bargaining, the Union Negotiating Committee held strong against the employer’s attempts to take away banked overtime. As a result, members will continue to benefit from the practice of banking hours. In addition, the Committee brought concerns to the table regarding recent options for door-to-door pickup and related health and safety concerns, which led to the Joint Health & Safety Committee’s (JHSC) involvement going forward.
To help members plan for retirement, the Union Negotiating Committee secured new language that will see the employer match up to 2% of an employee’s contributions to an RRSP, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.
Further monetary improvements include increased dental coverage to $2,000 per year, up from $1,000, and an enhanced work book allowance of $250, up from $200, twice per year.
Language improvements will see the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation added to the list of paid holidays in the Waste Management collective agreement. In addition, the scope of this agreement now includes any new work in or around Northern Ontario.
Union Negotiating Committee: Alexander Krolick, Thomas McNeil, and Union Representatives Jeff Barry and Peter Wasney.
Catch up on all the negotiation highlights from across the province here.