29.05.2007

Crane strike drags on

A crane operators strike in Ontario is heading into its second week with no signs of a solution.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793, which includes a large number of Ontario’s crane operators remain on strike as talks continue.

So far members have rejected a three percent pay rise plus a number of non-monetary items such as requirements for apprentices on jobs and a four-day/10 hour a day working week.

Pay rates for operating engineers vary according to the equipment and location but a Toronto based crane operator on a 15 tonne crane is said to earn C$44.47 (£20.75) an hour, of which $32.60 (£15.20) is the basic wage, $3.26 (£1.50) or 10 per cent is vacation pay, $3.12 (£1.45) covers health and dental benefits and $5.49 (£2.55) comprises pension benefits.

While not all cranes are grounded, the strike has affected a number of job sites in the province.