Langley, October 30, 2024 – Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is pleased to announce that the employees of Coast Mountain Hydro have voted to ratify a new four-year collective agreement, securing a significant 22% wage increase over the term. Alongside the wage gains, the agreement includes enhanced contributions to RRSPs, increased paramedical coverage, and improved sick time provisions.
Coast Mountain Hydro Services, an independent power producer located on the traditional territory of the Tahltan Nation, operates three hydroelectric sites in Northern British Columbia: Forrest Kerr, which generates 195 megawatts (MW); McLymont Creek, with a capacity of 66 MW; and Volcano Creek, producing 16 MW. Together, these facilities play an important role in producing clean, renewable energy for British Columbia, with a combined capacity of 277 MW. Coast Mountain Hydro employs over 30 skilled professionals who work out of an onsite camp near Stewart, BC, and who are represented by Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Coast Mountain Hydro is partly owned by and operates in partnership with the Tahltan First Nations.
In the fall of 2021, Local 258 IBEW successfully organized the workers at Coast Mountain Hydro, a significant achievement as it was one of the first independent power producers (IPP) in British Columbia to unionize. Challenges arose due to the remote location of Coast Mountain Hydro, requiring initial online engagement and eventual face-to-face meetings to address concerns and build trust. Ultimately, Local 258’s efforts resulted in a close but successful vote to unionize. When it came time to vote on the first contract in 2022, the support was nearly unanimous. This marked a milestone in unionizing British Columbia’s private power sector.
“This renewed agreement reflects both the hard work of our members and the collaborative approach we’ve developed with Coast Mountain Hydro,” said Cody Gatzke, Business Manager of Local 258. “We look forward to supporting the workforce at these sites as they continue to deliver clean, reliable power to communities within British Columbia.”
For more information, please contact:
Local 258 IBEW
Ken Mitchell
kmitchell@ibew258.bc.ca
|