Labour Relations

TransAlta has seven unions and 12 different bargaining units in Canada, the U.S and Mexico, and maintains positive working relations with these organizations. About 1,480, or 59 per cent, of TransAlta’s employees are covered by collective bargaining units. These include many of our frontline people who operate our power plants and coal mines.

In 2004, our company reached collective bargaining agreements with seven bargaining units, affecting 1,300 employees. These units included:

• Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP), Local 672 in Sarnia, Ontario, and Local 707 at Poplar Creek near Fort McMurray, Alberta
• Sole Union of Electrical Workers of the Mexican Republic (SUTERM) in Campeche, Mexico
• Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), Local 1967 in Mississauga, Ontario
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 125 in Centralia, Washington state, and Local 254 for our Alberta thermal and hydro facilities
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 612 in Centralia, Washington state

Under their agreements, union employees may use a set grievance procedure to raise job issues. In 2004, there were about 80 formal grievances filed, involving issues about hours of work, overtime, contracting out, terminations and disciplinary action taken by the company. Only three of these disputes went to grievance arbitration.

Our union agreements also provide for occupational health and safety committees, which provide a forum where management and union representatives can discuss potential EH&S incidents and share ideas for promoting safe work practices as part of our daily business activities. Through these committees, we are working together to advance our Target Zero vision of no injuries in the workplace.