After the membership rejected a negotiated tentative agreement in early September, the final contract offer from Emera Utility Services was ratified by a slim majority (34-31). Voting took place between September 25th and 27th and the results were tallied on Monday September 30th. This outside construction contract contains one of the highest per diems in Canada. Highlights include:

• 4-year contract
• 2.5% annual wage increase per year on the contract anniversary
• added total employer contribution of $1/hour to employee pension, an increase of $0.25/hour per year 
• per diem language remains the same as current contract (no change)
• increase in bank time from 45 hours to 90 hours
• payment for travel in line vehicles where there was no provision for compensation before
• boot allowance increase $50 over life of contract

We trust that this ratified contract will help Emera Utility Services secure steady future work for 1928's outside construction members.