WOULD YOU LIKE UNION RINGS WITH THAT?

IBEW Local 993 Secures Historic First Agreement for A&W Workers in Kamloops

A group of A&W workers in British Columbia’s Kamloops has ratified their first union contract with representation from IBEW Local 993. The agreement follows an 18-month effort to organize, educate, and bargain in a sector where unions are rare and employee protections are lacking.

The campaign started when more than 55 percent of the restaurant’s employees expressed interest in unionizing. Local 993 initially reached out to a union known for representing food service workers but received no response. Rather than walk away, they took on the challenge directly.

“These workers came to us asking for help,” said Brian Andrews, Organizer with Local 993. “We weren’t going to let them fall through the cracks just because this wasn’t our usual sector. Bargaining is our strength and that applies to any industry.”

The contract includes full union protections, a clear process for resolving issues, and the ability to revisit the agreement in two years. Employees will also receive a $200 signing bonus in A&W gift certificates. One of the biggest gains is the creation of the Pathways Program, a joint financial contribution between the employer and the IBEW to provide an annual bursary that employees can apply for to pursue training in the skilled trades.

“This isn’t just a contract. It’s a community-building tool,” said Dustin Brecht, IBEW First District Education Specialist and former Lead Organizer who worked alongside the 993 team on this initiative. “Many of these workers are young, new to Canada, or in their first job. We’re not simply representing them, We’re helping them see a future. The Pathways Program presents them with access to tools for growth.”

Organizing food service workers is difficult. The work is often short-term and the minimum wage in BC is among the top three in the country, which limits bargaining on pay. But union support is still critical. It creates clear rules and ensures no one is taken advantage of or intimidated.

“Workers in this sector often have the least support and the most to lose,” said Jim Bicknell, Business Manager of Local 993. “We believe they deserve the same protections and respect as anyone else.”

What began as a contract campaign has grown into a broader outreach effort. These workers now have access to union education and a national community that supports their rights and development.

“This agreement marks a strategic step into a non-traditional sector for the IBEW,” said Brecht. “Low-wage service jobs are where anti-union messaging spreads the fastest. Now, we have the opportunity to educate and connect with these workers in a meaningful way.”

The employer, while cautious at first, worked with the union to finalize the agreement. They supported the signing bonus and the Pathways Program, recognizing the value in creating a stable and engaged workforce.

IBEW International Vice President Russ Shewchuk welcomed the news.

“When the wage gap between workers and CEOs continues to widen, we have a duty to organize across every sector,” said Shewchuk. “These workers deserve protections, fair treatment, and the chance to build something better.”

IBEW Local 993 hopes this agreement encourages more workers from within food services and beyond to consider representation. It sets a strong example of how unions and employers can work together for lasting solutions.