Because you aren't currently unionized, you don’t have guaranteed wages, health benefits or a secure pension. You are an “at-will” employee. You check your rights at the door, and the Employer can fire you or change your conditions of employment at any time and for almost any reason.

Under a Teamsters contract the Employer is held to your collective agreement. Discipline must be for just cause and progressive. Not on a whim like it is now!

Inflation has gone through the roof, and the Employer has raised the price of concrete significantly and built a new plant. But management has failed to increase your pay significantly - haven't they?

By becoming a Teamster with your fellow drivers, you will have the strength to negotiate a legally binding contract that includes better wages, affordable health care, a secure retirement and a safer workplace.

Driving a mixer is a technical and stressful job, and you deserve to be compensated for that. Right now a Teamster driver at Lafarge make $43.85 per hour; $44.95/hr in 2025; and $46.07 in 2026. It is all laid out in their Teamsters contract. You get what you negotiate - and that is the beauty of being in the Teamsters Union! Without a union you just have to live with what management gives you...

(Plant Operator $46.58 / Labourer $36.51 / Yard Equipment Operator $44.24 / Millwright $53.08 / Class 1 Mixer Driver $45.44)

Right now, you don't know if your getting a raise next year - let alone how much of a raise. And without a contract, it can all change at the whim of your employer.

Currently a Lafarge driver earns about $90,730 without any overtime. However they get paid overtime after 8 hours; double time after 10 hours (not the 11 hours Graestone drivers have now); paid breaks; meal allowances; and double time when working Saturday.

Did you know that Ocean (Heidelberg) Teamsters are paid for breaks they don't take during their shift? They are paid overtime for their breaks and it averages about $22,000 a year in extra income. How many breaks have you missed this year because a ticket popped up when you rolled in the yard? A few thousand dollars worth I bet.

That is what we have negotiated for other Teamsters! Currently Coquitlam Concrete earns $5.25 per hour into their pension - paid by the Employer. And it increases 25 cents per year until 2026 ($6.00/hr).

And don't think a Teamster pension won't help you if you are older... 

You will receive an unreduced pension if your retirement date is the end of the month in which you have satisfied ALL of the following criteria:
(a) attained age 61;
(b) accumulated 12 or more years of credited service, and
(c) had contributions made on your behalf in or after the month in which your 55th birthday occurred.

See Page 9 of the Teamsters Pension Book for details! And if you are looking for that or other specific information on the Teamsters Local 213 Pension you can download the booklet by clicking here.

That is what we have negotiated for other Teamster drivers! That is why it is important to join the Teamsters Union and get it in writing. Currently the Employer can reduce your benefits to a bare-bones plan or eliminate your benefits at will! When you have a collective agreement, you are legally protected!

NO! Membership cards are confidential. The cards go directly from the Union to the BC Labour Board - and both BC and Canadian labour law contain express provisions preventing any Employer access to the cards or identifying information. Under labour law every employee is free to be a member of a trade union and there are severe penalties if management threatens, intimidates or discriminates against you. You don't have to answer any questions from management. And if any problems or concerns come up call Business Agent Graeme Collins (604-861-2079) immediately.

If you have more questions, you can reach out to Graeme Collins at 604-861-2079 ( Graeme@Teamsters213.org ). You might know Graeme, he used to be a driver at Rempel and is now a Project Coordinator for our Teamsters Local 213. He is ready to help you!