Union official says electricians among the lowest-paid skilled trades in New Brunswick
Construction electricians represented by IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 1555 brought their strike to Sackville Thursday, gathering outside Mount Allison University’s new library and athletics building as contract negotiations with employers remain stalled.
The demonstration marked the first strike action in the Tantramar region since about 180 unionized construction electricians walked off the job on June 18. The previous collective agreement expired at the end of 2025, and negotiations have continued since last fall without a new deal. The union says wages remain the central issue.
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Jeff Morash is the business manager and financial secretary for IBEW Local 1555. CHMA News spoke with Morash yesterday after the demonstration.
“We were there just to show our solidarity,” Morash said. “We had the plumbers with the UA local and we had the elevator mechanics. And both of those trades did not report for work today as well . . . it turns, you know, one voice into many.”
Falling behind other trades
Morash says electricians represented by the union have gradually fallen behind both other skilled trades and electricians in other parts of Canada.
“Our biggest issue is wages and wage structure and benefits,” he said. “Our unionized electricians in New Brunswick are some of the lowest paid in the province. When compared to the rest of Canada, it’s the electricians that are making the least amount of money out of all or most of those trades.”
He said that gap has become increasingly difficult for members as the cost of living has risen.
“It is a relationship, they need us and we need them. But the employees’ wage can’t be the only factor that’s dismissed.”
Strike affecting projects across the region
According to Morash, Local 1555 represents construction electricians working in Westmorland, Kent and Albert counties. Those members work on projects ranging from residential homes to schools, hospitals, commercial buildings and other infrastructure.
He acknowledged the strike has consequences beyond union members.
“It adds a lot of stress,” Morash said. “It adds uncertainty because the general contractors, of course they have schedules. And if one trade is not showing up to work it affects their schedule and their timelines.”
Morash said job action is considered a last resort but members felt the current wage offer did not address longstanding concerns.
Public reaction in Sackville
Morash said support from the public during Thursday’s demonstration was largely positive.
“A lot of them are surprised that electricians make so little of a wage.”
In a news release issued Thursday morning, the union said competitive wages are needed to recruit and retain qualified electricians during a period of strong construction activity across New Brunswick. The union says it remains committed to reaching what it describes as a fair collective agreement.
Yesterday marked day 15 of the electricians’ strike, which, according to Morash, alongside other brotherhoods, are affecting up to 75 per cent of construction projects in New Brunswick.
Morash says, “We’d rather be working.”
About the reporter
Clinton Davis is a PT journalist/producer with CHMA News covering Tantramar (including Sackville, Dorchester, Port Elgin, Midgic and surrounding communities). He reports on municipal government, public safety, community events, local business, regional issues and ideas across Tantramar.
