UnionCrane Operators Local 721 wages 2026 (Nova Scotia)
The hourly rates, overtime, shift, vacation and LOA rules of IUOE Local 721 in Nova Scotia, read from the two agreements built into the Crane Operator Cheque app. An independent guide: the agreement and your hall have the final word.
Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A")
CBI Industrial Collective Agreement 2025–2029 (NSCLRA / IUOE Local 721), Appendix 7"A" Operating Engineers, Cape Breton Island
$46.38an hour
Group 1 cranes: mobile truck, crawler and RT cranes, derricks and gantries 25 t and over, tower, climbing and skyway cranes, overhead cranes 50 t and over, Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A")
From July 1, 2026. Next step $46.24 on January 1, 2027.
| Classification | From July 1, 2026 | From January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 cranes: mobile truck, crawler and RT cranes, derricks and gantries 25 t and over, tower, climbing and skyway cranes, overhead cranes 50 t and overbase rate | $46.38 | $46.24 |
| Group 2 cranes: mobile and crawler cranes under 25 t, overhead cranes under 50 t, 360° cable boom trucks | $45.92 | $45.78 |
| Group 4: truck crane drivers, Hiab-type boom trucks, A-frames | $44.54 | $44.40 |
| Group 5: oilers | $44.28 | $44.14 |
| Foreperson (+$1.60, approximation)+ $1.60 | $47.98 | $47.84 |
| Apprentice 4,901–5,900 h (95%)95% | $44.06 | $43.93 |
| Apprentice 3,901–4,900 h (85%)85% | $39.42 | $39.30 |
| Apprentice 2,601–3,900 h (75%)75% | $34.79 | $34.68 |
| Apprentice 1,301–2,600 h (65%)65% | $30.15 | $30.06 |
| Apprentice 0–1,300 h (55%, approximation)55% | $25.51 | $25.43 |
- Overtime
- Reporting: 2 h at straight time; weekend 2 h, or 4 h at double once work starts (10D): not modelled.
- Shift premium
- 15% of the rate on every hour worked on shift.
- Vacation and stat holiday pay
- 9% vacation pay on top of wages, taxed with them.
- LOA, subsistence and travel
- Home more than 64 km beyond the 40-km free zone: subsistence: $165 a day; Employer accommodation: board only: $69 a day.
Cape Breton commercial (CBI Appendix 7"A")
CBI Commercial Collective Agreement 2025–2029 (NSCLRA / IUOE Local 721), Appendix 7"A" Operating Engineers, Cape Breton Island
$39.13 an hour, journeyperson, from July 1, 2026; $38.99 from January 1, 2027.
| Classification | From July 1, 2026 | From January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Group A cranes: power cranes 35 t and over, derricks, gantries, skyway and climbing cranesbase rate | $39.13 | $38.99 |
| Group 1 cranes: power cranes under 35 t | $38.67 | $38.53 |
| Group 2 cranes: Pitman hydraulic cranes 4 t and over | $38.00 | $37.86 |
| Group 3: mobile crane drivers, A-frame and boom trucks, oilers | $37.67 | $37.53 |
| Foreperson (+$1.60, approximation)+ $1.60 | $40.27 | $40.13 |
- Overtime
- Building construction (7A-12/13): a 40-hour week, 8 production hours and 1 service hour at straight time between 7:00 and 18:00; the first 2 h of weekday overtime at time and a half, then double; Saturday, Sunday and holidays double.
- Shift premium
- 15% of the rate on every hour worked on shift.
- Vacation and stat holiday pay
- 9% vacation pay on top of wages, taxed with them.
- LOA, subsistence and travel
- Home more than 64 km beyond the 50-km free zone: subsistence: $165 a day; Employer accommodation: board only: $69 a day.
One 40-hour week, worked out
Week of October 25, 2026Group 1 cranes: mobile truck, crawler and RT cranes, derricks and gantries 25 t and over, tower, climbing and skyway cranes, overhead cranes 50 t and over, Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A")
Example| Day | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| Earnings | |
| Regular40 h × 46.38 | 1,855.20 |
| Vacation pay9% | 166.97 |
| Gross pay | 2,022.17 |
| Deductions | |
| CPP5.95% | −116.31 |
| EI1.63% | −32.96 |
| Income taxestimate | −526.22 |
What's missing
Where the app can't follow a rule to the letter yet, its notes say so, and say how to allow for it when you enter your hours. From this page's agreements:
- Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). The appendix doesn't say whether it is multiplied on overtime; the calculator adds it to the hourly rate. One premium at a time.
- Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). Foreperson. The OE appendix prints +$1.60 (may be appointed with 7–14 operators, must be above 14); the body's general rule (9A/9B) is 15% / 20% of base plus V&H. Which one prevails isn't stated: the calculator uses +$1.60 over the class picked in Settings.
- Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). Apprentices 55% (at least $10) / 65% (at least $12) / 75% / 85% / 95% over 1,300 / 1,300 / 1,300 / 1,000 / 1,000 h (7A-7). The appendix doesn't say which group's rate the % applies to (the mainland text says Group A, which CBI Industrial doesn't have): the calculator uses the group picked in Settings, Group 1 by default.
- Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). The qualifying rule (work the day before and after, 10G.02–10G.05) isn't checked. All twelve designated holidays (Heritage Day, the August Civic Holiday and Truth and Reconciliation too) are double time when worked (10G.06). A Friday holiday on a 4×10 Monday–Thursday week is observed on the Thursday (10G.08).
- Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). Per day worked; the agreement doesn't say per calendar day or per day worked.
- Cape Breton commercial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). The appendix doesn't say whether it is multiplied on overtime; the calculator adds it to the hourly rate. One premium at a time.
- Cape Breton commercial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). Foreperson. The OE appendix prints +$1.60 (may be appointed with 7–14 operators, must be above 14); the body's general rule (9A/9B) is 15% / 20% of base plus V&H. Which one prevails isn't stated: the calculator uses +$1.60 over the class picked in Settings.
- Cape Breton commercial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). The service hour isn't added; excavation, roads, bridges and marine work run a 50-hour week at up to 10 h a day (not modelled: use the building rules); snow removal 1.5× past 10 h.
- Cape Breton commercial (CBI Appendix 7"A"). Per day worked; the agreement doesn't say per calendar day or per day worked.
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Questions
What does a Local 721 journeyperson make in 2026?
$46.38 an hour under the CBI Industrial Collective Agreement 2025–2029 (NSCLRA / IUOE Local 721), Appendix 7"A" Operating Engineers, Cape Breton Island, from July 1, 2026. The other agreements on this page: Cape Breton commercial (CBI Appendix 7"A") $39.13.
When is the next Local 721 raise?
The next step in the Cape Breton industrial (CBI Appendix 7"A") schedule is $46.24 an hour on January 1, 2027.
What do Local 721 apprentices make?
Apprentice 4,901–5,900 h (95%) $44.06 (95%), Apprentice 3,901–4,900 h (85%) $39.42 (85%), Apprentice 2,601–3,900 h (75%) $34.79 (75%), Apprentice 1,301–2,600 h (65%) $30.15 (65%) and Apprentice 0–1,300 h (55%, approximation) $25.51 (55%) an hour from July 1, 2026.
How much is the Local 721 LOA?
Home more than 64 km beyond the 40-km free zone: subsistence: $165 a day; Employer accommodation: board only: $69 a day.
How is Local 721 overtime paid?
Reporting: 2 h at straight time; weekend 2 h, or 4 h at double once work starts (10D): not modelled.
Sources
The agreements and schedules these numbers were read from. Built October 15, 2026 from the Crane Operator Cheque app, version 1.0.0.
Independent. Not affiliated with any union. Check your agreement.