UnionInsulators Local 116 wages 2026 (Nova Scotia)
The hourly rates, overtime, shift, vacation and LOA rules of HFIAW Local 116 in Nova Scotia, read from the four agreements built into the Insulator Cheque app. An independent guide: the agreement and your hall have the final word.
Mainland, all other work
NSCLRA / HFIAW Local 116 Insulators Mainland Nova Scotia Collective Labour Agreement 2026–2030, all work other than major industrial
$43.19an hour
Mechanic, Mainland, all other work
From May 12, 2026. Next step $44.93 on May 1, 2027.
| Classification | From May 12, 2026 | From May 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanic (journeyperson)base rate | $43.19 | $44.93 |
| Foreperson+15% | $49.67 | $51.67 |
| General foreperson+20% | $51.83 | $53.92 |
| Apprentice, 5,401–7,200 h90% of package | $37.91 | $39.47 |
| Apprentice, 3,601–5,400 h80% of package | $32.63 | $34.02 |
| Apprentice, 1,801–3,600 h70% of package | $27.35 | $28.57 |
| Apprentice, 901–1,800 h65% of package | $24.71 | $25.83 |
| Apprentice, first 900 h60% of package | $22.07 | $23.11 |
- Overtime
- Overtime (Art. 14): the first 2 h past the 8-hour day Monday to Friday at time and a half, then double; all Saturday, Sunday and designated-holiday hours double.
- Shift premium
- 15% of the rate on straight-time hours worked on shift.
- Vacation and stat holiday pay
- 9% vacation pay on top of wages, taxed with them.
- LOA, subsistence and travel
- Mainland job 110 km or more one way (LOA): $165 a day.
Mainland, major industrial projects (Appendix B)
NSCLRA / HFIAW Local 116 Insulators Mainland Nova Scotia Collective Labour Agreement 2026–2030, Appendix B major industrial projects and shutdowns
$46.04 an hour, mechanic (journeyperson), from May 12, 2026; $47.86 from May 1, 2027.
| Classification | From May 12, 2026 | From May 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanic (journeyperson)base rate | $46.04 | $47.86 |
| Foreperson+15% | $52.95 | $55.04 |
| General foreperson+20% | $55.25 | $57.43 |
| Apprentice, 5,401–7,200 h90% of package | $40.47 | $42.11 |
| Apprentice, 3,601–5,400 h80% of package | $34.91 | $36.37 |
| Apprentice, 1,801–3,600 h70% of package | $29.34 | $30.62 |
| Apprentice, 901–1,800 h65% of package | $26.56 | $27.74 |
| Apprentice, first 900 h60% of package | $23.78 | $24.87 |
- Overtime
- Overtime (Art. 14): the first 2 h past the 8-hour day Monday to Friday at time and a half, then double; all Saturday, Sunday and designated-holiday hours double.
- Shift premium
- 15% of the rate on straight-time hours worked on shift.
- Vacation and stat holiday pay
- 9% vacation pay on top of wages, taxed with them.
- LOA, subsistence and travel
- Mainland job 110 km or more one way (LOA): $165 a day.
Cape Breton, industrial projects
NSCLRA Cape Breton Industrial Projects Collective Agreement 2025–2029, Appendix 3 Insulators (Local 116), Amendment 2
$47.56 an hour, journeyperson, from August 2, 2026; $48.75 from July 1, 2027.
| Classification | From August 2, 2026 | From July 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Journeypersonbase rate | $47.56 | $48.75 |
| Working or non-working foreperson+15% | $54.69 | $56.06 |
| General foreperson+20% | $57.07 | $58.50 |
| Apprentice, 5,401–7,200 h90% | $41.79 | $42.86 |
| Apprentice, 3,601–5,400 h80% | $36.01 | $36.96 |
| Apprentice, 1,801–3,600 h70% | $30.24 | $31.07 |
| Apprentice, first 1,800 h55% | $22.99 | $23.65 |
- Overtime
- Every overtime hour is double time: past the normal 8-hour day (10 on a 4×10) Monday to Friday, and all Saturday, Sunday and designated-holiday hours (10C).
- 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
- Cape Breton job, home more than 64 km past the free zone: $165 a day.
Cape Breton, commercial projects
NSCLRA Cape Breton Commercial Projects Collective Agreement 2025–2029, Appendix 3 Insulators (Local 116), Amendment 2
$43.13 an hour, mechanic (journeyperson), from August 2, 2026; $44.23 from July 1, 2027.
| Classification | From August 2, 2026 | From July 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanic (journeyperson)base rate | $43.13 | $44.23 |
| Foreperson+15% | $49.60 | $50.86 |
| Apprentice, 5,401–7,200 h90% | $37.80 | $38.79 |
| Apprentice, 3,601–5,400 h80% | $32.47 | $33.35 |
| Apprentice, 1,801–3,600 h70% | $27.14 | $27.91 |
| Apprentice, 901–1,800 h55% | $23.95 | $24.56 |
| Apprentice, first 900 h (no benefit plan)50% | $22.05 | $22.60 |
- Overtime
- Overtime under the commercial appendix: every hour past the normal day Monday to Friday and all Saturday, Sunday and designated-holiday hours at double time.
- 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
- Cape Breton job, home more than 64 km past the 50-km free zone: $165 a day.
One 40-hour week, worked out
Week of October 25, 2026Mechanic (journeyperson), Mainland, all other work
Example| Day | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| Earnings | |
| Regular40 h × 43.19 | 1,727.60 |
| Vacation pay9% | 155.48 |
| Gross pay | 1,883.08 |
| Deductions | |
| CPP5.95% | −108.04 |
| EI1.63% | −30.69 |
| Income taxestimate | −473.96 |
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Questions
What does a Local 116 mechanic (journeyperson) make in 2026?
$43.19 an hour under the NSCLRA / HFIAW Local 116 Insulators Mainland Nova Scotia Collective Labour Agreement 2026–2030, all work other than major industrial, from May 12, 2026. The other agreements on this page: Mainland, major industrial projects (Appendix B) $46.04, Cape Breton, industrial projects $47.56 and Cape Breton, commercial projects $43.13.
When is the next Local 116 raise?
The next step in the Mainland, all other work schedule is $44.93 an hour on May 1, 2027.
What do Local 116 apprentices make?
Apprentice, 5,401–7,200 h $37.91 (90% of package), Apprentice, 3,601–5,400 h $32.63 (80% of package), Apprentice, 1,801–3,600 h $27.35 (70% of package), Apprentice, 901–1,800 h $24.71 (65% of package) and Apprentice, first 900 h $22.07 (60% of package) an hour from May 12, 2026.
How much is the Local 116 LOA?
Mainland job 110 km or more one way (LOA): $165 a day.
How is Local 116 overtime paid?
Overtime (Art. 14): the first 2 h past the 8-hour day Monday to Friday at time and a half, then double; all Saturday, Sunday and designated-holiday hours double.
Sources
The agreements and schedules these numbers were read from. Built October 15, 2026 from the Insulator Cheque app, version 1.0.0.
- Insulators Mainland Nova Scotia Collective Labour Agreement 2026–2030 (NSCLRA)
- CBI Industrial Insulators Appendix 3, Amendment 2 (NSCLRA)
- Cape Breton Industrial Projects Collective Agreement 2025–2029, body, Amendment 2
- CBI Commercial Insulators Appendix 3, Amendment 2 (NSCLRA)
- Cape Breton Commercial Projects Collective Agreement 2025–2029, body, Amendment 2
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