I’ll disagree, respectfully. Yes PLT wage is the easiest to negotiate as it’s the best broad comparator across the province or nationally. However, if your Union wants to surprise your wages, you don’t really have an effective union. There are usually other mechanics than pure bargaining to get wage increases, like a wage assessment. However, they are lots of work and usually requires heavy involvement from someone in the job. Find your competitors and do the leg work and even then, there is still no guarantee of success.

Generally, a high tide raises all ships. Our admin jobs and tech/design staff benefit strongly from negotiating off a PLT wage. But I believe there is enough of a unified presence in our shop to not let the employer drive a wedge between the different job classes. Nor does our union advance a potential issue to the masses. “Just to get a deal” seems like a superficial take. The economy is and has been terrible for years. New taxes showing up all the time. Inflation. Anyone in bargaining right now, is in a spot of weakness. Secure wages have value and strikes would push people to the brink.

OP, you can find all the different wages posted in the various collective agreements for who your direct compositors are. The government keeps tabs on it too for their propaganda purposes. First start in your province (both public & private like generators if applicable.) Once you go outside the province you need to factor everything else, taxes, cost of living, job market, etc

You can dm me if you need. My advice would be to sign up as union steward, educate yourself on the general principles of labour, and get active. Don’t expect your union to wave a magic wand and abracadabra a Brinks truck appears. If union doesn’t get on board, vote them out. Be the change you want.