Interpretation Manual
Last updated January 2026. Your complete guide to maintenance agreement applications and interpretations.
What’s Inside
The Interpretation Manual consolidates clarifications and explanations for the most frequently asked questions about GPMA and NMA collective agreements. It serves as a labour relations resource for unions and employers operating under these agreements across Canada.
General Interpretations
Core guidance that applies across all GPMA and NMA agreements, including:
Workforce Management
- Apprentice ratios
- Hiring provisions
- Notice of layoff protocols
- Foreperson designations
Work Classification
- Maintenance vs. construction
- Resolution processes
- Scope determinations
Compensation & Benefits
- Wage calculations
- DST protocols
- Provision of coveralls & tools
Province-Specific Guidance
Detailed interpretations tailored to collective agreements in Alberta, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, covering:
Alberta
- Shift schedules & rotations
- CWW conditions
- Travel & subsistence
- Camp movement protocols
New Brunswick
- NB Power provisions
- NB Power provisions
- Holiday pay calculations
- Retroactivity processes
Ontario & Saskatchewan
- Shift premium protocols
- Call-in provisions
- Statutory holiday pay
- Schedule options
Key Features
Practical Examples: Real-world scenarios and calculations demonstrate how agreement language applies in practice, including:
- Shift change protocols with detailed timelines
- Paycheck shortage resolution examples
- Overtime meal allowance calculations
- CWW schedule transitions
- Blended wage rate determinations
Cross-Reference Support
While article numbering and clause headings vary between agreements, the manual ensures consistent application and interpretation across identical language.