Montra006c, Wednesday, December 11, 2002 Exasperated by the slow pace of bargaining and dilatory manoeuvres of the employer, the TVA employees’ Union (CUPE-687) is asking for the appointment of a conciliator. This is proving to be another difficult labour negotiation for the new owner of TVA, Quebecor Md0069a, which seems to be unable to come to an agreement with several of its unions.
Sixty full days of bargaining have already taken place since October 24, 2001, but none of the most important issues have yet been raised; the employer has continually postponed these crucial discussions. We believe that, with a third party present, TVA will not be able to continue its avoidance tactics and will have to assume its responsibilities. They’re are still several major points to be negotiated, including sub-contracting, the use of temporary workers, union jurisdiction and the workweek. Recently the employer proposed a discussion framework that included a whole host of concerns, but this is an old ruse designed to confuse the issue. In the short term, it would prevent us from concentrating on the clauses that are most important for our members. The TVA employees’ union wants to get down to serious bargaining to reach the best possible agreement. We intend to use every means at our disposal to attain this objective, which is why we are asking for a conciliator today, said Ra006c Leboeuf, president of the TVA employees’ union.
Following a decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), four certified unions representing TVA employees in Montra006c were merged into one. This round of bargaining will therefore culminate in the first single collective agreement for technicians, producers, administrative and production staff as well as the TVA journalists in Montra006c.
In Qub0065c, CUPE represents 7,000 members in the communications sector (Radio-Canada, TVA network, Global, TQS, Radiomd0069a, Telus, Vido0074ron, Cogeco, TV5, NFB, Journal de Qub0065c, etc.). CUPE is also active in several other sectors including health and social services, education, urban and air transportation, provincial government corporations and public organizations, hydroelectricity and the municipalities. With close to 100,000 members, CUPE is the largest FTQ affiliate.
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SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (FTQ)
Sixty full days of bargaining have already taken place since October 24, 2001, but none of the most important issues have yet been raised; the employer has continually postponed these crucial discussions. We believe that, with a third party present, TVA will not be able to continue its avoidance tactics and will have to assume its responsibilities. They’re are still several major points to be negotiated, including sub-contracting, the use of temporary workers, union jurisdiction and the workweek. Recently the employer proposed a discussion framework that included a whole host of concerns, but this is an old ruse designed to confuse the issue. In the short term, it would prevent us from concentrating on the clauses that are most important for our members. The TVA employees’ union wants to get down to serious bargaining to reach the best possible agreement. We intend to use every means at our disposal to attain this objective, which is why we are asking for a conciliator today, said Ra006c Leboeuf, president of the TVA employees’ union.
Following a decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), four certified unions representing TVA employees in Montra006c were merged into one. This round of bargaining will therefore culminate in the first single collective agreement for technicians, producers, administrative and production staff as well as the TVA journalists in Montra006c.
In Qub0065c, CUPE represents 7,000 members in the communications sector (Radio-Canada, TVA network, Global, TQS, Radiomd0069a, Telus, Vido0074ron, Cogeco, TV5, NFB, Journal de Qub0065c, etc.). CUPE is also active in several other sectors including health and social services, education, urban and air transportation, provincial government corporations and public organizations, hydroelectricity and the municipalities. With close to 100,000 members, CUPE is the largest FTQ affiliate.
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SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (FTQ)