Montra006c, Wednesday, July 9, 2003 The management of TVA-Montra006c has locked out its local sales representatives. On strike since last Thursday, the employees held a meeting yesterday morning (Tuesday) to study the employers latest offer, which they rejected. Following the meeting, discussions continued between the parties until, early in the evening, the employer informed the union that it had just locked out the sales representatives.
The pay formula is at the heart of the dispute between the TV broadcaster and its representatives. TVA recently revised its advertising rates, increasing them from 8% to 10% in a move to maximize profits. TVAs principal competitors, TQS and Radio-Canada have not followed suit, a fact that has caused negotiations to bog down since, while increasing its profit margin, TVA is hoping to reduce its sales representatives total wages.
Ra006c Lebuf, union president, said it was easy to see why his members were so frustrated - not to mention the advertising customers - and pointed out that the Groupe TVA reported profits of $63 million during its last shareholders meeting.
The collective agreement between TVA and its sales representatives expired in August 2002. Bargaining began in December, with a mediator appointed in January. The sales representatives have been unionized for the past 20 years and, last winter, joined Local 687 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE-FTQ) which represents all TVA-Montra006cs employees.
In Qub0065c, CUPE has 7,000 members in the communications sectors (Radio Canada, Rs0065au TVA, Global, TQS, Radiomd0069a, Telus, Vido0074ron, Cogeco, NFB, Journal de Qub0065c, etc.). CUPE is also active in several other sectors including health and social services, education, urban and air transportation, provincial corporations and public organizations, hydroelectricity and the municipalities. With close to 100,000 members, CUPE is the largest FTQ affiliate.
This press release and other information are posted on the Internet at scfp.qc.ca
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SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (FTQ)