After three months of negotiations and with the help of two federal conciliators, The Canadian Press Enterprises and representatives of the Canadian Media Guild reached a new collective agreement last week. The agreement affects the CP’s Parliament Hill bureau.
CP employees are set to see their salaries increase incrementally over the course of a new three-year agreement, ultimately receiving a four per cent increase to their pay.
But in turn, employees will take on a greater share of the cost of health benefits—an estimated $50 to $70 off of each paycheque—as well as the full cost of long-term disability benefits. The deal also maintains the company’s pension payback, but gives them temporary relief on interest payments.
“I’m glad it’s ratified,” said Terry Pedwell, CMG branch president and a veteran reporter in CP’s Hill bureau, who was at the bargaining table. “I know quite a few people were upset about some of the agreement, particularly, pertaining to employee takeover of long-term disability premiums and the short-term give to the company through no interest payments being paid on pension accruals, but it was the best we could come up with in a very difficult situation.”
Neil Campbell, president of operations at Canadian Press Enterprises, who joined the company last May, said during a bargaining process “you expect to come to some sort of compromised position” and said the company is “delighted” with the deal: “It’s a deal that will help us get to where we need to go, which is a financially viable Canadian Press.”
CP employees are set to see their salaries increase incrementally over the course of a new three-year agreement, ultimately receiving a four per cent increase to their pay.
But in turn, employees will take on a greater share of the cost of health benefits—an estimated $50 to $70 off of each paycheque—as well as the full cost of long-term disability benefits. The deal also maintains the company’s pension payback, but gives them temporary relief on interest payments.
“I’m glad it’s ratified,” said Terry Pedwell, CMG branch president and a veteran reporter in CP’s Hill bureau, who was at the bargaining table. “I know quite a few people were upset about some of the agreement, particularly, pertaining to employee takeover of long-term disability premiums and the short-term give to the company through no interest payments being paid on pension accruals, but it was the best we could come up with in a very difficult situation.”
Neil Campbell, president of operations at Canadian Press Enterprises, who joined the company last May, said during a bargaining process “you expect to come to some sort of compromised position” and said the company is “delighted” with the deal: “It’s a deal that will help us get to where we need to go, which is a financially viable Canadian Press.”