CRPEG members have raised an issue of concern to the CRPEG Executive regarding the language around termination compensation. At issue is the wording on termination compensation that disadvantages those members who, at the time of layoff, would be eligible to retire with an unreduced pension.
CRPEG and CNL have met outside of collective bargaining to address this issue. As a result, the following changes to the collective agreement have been made:
| Location | Existing Agreement Language | Amended Language |
| Article 34.04, para. C iv) | “Salary Continuance Period” will end on the earlier of:
a. the date the employee is eligible to retire with an unreduced pension b. the date the termination compensation entitlement has been paid out in full At the end of the Salary Continuance Period Employees will be paid for any balance of the termination compensation remaining under iv (a) as a lump sum and will not be eligible for a fifteen percent (15%) premium in lieu of continuing their health, dental, insurance and pension benefits. |
“Salary Continuance Period” will end on the date the termination compensation entitlement has been paid out in full. |
| Article 34.04, para. C vi) | Employees who are eligible to retire with an unreduced pension (due to a combination of years of service and age) and who are laid off must take their payment in the form of a lump sum and are not eligible for a fifteen percent (15%) premium in lieu of continuing their health, dental, insurance and pension benefits. | Existing text eliminated in its entirety and para. C vii) renumbered as para. C vi). |
What does this mean?
The clauses that required Those members who are (or will be at the time, should they take VSP) eligible for retirement to take termination compensation as a lump sum, and forfeit the 15% in lieu of benefits, has been removed.
It was brought to our attention these clauses could be a major factor in the decision process of those members entering into the Voluntary Separation Program or worse members may enter into the program and not realize the implications of these clauses. We would like to thank CNL and Leslie Kleiman in particular for their quick response and willingness to resolve this matter.