Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG)

A group of The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)

Author: crpegadmin

  • CRPEG President Jonathan Fitzpatrick Given Life Membership Award at PIPSC AGM 2025

    CRPEG President Jonathan Fitzpatrick was recognized for his contribution to PIPSC and CRPEG at PIPSC AGM 2025. He received a well deserved Life Membership award.

    The Life Membership Award is given to a member to recognize their outstanding service of enduring value to the Institute. Jonathan has been a member of the CRPEG team for almost 23 years. Some of the highlights of his work include:

    • Being an integral member of the Advisory Council Steering Committee since 2015, helping drive the development and growth of the Advisory Council.
    • Chairing the Separate Employers Group meetings since 2015, creating a place for the Separate Employer Bargaining Groups in an organization dominated by large Federal Government Groups. His leadership has strengthened smaller group connections with PIPSC, influenced PIPSC policy to recognize the unique aspects of Separate Employer Groups, and created a space for them to share common issues and best practices that are unique to these non-Federal Government Bargaining Groups. It is because of Jonathan’s organizing efforts that these Separate Employer Group meetings have continued, and participation has even grown in recent years.
    • Helping resurrect the Whiteshell Professional Employees Group (WPEG) and the Whiteshell Technical Employees Group (WTEG), and he continues to provide leadership and mentoring to these Group Executives and aids them in bargaining.
    • Leading CRPEG through the first PIPSC strike in 30 years, resulting in a better contract for his 800 members. His efforts have set an example for PIPSC as to what can be achieved when we stand up and demand fair treatment from our employers.

    CRPEG , WPEG and WTEG delegates were present at the AGM to mark this occasion.

    Congratulations Jonathan!

  • CRPEG annual scholarship application Open

    Hello CRPEG members,

    We are pleased to announce that the CRPEG annual scholarship application is now open. We are offering two scholarships, each valued at $2000, to eligible candidates who meet the following criteria:

    1. Applicants for this award must either be: a) A child or grandchild of any current or past member of CRPEG, or b) A graduate of any secondary school within an 85 km radius of Chalk River Laboratories.
    1. Applicants must be entering their first year of post-secondary education in a full-time post-secondary program at a Canadian educational institution (including CÉGEPs).

    The selection of successful applicants will be carried out by a dedicated committee. CRPEG will notify the chosen recipients by mid-September. To access the application criteria and form, please click on the link below.

    CRPEG Scholarship – Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG)

    Ensure that all applications are submitted by 30th of July 2025. All the normal paperwork says to return by a date of the 20th, but we are extending the date to the 30th this year due to the strike.

    If you are interested in being part of the selection committee (provided that your child or grandchild is not an applicant), please inform CRPEG Executives. We require a minimum of three scholarship committee members, and volunteers will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Lastly, we would like to extend our congratulations to all high school graduates and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

    Best regards,

    CRPEG Executive
    Working Together For The Public Good

  • Ratification results – We have a deal!

    Dear CRPEG Members,

    Your ratification vote has concluded, and you have voted to accept the tentative agreement.

    Thank you to every member who participated in this democratic process. Your voice has been heard, and your decision will bring this historic labour dispute to a successful conclusion.

    What this means

    • the tentative agreement is now ratified and will be implemented
    • strike action ends immediately
    • you will return to work with gains achieved through your solidarity and determination
    • vacation leave remains fully reinstated with no discipline for members affected by CNL’s cancellation

    The gains you secured

    Through your strength and unity, you achieved:

    • $2 million increase to company-wide benefits program (benefiting all CNL employees)
    • $1,700 lump sum payment to every CRPEG member
    • 10.5% salary increases over 3 years with improved distribution:
      • 4.0% in 2024, 
      • 4.0% in 2025, and
      • 2.5% in 2026
    • reduced salary progression steps and increased minimum salary scale
    • maintained professional office space entitlements

    Your historic achievement

    You made history as the first PIPSC group to go on strike in over 30 years. Your courage, solidarity, and professionalism throughout this dispute – despite facing surveillance, intimidation, and retaliation from CNL – demonstrates the power of workers standing together.

    The 5 days of selective strike action proved the critical importance of your work and forced CNL to improve their offer. You showed that when professional workers unite, all workers can advance.

    Solidarity matters

    To every member who picketed at 5:00 AM, who stood strong despite pressure, who supported each other through difficult times – this victory belongs to all of you. You’ve shown that solidarity works, that professional workers deserve respect, and that standing together makes us stronger.

    The fight for accountability continues

    Our unfair labour practice complaint regarding CNL’s vacation cancellation continues through the Canada Industrial Relations Board. We will hold CNL accountable for their violations. 

    PIPSC President Sean O’Reilly and I will also be meeting with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, to address key issues that matter to CRPEG members. This meeting is a direct outcome of our recent strike action and the PIPSC petition.

    Your bargaining and engagement teams are proud to have represented you throughout this historic dispute, and we will continue to safeguard your rights to a safe and fair workplace. 

    In solidarity,

    The CRPEG Bargaining and Engagement Teams, PIPSC

  • Show your support for striking CRPEG members

    PIPSC is organizing rally in Ottawa ( June 26 from 12 PM to 1 PM) to show support for CRPEG. The Rally will be at NRcan Headquarters. We need to let the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources that CRPEG members deserve a fair deal.

    Sign Up using the link below.

    PIPSC Ottawa Rally

    If you are interested in joining Picket lines as a volunteer or if you have questions please email us at crpeg_negotiations@pipsc.ca.

    Thank you,

    CRPEG Executives

  • CRPEG Negotiations and Strike Update : Tuesday 27, 2025

    Hello CRPEG Members,

    On May 26, the CRPEG bargaining team and the engagement (strike) team, 18 CRPEG members were on strike and did not report to work as normal. Thank you to all of the members who participated in work-to-rule. We have sent out FAQ for your reference to your private email. We have also provided you document with more information on offers exchanged.

    If you would like to volunteer to participate in striking by picketing, please e-mail crpeg_negotiations@pipsc.ca with the subject line ‘PICKETING – PREFERRED DATE’ and we will provide you with more information.

    We are looking for the following supplies to borrow from the membership: collapsible wagons/carts, extension cords, plastic bins, portable battery charges, coolers, folding tables, garbage bins, pop-up canopy, tarps (10×10), water cooler, and coffee maker. If you have any items to lend, please e-mail crpeg_negotiations@pipsc.ca with the subject line ‘SUPPLIES’ and we will reach out to you.

    There is more ways then one to strike. Please check your email for further information. Please use the following survey to update your personal contact information: https://crpeg.ca/lime/index.php/784493 if you are not receiving emails.

    CRPEG

  • CRPEG Negotiations and Strike Update : Monday 26, 2025

    Hello CRPEG Members, 

    Please report to work as normal on Monday, May 26 and follow the directions for work-to-rule job action. If you are selected to participate in a rotating strike you will be contacted separately and with 48 hr notice. Please continue to monitor your personal and work emails for further updates, as we will be providing daily updates.

    Thank you for your cooperation, 

    CRPEG

  • CRPEG Negotiations and Strike Update : Friday May 23rd

    The union and company met over the course of the last three days (May 20-22) with the assistance of a mediator appointed by the Minister of Labour. We thank Mr. Lalonde for his services. He will remain available if the company and the union need his services in the future.

    We have maintained our position on economic (scale) adjustment, benefits, office space, 4×10 working arrangements, and sick leave.  While both parties moved closer, we were unable to reach a tentative agreement by the end of day on May 22.

    CRPEG has served notice of strike to CNL, in accordance with the Canadian Labour Code.

    CRPEG strike activities will commence on Monday, May 26th.  Further details of the strike activities, as well as the FAQ, will be sent to your personal email address you have provided to CRPEG.

    In solidarity,

    CRPEG Bargaining Team

  • CRPEG Negotiations and Strike Update Meeting: May 22

    CRPEG members, 

    As you are aware, your bargaining team is currently in negotiations which will conclude May 22. This meeting will provide an overview of the results of this final round of negotiations and what to expect moving forward. 

    There will be one session starting at 6:00 pm on Thursday May 22, 2025. The update, including next steps is expected to take around half an hour, with plenty of time (1 hr) for questions and answers.

    For those wishing to join us in person, please join us at the Chalk River Lions Hall. Doors will be open starting at 5:30 pm. We will provide pizza and refreshments. 

    For those wishing to join us online, please register as soon as possible using the following link: https://pipsc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F1cw6rYSSMm1BzyMdKFdWw

    We’re looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.

    Curtis Russell

    Communications Officer, CRPEG

  • Personal E-Mail Address for CRPEG communication in case of Strike

    Hello CRPEG Members,

    CRPEG negotiation team is requesting you to provide personal contact information in case of a strike.

    If we don’t have your email on file, please use the following survey to update your personal contact information: https://crpeg.ca/lime/index.php/784493.

    Please do so immediately, it is vital that we have a way to contact you during a strike because you will not have access to the company email system!

    CRPEG Negotiation Team

  • CRPEG is now on the Facebook. Join the Group.

    CRPEG is now on the Facebook. Please join and discuss important issues with other members. The membership is only open to the current CRPEG members.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/crpeg

     Join group View group 

    Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG)