Category: Negotiations Update

The CRPEG Collective Agreement for 2021 January 01 – 2023 December 31 was officially signed in a ceremony held at CRL on 2022 September 06 afternoon.

We have uploaded the unsigned version under the Collective Agreement page. A fully signed version, when ready, will be uploaded on that page as well as on the PIPSC website and on myCNL under the “Employee Relations” section.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the PIPSC bargaining team for their dedication and their continuous support throughout this process, especially:

• Denise Doherty-Delorme, PIPSC Negotiator
• Josianne Drouin, PIPSC Labour Relations Associate
• John Anderson, PIPSC Senior Research Officer
• Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President

Our special thanks to CRPEG bargaining committee members and most of all we would like to thank CRPEG members for their continuous support.

A tentative agreement was reached on March 9, 2022. Your Bargaining Team is remaining neutral on the ratification, neither to accept nor to reject the tentative agreement. 

It is important that you take the time to review everything prior to voting and prior to asking questions to the Bargaining Team. You will find all the information here. 

Should you require more information, the details will be presented:

• At an in-person meeting at the Lion’s Hall on March 21. Doors will open at 5:45 PM. The presentation will start at 6:00 PM and will be simultaneously broadcasted through Zoom. There will be a questions and answers session. RSVP for in-person or Zoom.
• At a second virtual-only meeting on March 22 at 5:30 PM through Zoom. There will be a questions and answers session. RSVP for Zoom.

If you are planning to attend the in-person meeting at the Lion’s Hall, please RSVP by Friday, March 18 at 3:00 PM as there is limited space. Based on the RSVPs, pizza and drinks will be provided.

All members will receive voting instructions and a voting key by March 21. If you have not received your voting key by end of day March 21, please contact Natalie Bélanger at nbelanger@pipsc.ca. Voting will start on March 22 at 9:00 AM. In order for your vote to be counted, your electronic voting key must be used by 12:00 PM on March 24.

A YES vote means that you accept all the proposed changes to the collective agreement. 

A NO vote means that you reject the tentative agreement and you reaffirm the CRPEG strike vote.

The results will be posted and emailed as soon as they are available.

On behalf of your CRPEG bargaining team, we thank you for your continued interest. 

CRPEG is holding an information picket on Tuesday morning March 1, 2022, at the outer gate on the Plant Road starting at 6 AM. Please be advised of possible traffic delays. A pamphlet (see below) will be distributed to employees.

CRPEG will be in a legal strike position on March 14 at 12.01 AM. Your CRPEG negotiations team has communicated its willingness to return to bargaining with the company and the help of the mediator. The Company has not reached out to resume negotiations.

On February 7, 2022, we entered into three days of conciliation with CNL. 

We would like to thank the appointed conciliation officer for his help. We came to the table ready to negotiate with a strong mandate for job action, in hopes of pressuring the company to finally make a fair offer. 

We did not reach a deal. 

The company made a marginal increase to their offer, but nowhere near what our professional members deserve. We have communicated to the company that their offer is not acceptable. The conciliation period ends on February 20, and the bargaining team stands ready to discuss a fair and reasonable offer with the company when they provide one. 

We recognize the uncertainty and frustration that negotiations bring. Now more than ever, we need to stand united and continue to fight for fair pay for our professional work.  

Our team will be meeting in the coming days to discuss our next steps given our mandate for job action, and how we’ll continue to build pressure to get the deal that you deserve. 

We’ll be in touch as soon as possible with an update and how you can get involved. 

In solidarity, 

Jonathan Fitzpatrick 
On behalf of your CRPEG bargaining team

OVERWHELMING STRIKE SUPPORT

On January 26 & 27 CRPEG held special Zoom meetings to discuss negotiations of our collective agreement. All terms of CRPEG’s issues and CNL’s meager offer were shared with the members. The CRPEG negotiations team is now at a standstill with CNL and heading to conciliation on February 7, 8 and 9, 2022.

A strike vote was held by electronic ballot, and the vote was open from February 1 to February 3. Our members have cast the strongest ever majority vote in favour of taking workplace action, up to and including strike action, if a tentative agreement cannot be reached.

The last strike vote taken by the CRPEG membership was in December 2018. That positive strike vote and hard work done by your bargaining team with the support of the members resulted in achieving the last contract. With strong member support, a strong strike vote and the bargaining team’s strong resolve to succeed, there is a possibility of reaching a fair and competitive contract that recognizes the membership’s professional work.

Please see attached CRPEG bargaining update flyer. If you have any comments or concerns please contact your CRPEG bargaining team.

I know that many of you have questions, and a number have already been submitted to members of the Executive. We have done our best to answer your questions, and have begun to compile an FAQ, the first of which is attached here.

Please keep sending your questions to a member of the Executive, and we will do our best to get them answered.

To clarify one issue, the earliest date that a legal work stoppage could happen for CRPEG is October 20th, provided that we agree to a Maintenance of Services Agreement. Currently we do not have a signed MSA. CRPEG will be meeting with a Canada Industrial Relations Board-appointed mediator to attempt to come to an agreement with AECL on the MSA. These meetings are scheduled for October 9th and 10th.

CRPEG:  A Partner in AECL Restructuring.  Let’s “Do It Right”

CRPEG Executive
Working Together For The Public Good
Note: Link to list of Executive embedded in CRPEG Executive.
Follow CRPEG on Twitter

To date, CRPEG has met with each of the 4 Qualified Respondents. They are (in no particular order):

• Innovation Canada Alliance (B&W, Battelle, Cavendish)
• Canadian Nuclear Revitalization Partners (Hatch, Golder, Bechtel)
• Northern Nuclear Laboratories Alliance (Canadian Nuclear Partners (OPG), McMaster University, URS)
• Canadian National Energy Alliance (CH2MHill, Lockheed Martin, Energy Solutions, SNC-Lavalin)

The discussion centered on topics of mutual concern, including the innovation agenda, pension, recruitment/retention, and job security.

CRPEG is maintaining open lines of communication with the QRs, and we are planning future meetings.

CRPEG:  A Partner in AECL Restructuring.  Let’s “Do It Right”

CRPEG Executive
Working Together For The Public Good
Note: Link to list of Executive embedded in CRPEG Executive.
Follow CRPEG on Twitter

The CRPEG Bargaining Team met with the Employer over 5 days in September. After 3 days of conciliation and 2 in negotiations, no further progress was achieved. On a number of the Member’s key issues including pension, we are no closer to a settlement with the Employer.

No future meetings have been scheduled at this time. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

CRPEG:  A Partner in AECL Restructuring.  Let’s “Do It Right”

CRPEG Executive
Working Together For The Public Good
Note: Link to list of Executive embedded in CRPEG Executive.
Follow CRPEG on Twitter

Yesterday, Debi Daviau (PIPSC President) and I met with Bob Hamilton, Deputy Minister of NRCan, and Cheri Crosby, Director General and Chief Human Resources Office for NRCan. We discussed the issue of pension continuity at great length, and emphasized that this is a top priority for all AECL employees. Attached is the letter we presented to Mr. Hamilton.

CRPEG:  A Partner in AECL Restructuring.  Let’s “Do It Right”

CRPEG Executive
Working Together For The Public Good
Note: Link to list of Executive embedded in CRPEG Executive.
Follow CRPEG on Twitter