Category: Negotiations Update

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.
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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
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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
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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
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Attached is an explanation of the collective bargaining process.

Members are reminded that the Conciliator’s mandate expires September 28.

CRPEG will be in negotiations (conciliation) with the Employer on September 24.

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.
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Op-Ed article from PIPSC President Debi Daviau published in this week’s North Renfrew Times may be viewed here.

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.
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Progress was made on a small number of items after the strike mandate was obtained. However, after agreeing to a third day of conciliation, no progress was made on the key outstanding issues of:

• Leave provisions
• On-call provisions
• Responsibility premiums
• Job security provisions
• Scale and merit adjustments, and
• Pension protection

CRPEG is willing to extend the mandate of the conciliator in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable collective agreement. Further dates for conciliation have not been confirmed. The Executive will keep the membership up to date as more 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.
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PIPSC/CRPEG and AECL have agreed to extend conciliation for a third day.  Progress has been made on a number of issues.

The Executive will keep the membership  informed.  Our thanks again for the strong strike mandate.

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