17 December 2004

Some progress made

CBC bargaining update

Canadian Media Guild | TNG Canada Local 30213

The Canadian Media Guild and the CBC have concluded two weeks of bargaining with an agreement on language that will give employees more flexibility in their work days and weeks.

The article, called “Alternate Work Arrangements”, includes provisions for job sharing, a compressed work week, a reduced work week, work at home and other alternate work arrangements. While protecting the rights of full-time employees, the language lays out a process for applying for these arrangements and sets out their working conditions.

The language is part of a package proposed by the Guild aimed at addressing the much broader issue of work-life balance. We’re encouraged that the Corporation recognizes the importance of this issue. While this is a positive step towards a new collective agreement, we still have much to do.

On a less positive note, the Corporation has reacted unfavourably to the Guild’s comprehensive package on workforce adjustment. The package includes processes for dealing with layoffs and recalls, as well as provisions for coping with technological changes and changes in how we work.

The package also addresses the issue of contracting out and the sale of any portion of the CBC.

The Guild seeks a process that would require the Corporation to exhaust every possibility for continued employment before laying anyone off. In the event a layoff becomes the only option, we seek improved layoff pay and recall rights.

Also in this session, we had extensive discussions on training. We have proposed language that would improve employees’ access to training and would make the process a fairer and more transparent one. Under the current system, managers select participants while others rarely know about it until after the fact.

The Guild maintains there are two types of training at work. The first is the type of training necessary for you to do your job (e.g. Vision, iNews, Dalet, Avid, etc). The second is professional development training – training that allows you to develop your career and give you greater access to other employment opportunities. We see training and career development as a job security issue, and one that is in the interests of both the employee and the Corporation.

Last week Neil MacDonald, who represents the foreign correspondents, joined us at the table to discuss issues unique to this type of work. The biggest concern for these members is what happens to them when they are repatriated.

Finally, the Corporation has tabled a response to a Guild proposal on bereavement leave. It does offer some increased leave to cope with the death of a spouse or child, but it maintains the current three days for any other loved one such as a mother, father or sibling. We are troubled by this notion of a two-tier bereavement leave. The Guild has proposed up to five days for any family member.

Negotiations resume on Jan. 12 and will continue every second week.

This story first appeared on the Canadian Media Guild web site.