13 May 2003

APTN employees unanimously ratify first contract

Canadian Media Guild | TNG Canada Local 30213

WINNIPEG — Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) employees are taking home fatter pay packets and enjoying improved working conditions after unanimously ratifying their first collective agreement.

The three-year deal negotiated by the Canadian Media Guild, runs until April 2006 and provides for salary increases ranging from 11 to 35 per cent over the life of the contract. The increases are retroactive to six months from the date of signing.

The agreement establishes a 35-hour work week with two consecutive days off and entitlement to overtime compensation for all members of the bargaining unit, which currently numbers almost 20. Positions include anchors/hosts, video journalists, producers, reporters.

It also makes a commitment to the training and professional development of APTN's news and current affairs staff. Employees will have direct input into training, and many other areas of concern, through a joint employee-management committee.

Under the deal, APTN Guild members will be protected from unjust dismissal, and have a formal procedure for dealing with grievances.

Guild members' retirement needs have also been addressed. Management has committed to establishing and contributing to a pension plan by this September.

This is the first collective agreement for employees of a national Aboriginal organization in Canada. The deal was reached after nearly five months of bargaining.

The agreement recognizes the Guild as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent and establishes permanent employees as the primary style of employment.

Dan Oldfield, CMG senior staff representative, served as chief negotiator. Also on the bargaining team were, from the APTN branch: president Greg Taylor, vice-president Maureen Googoo, member Rick Harp; and Gerry Whelan, CMG staff representative.

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