15 December 2006

Guild members at APTN
vote to back strike action

Canadian Media Guild | TNG Canada Local 30213

Editorial employees at the Aboriginal People’s Television Network have voted 73 per cent in favour of strike action, if necessary, to achieve a fair collective agreement.

Nearly all members of the bargaining unit took part in the vote which was conducted Dec. 13-14. While several issues remain unresolved, the key issue of across-the-board wage increases is central in the dispute.

For months the Guild has been attempting to bargain a settlement. Two federally appointed conciliators assisted the two sides, but negotiations ended when management tabled its final proposal of an 8.0-per-cent increase over five years.

CMG negotiator Dan Oldfield said: “We remain open to any sincere attempts to achieve a new collective agreement and we urge management not to underestimate the resolve of the membership. We are pleased to see that management’s illegal tactics of attempting to undermine the bargaining process have failed. Employees do not buy the argument that CMG’s proposal will cause a financial hardship, in light of the broadcaster’s increased funding of $11 million per year."

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