Pay, workload and the continuing impact of integration were the top issues our bargaining team put on the table as negotiations started Tuesday, December 19 on a new collective agreement to replace the one that expires December 31. These were the key issues that you told us you want addressed.

Among other issues that we will be dealing with are; the out-of-town assignment protocol and its impact on members, particularly photographers; the federal election protocol; averaging; the main desk re-organization; the role and structure of Online; and, the introduction of video .

Guild members have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to help CP-BN achieve its objectives and deal with unforeseen crises such as the pension issue.

Now, our members want their concerns to be given equal attention.

As in past years, we are proceeding with an interest-based approach to bargaining where we identify concerns and find solutions that work for both sides. We all want the same thing; for CP-BN to be as successful as it can be in meeting the needs of all of its members and clients.

We know we are heading into an important year as we prepare to go head to head with CanWest Global when, as expected, it leaves the co-operative.

Over the next few months, your bargaining team will discuss these and other issues with the company. The management bargaining team includes Paul Woods, Heather Boyd, Wendy McCann, Don McKenzie, Andrew Glenny and CP legal counsel, Harvey Beresford.

We will return to the bargaining table on January 8 and have tentative dates set through until the end of April. We will regularly report to you as the talk progress.

Your Guild Bargaining Committee,
Colin Perkel
Scott Edmonds
Terry Pedwell
Ken Trimble
Sylvain Larocque
Kathy Viner, CMG Staff Representative