After two weeks of meetings with APTN management and federal conciliators, agreement has been reached on many parts of the Collective Agreement. But there remain some significant outstanding issues. One major issue is wages, and an agreement on a fair wage increase remains a major stumbling block.

The company is seeking a five year deal but is offering across-the-board increases in only two of those years. Its total compensation offer is 7% over the five-year period, which is far below the average increase identified by its own consultant and well below historic increases in the cost of living in Canada. We have rejected the company’s offer and told them it will not result in an agreement between the parties.

For years, APTN employees have stood behind the network through some very tough financial times. The Guild gave its full support when APTN successfully applied for a cable subscription fee increase, securing the network’s future.

Now, when the network is on a solid footing, pay increases that don’t even cover the rise in cost of living are how they propose to repay our loyalty.

There are still unresolved issues around contracting out and posting of vacancies. As well, the union is seeking assurances on job descriptions.

On the positive side, APTN has withdrawn its proposal to tie progression on the salary scales to performance reviews. This “suck up” pay proposal was a major concern for the Guild’s bargaining committee.

Your Guild bargaining committee is preparing a counter proposal. It will call for fair and reasonable increases, which reflect the ever-rising cost of living. The bargaining committee will hold a teleconference for all members in the near future.

If you have any questions before then, or would like further information, please contact any member of your bargaining committee.

Dan Oldfield, Lead Negotiator
Greg Taylor
Cheryl McKenzie
Bruce Spence
Dan Zeidler, CMG Staff Representative