Talks with The Canadian Press turned to the key issues of pension and restructuring this week. Documents have been shared with the Guild and, as expected, the information requires a great deal of scrutiny and analysis. At least two dozen questions have been sent up the line for answers.

Eric Morrison along with David Santangeli from consulting firm Morrison Park joined us on August 13 to give an update on where things stand, answer some questions and report on the most recent meeting with the federal Finance department.

We have signed off on virtually all of the non-monetary items.

? Clear guidelines on how and when employees are to be contacted during off hours, to ensure that time off is real time off
? Overtime on out-of-town assignments: revised protocol so that overtime is calculated and paid on all work beyond 9 hours each day.
? Agreement to create a working group to examine setting up a deferred salary leave plan (sometimes called a sabbatical: the employee defers a portion of salary for a certain number of years, then takes time off and is paid the deferred wages)
? Federal election protocol is to be incorporated into collective agreement.
? Guide to averaging: detailed, clear guidelines for averaged employees and their managers

We agree the very useful discussions on workload that began last winter need to continue, not just at bargaining but throughout the organization. This will be explored further.

Talks will resume next week and continue through the following week as well.

Your bargaining committee:
Terry Pedwell, Canadian Press Branch President
Sylvia Strojek
Fareed Mohammed
Scott Edmonds, Pension Trustee
Craig Wong, Pension Trustee
Kathy Viner, CMG Staff Representative