Two days of negotiations under the direction of the Minister of Labour have failed to result in the resolution of any of the major outstanding issues. CBC management has made no substantive movement on its positions on employment status or on layoff and recall provisions during extensive discussions in the presence of federal mediators.

The Guild tabled new language on layoff and recall that attempted to address some specific concerns raised by management. Our offer was rejected and management has continued to maintain a position that would severely limit opportunities to retain employment during a downsizing. Management has also refused to move away from its proposal that would allow it to engage more and more contract employees at the expense of permanent jobs. Management’s position is virtually the same as it held before it imposed the lockout.

We will continue to meet. Later today, we will be consulting our location presidents. We hope to be able to report some progress.