The Canadian Media Guild and CP/BN management have reached a consensus on a new shift premium structure after a two-year process to find a better, more equitable system. The consensus was developed using results of the Guild survey conducted last year, and after discussions with staff and management, and the modelling of various options.

The Concept
CP/BN is a 24/7 operation. That means shift and/or weekend work is routine for many of us. At the same time, however, it is widely acknowledged that working odd hours and on weekends is onerous. The concept of the new premium structure is simple: shift premiums should reflect the degree of “hardship” of the work hours, and should be aligned with actual shifts worked. For example, someone working overnights on the weekend deserves a substantially higher premium than someone working a single evening during the week.

The new structure
Overnights: If in any week you work one or more shifts starting between 21:00 and 06:00, you will receive a premium of 8% of your regular weekly wage for that week.

What changes? This is a new premium.

Nights: If your shift extends past 19:00, you will receive a premium of 7% of your regular daily wage for each night shift worked. If you only work one such shift in a week, you will receive the premium as if you had worked two such shifts. If you earn an overnight premium in any given week, you cannot also attract a night premium in that week.

What changes? Previously, a single night shift in a week attracted the same premium as a week full of night shifts. Now, if you work a single night shift in the week, you’ll get paid the premium on two shifts for the week. Beyond that, you will get the premium according to the number of night shifts you actually work in a week.

Weekends: If you work any shift that starts or ends on or after 03:00 Saturday, or ends on or before 03:00 Monday, you will receive a premium 6.5 per cent of your regular daily wage for each such shift with a maximum of two in any week. This premium is paid in addition to any night or overnight premium you may earn in a week.

What changes? The premium rises to 6.5 per cent from 6 per cent.

Vacations: If you earned a shift premium in any six of the last 12 months (i.e. in 26 of the past 52 weeks), you will be paid a premium while on vacation. The rate will be calculated by using the total of premium paid in that period divided by the number of weeks in which a premium was paid in the past six months.

What changes? The calculation of the premium is now pro-rated.

Averaged employees: The same shift premium rules apply to all employees, averaged and non-averaged.

What changes? Averaged employees previously qualified under different provisions (Article 16.08).

Examples:
Assume your regular pay is $200 a day or $1,000 a week. If in a week you work:

Nights:
One night shift: your premium is $28 (7% of $200 x 2)
Two night shifts: your premium is $28 (7% of $200 x 2)
Three night shifts: your premium is $42 (7% of $200 x 3)
Four night shifts: your premium is $56 (7% of $200 x 4)
Five night shifts: your premium is $70 (7% of $200 x 5)

Overnights:
One to five overnight shifts: your premium is $80 (8% of $1,000)

Weekends:
In addition to any of the above, if you work:

One weekend shift: your premium is $13 (6.5% of $200)
Two weekend shifts: your premium is $26 (6.5% of $200 x 2)

Implementation
The aim is to implement the new system as soon as possible, preferably January 1, 2007. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of the shift premium committee.

Susan Le Blanc
Peter Cameron
Colin Perkel