The Canadian Media Guild and Aboriginal People’s Television Network reached a tentative agreement to a new five-year Collective Agreement for all CMG members. The negotiations involved merger of the Editorial and Operations Agreements that were set to expire later this year.
The agreement, if ratified, will come into effect on April 25, 2011 and run to April 24, 2016. Copies will be made available to members in the coming days and a ratification information meeting and vote will be held in Winnipeg on February 9, 2011. Members who do not work in Winnipeg will be able to participate via conference call and can have specific questions answered via email as well. Ratification ballots will be couriered to non-Winnipeg locations.
The highlights of the new deal include:
– Across-the-board salary increases of 2% in each year of the deal
– Adjusted and merged new wage scales
– Improvements to Maternity and Paternity Leave
– New language covering respect in the workplace
– New language ensuring CMG members will be used in special projects and that non-CMG members hired to perform work in special projects will be treated in accordance with the CMG Collective Agreement
– A commitment to provide or cover costs for necessary clothing, makeup and hairstyling for on-air hosts
– The creation of a joint committee to review all existing job specification with the goal of ensuring they are complete and appropriately compensated
We are pleased the new agreement was reached prior to the expiry of the existing deals.
“This collective agreement is a collaboration that exemplifies the strong commitment between APTN and our Guild in maintaining a close and productive relationship,” says Vincent Proteau, the Guild’s president at APTN.
“APTN has always strongly believed in building strong relationships to achieve its goals,” says Jean LaRose, CEO of APTN. “Our relationship with the staff and their union is a key component of our success and this tentative agreement demonstrates the commitment of all parties to find solutions that meet everybody’s needs and expectations.”
Both bargaining committees are unanimously recommending acceptance of the agreement.
Vincent Proteau ? APTN Branch President
Derek Christianson
Bruce Spence
Shirley McLean
Dan Oldfield ? Lead Negotiator, CMG
Rick Warren ? CMG Staff Rep
Terri Monture ? CMG Staff Rep