Negotiators for CMG and TVOntario have concluded two days of talks aimed at reaching a new Collective Agreement. The current agreement expired last October.

The Guild tabled three major proposals this week, including language on “Alternate Work Arrangements.” Employees would have an opportunity to share jobs and to work reduced schedules, compressed weeks and from home. We have reached a stage where many employees are having difficulty balancing their home lives and work, especially where aging parents and dependant children are straining their ability to cope. We hope the employer will realize the benefits of improving work-life balance, including better morale, productivity and health among TVO staff.

The Guild committee also tabled a comprehensive proposal on training. The goal is to ensure training is made available and that employees, individually and through their union, have an opportunity to engage in discussions about the type and frequency of training. It also aims to ensure Guild members are given adequate training for their duties and the technology they are asked to employ.

And finally, we have proposed new layoff and recall language that we believe would provide the greatest chance for employees to preserve work opportunities at the time of an economic downsizing.

Talks are scheduled to resume next week in Toronto.

Your bargaining committee:
Carol Burtin Fripp
David Hawkins
George Pyron
Yves-?tienne Massicotte
Lara Hindle
Dan Oldfield, CMG senior staff representative