The two days of talks last week were just that ? talks. A full review of Canadian Press financials, both actuals and projections for 2005 and 2006, is underway. We have been meeting quarterly to review the 2005 results but, because of the issues being discussed at the bargaining table, a more detailed and up-to-date look must be taken at our current financial picture.

Please be absolutely clear that we have not agreed to anything at present. And the only offer on the table from either CP or the Guild is the one we reported during the summer, from the Guild, calling for one per cent increases in October and December 2005.

Besides reviewing CP’s financial results, we have also brought to the table a summary of the wage increases granted to employees of daily newspapers in larger Canadian centres over the last few years. Click here to view it.

We plan to meet again during the week of November 28.

Your bargaining committee,
Scott Edmonds
Karine Fortin
James Stevenson
Kathy Viner, CMG Staff Representative