AFTER 15 MONTHS OF BARGAINING, WORK STOPPAGE AT THE CBC Contingency programming implemented for duration of disruption CNW At 12:01 am, August 15, 2005, CBC locked out all staff represented by the Canadian Media Guild. Although CBC has been in negotiations with CMG for 15 months in an effort to reach a new collective agreement, no progress has been made on the key issues.
"We are very disheartened to have to take this action," said Richard Stursberg, executive vice-president of CBC Television. "It's disappointing for us, for our many partners, stakeholders, employees and, most importantly, for Canadians across the country. However, given the impasse that we have reached, we have come to the conclusion that only this severe measure will lead to closure and to the signing of an acceptable agreement."
This past Thursday, August 11, 2005, CBC presented a fair, competitive and realistic comprehensive offer to CMG - one that recognizes the business pressures and need for change at the public broadcaster, and acknowledges the needs and aspirations of employees. The proposal contained several new provisions that reflect the union's concerns at the table, a competitive financial package with a significant lump sum payment to employees, as well as a number of positive developments for CBC employees, including deferred salary leave, alternate work arrangements, turnaround, probation and job evaluation implementation. Despite the labour disruption deadline of this morning, since Thursday the union has made no counter-offer.
"No one benefits from a work stoppage," added Jane Chalmers, vice-president of CBC Radio. "However, we are prepared to stay the course in order to pursue the best possible collective agreement for CBC and its employees, an agreement that will position CBC for a successful future. We remain available to renew negotiations and call on the union to meet us at the table to hammer out a deal. To the public we commit to do everything possible, short of mortgaging the future of the CBC, to bring this disruption to a speedy end. We sincerely apologize for the disruption."
CBC has developed an alternate programming schedule for the duration of the work stoppage. The new program schedules are available at the CBC web site at www.cbc.ca, and in daily newspapers across the country tomorrow, Tuesday and every Monday thereafter for the duration of the work stoppage. |