Canadian Union of Public Employees (FTQ)
June 05, 2020
MONTREAL, June 5, 2020 / CNW / – The Montreal employees of the broadcaster Global rejected last night a so-called “final” offer from the employer, Corus Entertainment, for the renewal of their collective agreement. 91% of them voted against this offer, with a participation rate of almost 90% in electronic voting. In addition to the main stumbling block in protecting purchasing power, benefits and the pension plan are also in dispute.
In terms of salary, the employer’s offer, for a period of four years, provided for the payment of a lump sum for the first year, followed by annual increases of 1.5% for each of the following three years . These increases, possibly below the inflation threshold, would have been largely funded by the employees themselves, who should have agreed to reductions in the pay structure.
“The employees of Global Montreal are united and determined, as demonstrated by the result of the vote. Their union negotiating committee has a very strong mandate to protect their purchasing power after many years of sacrifice. We will remain strongly mobilized, and in the coming days, we will file a request for conciliation with the federal Department of Employment and Social Development, ” commented Anne Leclair , president of local 4502 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. (CUPE).
These 40 or so employees, who are journalists, video journalists, technical and support staff, have been without a collective agreement since August 30, 2019. Negotiations began in early 2020.
With nearly 122,000 members in Quebec, CUPE represents some 7,180 members of the communications sector in Quebec. CUPE is also present in the following sectors: social affairs, education, universities, energy, municipalities, Crown corporations and public bodies, air and land transportation, the mixed sector as well as maritime transport. It is the largest union affiliated with the FTQ.
SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (FTQ)
