Tentative Agreement Reached Between Catalyst and CEP
For immediate release
Parksville (November 20, 2008) - The Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada and Catalyst Paper Corporation are pleased to announce that they have reached a tentative agreement on the renewal of the collective agreements for their pulp and paper operations in Crofton, Campbell River, and Powell River. (More)

Mercury Graphics to give workers nothing after it closes plant
Striking workers at Mercury Graphic in Saskatoon will get barely any severance – less than even the law prescribes – if the Company has its way with the planned plant closure.

CEP National Rep Rhoda Cossar said that recent meetings with the Employer went badly. “The meetings were an absolute waste of time.  The Company’s position on a fair severance is appalling,” said Cossar.

Tragically on Sunday September 7, 2008 CEP Local 922 member Brother Robert Tkach was killed when his loop truck went over the end of a ramp. Brother Tkach was a working at the potash mine near Lanigan, Saskatchewan. (More)

CEP Launches “Forestry Solutions Now” Campaign
KAMLOOPS (June 27) – “We’re going to take back out resources – even if that means taking back the mills”. With that statement, CEP President Dave Coles kicked off the CEP, “Take Back Our Forests” campaign at a rally in Kamloops, B.C.

After hundreds of mill closures and the loss of thousands of forestry jobs, Coles said, “we’re fed up with lobbying Ottawa and Victoria to help these communities .. they refuse to do it. We’re going to help ourselves. We’re taking back the resources.”

Coles said the campaign will spread to other forestry communities across Canada this summer and early fall. He said it will be a tough battle and will continue as long as is
necessary to re-establish solid, long-lasting jobs in the forest industry.
(More)

(Photos)

Message from President Dave Coles
I’m calling on all CEP members in Saskatchewan to join me May 1st in Saskatoon to protest Bills 5 and 6. Why, you ask?
(More)

Western Region Education
Union member training has been scheduled this spring across Western Canada. Check what’s being offered in your area. (Details)

Important message from Western Region Vice-President Don MacNeil on the Keystone Pipeline issues.

BC Teachers’ Federation bites the hand of goodwill
The BC Teacher’s Federation, fast becoming recognized in labour circles as Public Enemy Number One, has responded to the latest gesture of goodwill from its administrative staff by locking them out. (More)

Anti-scab C-257
3rd reading vote Results

CEP LOCAL 464 ON STRIKE
The British Columbia Teachers Federation found itself behind picket lines this morning as the members of CEP Local 464 commenced strike action.

“The Local Union tabled an offer at 1:12am addressing all outstanding issues,” stated National Rep Dave Schaub. “These proposals were rejected by the employer at approximately 1:45am. The employer then left the table advising the Local Union that they would be prepared to bargain a new labour agreement when we would agree to address their concessions and contract strip.” (More)

Don MacNeil -( April 10, 2007)
On January 24th 2002 the Alberta Labour Relations Board issued a document entitled A Discussion Paper on Standard Health Care Bargaining Units which outlined a proposed change of policy regarding the certification of bargaining agents in the Alberta Health Care Sector. The Board in the document made several recommendations which caused
the Alberta Labour Movement grave concern. (Read more)
(Labour Relations Board Protocol.pdf)

Media/Event Kit – National Day of Protest  (January 22, 2007)
The attached pages may be helpful to locals who wish to participate in our National Day of Protest to save forest-related jobs in local communities.  These materials and suggestions are consistent with national materials which have been developed related to this issue and are designed to help locals who want to do a bit more. (Documents)

Western Region Sets Priorities
More than 250 delegates from locals across the West were focused on planning at the 2005 Western Region Conference held in Victoria, November 20th to 23rd .
( Photos and videos)

Safety Conference A Success
The second CEP Western Region safety conference has been termed a success. More than 200 delegates from western locals attended the two day conference, held November 6 and 7 in Richmond, B.C. (Story, Photos, Video)

CEP convention welcomes CMAW-Carpenter delegation
by Brian Zdrilic, president CMAW and Millwright Local 2736 Business Representative.

On October 17, 2004 a delegation of BC Carpenters Union members (including Provincial Council officers and executive members) were invited to attend the 6th National Convention of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) held in Quebec City (Story, Newsletter)

The Public Interest
CEP in Saskatchewan has released a report called, “The Public Interest”, in response to political and media speculation about selling off the province’s crown corporations. With a provincial election expected to be held this fall, our union is concerned about the opposition Saskatchewan Party’s promise to review crowns and possibly sell off those in direct competition with the private sector.
(Story & Video)

Alberta NAFTA Challenge
Alberta Federation of
Labour, CEP and 6 other
unions have launched a
formal challenge to Bill
27, a bill to amend the
Alberta Labour Code.
The unions charge the
legislation violates
NAFTA and robs health
care workers of basic
rights. (story, photos)