Media Release
August 26, 2005

The members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) Local 649 working at SaskPower today voted in favour of accepting the latest Tentative Agreement by a majority of 75%.

“This agreement is consistent with others reached in the public sector.” said CEP National Rep Doug Anderson. He also said “With the acceptance of this agreement we are happy to note that we have finally settled all of our bargaining in the Crown sector.” Local 649 President, Larry Braun said “ This has been a very long, frustrating round of negotiations and both Bargaining Committees did a lot of work. We’re glad it’s done and we can get on with other issues. “

The new Contract, which expires January 31, 2007, is a 3 year deal which does not include a general wage increase but does increase the top rate of each classification by 3% in the 3 rd year. A Flexible Spending Account of $800 was established in the 2 nd year and increased to $1,600 in the 3 rd year for each employee. Moving the previous retirement benefit into a yearly R.R.S.P. fund and a Cost of Living Allowance which kicks in at the end of the Agreement are other highlights of the package.

CEP is a broad based trade union representing 150,000 workers in many industries across Canada. In Saskatchewan the 9000 CEP members work in a wide variety of workplaces which includes most of Saskatchewan’s Crown Corporations, the petrochemical industry, pulp and paper plants, the television industry, the printing and graphical sector and the hospitality industry. CEP members at SaskEnergy work in the transmission and distribution of natural gas within Saskatchewan.

For more information contact
Gord Hunter, National Representative
2365 13 th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 0V8
Office (306)777-0005
Cel (306)539-2007