CEP Press Release
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
203 – 275 Broadway,  Winnipeg, Manitoba    R3C 4M6   (204) 988-1400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2006

Members of CEP local 830 who work for specialty packaging company Endurapak accepted a new three-year deal over the weekend that ends a “survival agreement” entered into six years ago to keep the plant operational in Winnipeg and increases wages and benefits for the average member by 25 per cent..

“Members of CEP local 830 can hold their heads high for the progress and solidarity they showed in this round of bargaining,” said Jim Dixon, CEP National Rep.

More than 100 Local 830 members work at Endurapak, which manufactures lumber wraps, polyfilm, dust covers and bulk bags.  The agreement puts an end to a two-tier wage system and increases wages and benefits over the three-year agreement by 25 per cent, with the greatest portion of this increase realized in the first two years.  The new contract expires April 15, 2009.

In the 2000 round of bargaining the Local and the members where forced into a “survival agreement” to allow Endurapak to remain in Winnipeg and compete with international competitors. The members insisted this agreement must end this round of talks and that real progress be made to ensure meaningful wage increases.

CEP Local 830 represents more than 800 workers in specialty packaging and office supplies at several Winnipeg employers, including Endurapak.  CEP represents 150,000 working people coast to coast in energy, paper, telecommunications, commercial print, graphics and media.

 

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For more information contact: Jim Dixon, National Representative, CEP (204) 771-7090