SCEP Syndicat canadien des communications, de l'énergie et du papier

The dispute between the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) Local 481 and SGEU continues today without any sign of a resolution. CEP was locked out November 6.

In an effort to find a way to resolve this dispute the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour has tried to assist both parties by offering to find an independent mediator who could help broker a settlement.

“We met with SFL President Larry Hubich and have agreed to bring in a third party.” said CEP National Rep Kate McKinley, “We believe that having someone who has no ties to either side might just pave the way to finding a compromise solution. We also believe that, who so ever we can agree on, should be asked to make written recommendations.”

McKinley went on to say, “Unfortunately SGEU has rejected the SFL offer of mediation and has also has rejected the notion of issuing a public report. We can only surmise from that, that SGEU does not want to get back to the table and does not want to negotiate a fair agreement with their Staff. CEP appreciates the efforts made by the Larry Hubich and the SFL. It is truly unfortunate that SGEU has rejected our overtures, out of hand.”

CEP Local 481 President Kelly Diebel said, “After more than a month on the picket line we are disappointed that Bob Bymoen continues to reject all our efforts made in an effort to find a way to resolve this dispute. It is frustrating; we get messages of support from SGEU members daily but the union isn’t listening. Our fight isn’t with the members. Their leadership has taken the union on this misguided adventure, seemingly blind to the consequences. The leadership of SGEU are treating their employees worse than any government has ever treated them”

CEP offered to come back to the bargaining table Thursday and Friday of this week to try and seek a resolution to some of the outstanding issues but SGEU has refused.

CEP Local 481 members are employees of the SGEU. 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 locations which includes the IT sector, the forestry sector, the petro-chemical industry, potash mines, the television and printing industries and at most of the Saskatchewan Crown Corporations.