Greetings!

As President of this Local, and on behalf of its Executive and Members we welcome you to explore our Local, educate yourself on Unionism and encourage exchange of ideas.

Our Union is dedicated to improving the lives of working people at CFCN and CFRN television stations. We are part of the Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada, which represents over 162,000 Canadian workers. We pride ourselves on being active members of the CTV Council & CEP Coordinated CTV Council.

As President of Local 899, I encourage all members of this Union, to help shape its future, defend its past, and participate in its present. This can be simply done, by attending membership meetings or being active in the stewardship or other committees within the Union. The choice is yours, but always remember and cherish the fact that you, unlike many workers on this planet, have the choice offered.

This website is only one key element and tool at our fingertips to accomplish our common goals, get information to you quickly and allow an avenue for you to contact us.

Like a link in a chain, only together can we form the strength to stand for our rights, support each other in times of need, and explore the future offered to us.

Bob Lane
President, Local 899

CEP Local 899 Labour History
1966 -	Attempt by National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET) to organize a technical unit at CFRN-TV fails. Instead, employees in all departments form CFRN Radio and Television Employees Association.
1969 -	CFRN Employees Association certified as a trade union under the Canada Labour Code.
1980 -	CFRN Employees Association processes its first grievance (unjust dismissal) and wins case in arbitration.
1986 -	Organizing drive commences at CFCN-TV, Calgary. Designated as NABET Local 828. Majority of employees vote in favour of NABET as their bargaining agent.
1987 -	Members of the CFRN Employees Association vote to affiliate with NABET. Collective bargaining commences with NABET representative leading negotiations for the first time.
1987 -	CFCN employees ratify first union contract just prior to the 1988 winter olympics.
1988 -	Members of the CFRN Employees Association vote for a full merger with NABET. Designated as NABET Local 850.
1994 -	Locals 828 and 850, along with an overwhelming majority of NABET locals, vote to merge with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
1998 -	Members of Locals 828 and 850 vote to merge into a single bargaining unit. CEP files application with Canada Industrial Relations Board.
1999 -	Canada Industrial Relations Board orders CFRN and CFCN bargaining units combined and CTV is designated as common employer. Newly merged local designated as CEP Local 899.
2000 -	First contract reached with CTV on behalf of new Calgary-Edmonton single bargaining unit.
2004 -	Back to the bargaining table!
2005 -	CFCN & CFRN ratify second collective agreement.
2007 -	Creation and Joining of the CEP Coordinated CTV Council.
2008 -	CTV Edmonton and Calgary ratify one year agreement which maintains the status quo agreement with the exception of a salary increase.

Links

Communications, Energy, Paperworkers Union of Canada
www.cep.ca

Canadian Industrial Relations Board
www.clrb-ccrl.gc.ca

Alberta Federation of Labour
www.afl.org

Canadian Labour Congress
www.clc-ctc.ca

Western Region Website
www.cep.ca/reg_western/western_e.html

Labour Start
www.labourstart.org

Canadian Human Rights Commission
www.chrc-ccdp.ca

Canadian Association of Labour Media
www.calm.ca

CEP's"The Activist"
http://www.cep.ca/mentorship/activist_e.html

Health and Safety Policy

CFCN/CFRN will make proper provision for the health, safety & welfare at work of its employees and others that may be affected by their activities. This policy describes the arrangements CFCN/CFRN has made for managing our health and safety affairs.

Adopting an effective health & safety management system
Allocating clear accountabilities to support its implementation
Providing suitable resources to meet its commitments
Maintaining consultation and dialogue with employees
Comply with relevant legal requirements & industry standards
Assess work activities to eliminate hazards & minimize risks
Provide suitable training to develop appropriate competencies & skills
Review health & safety programs, investigate incidents and implement lessons learned
Arrange for periodic audit of the health and safety program
Provide access to competent professional advice

Educational Trust Fund

The Educational Trust Fund is a benefit available to all CEP Local 899 members.

Grants received from the fund could be used to cover the cost of tuition/fees for post-secondary courses. The Trust Fund Committee is comprised of 4 company-appointed Trustees and 4 union-appointed Trustees. (An equal number from both Edmonton and Calgary). Committee Members are listed below. Employees can apply to the Educational Trust Fund for grants for selected courses. The Trust Fund grants an average of $5,000.00 every year to Local 899 bargaining unit employees.

Employees can access the application forms HERE or on-line at work. Go to Outlook; Folders; All Public Folders; Educational Trust Fund; Education Trust Fund Application.

Deliver or fax your completed application to Gloria Letoureau (Trust Fund Secretary) at CTV Edmonton. An application must also include a detailed outline of the course information.

The Committee meets on the second Tuesday of every other month. Applications will be considered at each meeting.

All eligible employees should be reminded of the Trust Funds policy regarding Sports and Personal Fitness related courses and activities. Effective October 2002, the Trust Fund no longer accepts or approves courses of a Sport or Personal Fitness nature, this would include; personal trainers, dance classes, sporting activities, exercise or yoga classes.

If you have any questions regarding the Education Trust Fund, please do not hesitate to contact a Committee Member.

CRTC ducks core issues of Canadian television – CEP

For Immediate Release

March 22, 2010

Ottawa - The CRTC has taken a pass on rescuing Canadian local television and it will now be up to Parliament to flex its muscle in the interests of Canadian culture and consumers, says Canada’s largest media union, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP).

“Referring jurisdictional issues to a federal court while cable companies rake in billions of profits from Canadian consumers is simply buying time – but for what? Completion of Shaw’s purchase of Canwest? The introduction of higher foreign ownership levels in broadcasting?” said Peter Murdoch, Vice-President, Media, CEP.

Murdoch says the negotiation regime proposed by the CRTC places far too much power in the hands of the companies that distribute television. The five largest television distributors have a virtual monopoly, controlling TV stations’ access to 91% of cable and satellite subscribers. The CRTC’s negotiated regime shifts all responsibility for setting Canadian broadcasting priorities to private TV and cable companies. But Parliament gave this responsibility to the CRTC – not the private marketplace. How will these new deals be regulated, be transparent and serve the public interest?

Even more astounding, the CRTC’s new policy reduces over-the-air TV stations’ Canadian content levels from 60% per year, to 55% across the board – or a loss of approximately 31,000 hours per year of Canadian programming. Contrary to its past practices, the CRTC has failed to provide any analysis of the impact of its new policy. So what evidence persuaded the CRTC that the only way to save private broadcasters, is to let them carry even more foreign programming?

“Apparently the pride of distinctive Canadian achievement has been left melting on the Slopes of Whistler. When is this government and the agencies who report to it, going to place culture on the podium?”

Educational Trust Fund

Greetings!

CEP Local 899 Labour History

Links

Health and Safety Policy

Educational Trust Fund

CRTC ducks core issues of Canadian television – CEP

For Immediate Release