LOCAL REP'S REPORT
The union has bargained new contracts for members employed by the Brandon Sun and Naylor Publications, while contract negotiations for Local 191 members at the Winnipeg Sun, the Winnipeg Free Press and Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal are about to start.
Setek said the 100-strong bargaining unit at the Brandon Sun now have a two-year contract which will expire Dec. 31, 2002. Under its provisions, the workers receive two annual 2.5-per-cent pay increases as well as improvements in their pension plan and night-shift differentials. The most recent Brandon Sun collective bargaining agreement expired last December. Negotiations between the company and Local 191 concluded in May. The company will also facilitate workers' participation in the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Humanity Fund. This means that one cent per hour will be channelled to the fund from each member's wages.
Some 110 members working for Naylor Publications have a new three-year contract, which expires May 31, 2004. The agreement guarantees members 2.5 per cent annual pay increases but carries a provision that raises will be higher if the cost of living increases in Manitoba exceeds 2.5 per cent annually. The contract also provides for improved vacations, higher night shift and supervisory pay differentials and improved benefits for part-time workers. Naylor employees did not negotiate participation in the CEP Humanity Fund. Setek said there were a number of significant contract language changes that benefit members employed by Naylor Publications.
Negotiations for new contracts covering 125 members employed by the Winnipeg Sun, about 700 Winnipeg Free Press carriers and a small number of Spot Graphics Ltd. employees are expected to start within the next few weeks. Bargaining committees have started formulating contract proposals.
Current contracts expire Oct. 31 for Free Press carriers and Dec. 31 for the workers employed by the Winnipeg Sun. The agreement covering workers at Spot Graphics expired last November.