Dear WPEG Members,
We are pleased to share that on June 16, 2025 the members of the Whiteshell Professional Employees Group (WPEG) voted to ratify the tentative collective agreement with CNL.
We had a strong turnout—just over 70%—reflecting your engagement and commitment to shaping our workplace. Thank you for taking the time to review the agreement and make your voice heard.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the WPEG Bargaining Team—Denise Doherty, Payton Tenebaum, Michael Belli, Caitlin Pelletier, Jason Martino, and Curtis Faucher—for their dedication and persistence throughout the negotiation process. Their efforts ensured that member priorities were clearly represented at the table.
This agreement reflects progress on a number of fronts, and we are encouraged by the constructive tone of this round of bargaining, especially as CNL moves forward under a new GoCo contract with Nuclear Laboratories Partners of Canada.
While some key issues were not directly resolved within the scope of this agreement, through the contract period CNL and WPEG are committed to address issues on:
- Office planning and site conditions that support a respectful, functional, and well-maintained work environment;
- Recruitment and retention strategies that recognize the challenges of a remote, time-limited project site;
- Fair and transparent salary grading and role clarity for new hires;
- Proactive staffing planning and consultation, including on the SBWRS initiative.
We also acknowledge that CRPEG remains at an impasse and has taken a neutral position on its tentative agreement. WPEG will continue to monitor those developments closely and advocate for consistent, fair treatment in the interpretation and application of shared provisions—particularly around benefits and labour standards.
Salary Adjustments and Back Pay
Please note that the implementation of salary increases and retroactive pay will take some time. Based on past practice, CNL typically processes salary adjustments first, followed by back pay. While we understand members are eager to see these changes reflected in their pay, some patience will be required. We do not anticipate that the salary increases will be implemented by standard July 1, but we will continue to follow up with the employer and provide updates as timelines become clearer.
Thank you once again for your participation and support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about next steps.
In solidarity,
WPEG Executive & Bargaining Team
Curtis Faucher
Adam Van Aert
Jesse Gordon
Saju Sam
Chuck Kitson
Jason Martino
Michael Belli
Caitlin Pelletier
Denise Doherty
Payton Tenebaum