During the last round of negotiations, CRPEG, WTEG and WPEG referred a number of issues related to the updated Canada Labour Code (CLC) to mediation. Representatives from each bargaining unit met in Mediation for 2 days in November, 2 days in December 2025, and 3 days in January 2026.
Issues AGREED to align with the CLC. The key changes include:
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Clarifies that employees may request changes to hours, schedules, or work location, with written requests answered within 30 days.
- Employee Statements: The Company will ensure that all required personnel documents will be accessible through myCNL.
- Medical Certificates: Confirms that a certificate may (not always) be required after five consecutive days of absence and not required for shorter periods of time.
- Bereavement Leave: Expands eligibility to include employees already on Compassionate Care or Critical Illness leave and clarifies wording.
- Vacation Accrual: Removal of the requirement to work 10 days in a month to receive vacation credits.
Issues agreed to but not signed off as they require some administrative work.
- Employees who are required to be at the Employer’s disposal during their lunch period will be paid for the unpaid lunch period at straight time. Retro-active pay is being negotiated.
- Revise vacation pays to reflect all earned wages. At the end of every year the Company will reconcile vacation pay to reflect all wages. The Union has asked for retro-active payments. This is still being negotiated.
Issues that may be referred to Arbitration
- During the December Shutdown: Compensation for employees who are On Call and perform work during their regular work week.
- Contractors performing work of the Bargaining Units
- The Union has proposed that the 3 paid personal leave days will only be drawn down on the 1 Personal Business Day earned when the leave is not for personal medical leave AND they not be counted as personal business days.
The signed MOA with the Agree To Items will be appended to the collective agreements.
Further Updates will be provided when the outstanding issues are resolved.
In solidarity,
Mike Fitkowsky & Neal Shultz, WTEG
Jason Martino, Curtis Faucher & Ric Lim, WPEG
Noel Harrison, Curtis Russell & Cliff Dugal, CRPEG
Yvonne James & Denise Doherty-Delorme, PIPSC