Communications

The Provincial Screening Caucus was held Oct 5 - 9,2009 in Yorkton. The delegates screened proposals from Local 1S,2S and 3. Healthy debate took place and the bargaining mandate for the upcoming negotiations was formed.

Notice to Bargain will be given in November with an exchange of proposals expected to take place in December. Full bargaining is expected to begin in the new year.

Essential Services discussion has taken place with SaskTel. We have committed to provide Essential Services in the event of a labour dispute. We have always done this. In the event of a strike situation if an emergency was to arise the company would notify CEP of the situation and if deemed an emergency CEP would dispatch the appropriate members.

Elections for the SaskCouncil Bargaining Reps were completed at the caucus.

SaskCouncil Gender Rep: Shelley Boutin Gervais
SaskCouncil At Large Reps: Claudine Berner and Glen Armstrong

Also on the Bargaining Committee
Local 1S: Gord Kuhn President
Local 2S: Bob Bender President
Local 3 : Jason Reil President
Chair: Susan Saunders National Rep

Budget and Flat Dues

At the January 2009 General meeting the Budget was presented to the membership by Treasurer Bob Rempel.

As a result of the Budget flat dues for 2009 have been set at $28.50 per full time member per pay period. The amount is to be prorated for hours worked in relation to full time for part time members.

Flexible Spending Account

As of December 15, 2007, and by December 15th each year thereafter, SaskTel shall contribute an amount of money equal to 1% of an employee’s base annual salary for their permanent classification as of November 1^st to a Flexible Spending Account. Part-time employees shall receive a pro-rated contribution calculated in accordance with Section 1, Article 24, Pro-Rated Sick Leave. New hires during the calendar year will receive 1% of estimated earnings for the period of time on staff during the year. Employees will have the option of allocating funds to the Public Employees Pension Plan (PEPP), Centennial Group RRSP Plan administered by Manulife Financial, Health Spending Account, Home Computer Purchase Program or to a Wellness Account. A joint Union Management Committee will be struck to further define options and to address implementation and administration details.

2007 Bylaw Review

The Bylaw Review vote has been completed. The Election Committee counted the ballots Dec 10,2007

All of the proposals have been accepted by the membership.

To see the proposals and results: Proposal Results

Amended Bylaws will be forwarded to CEP National Union to ensure they conform to the CEP National Constitution

The Ratification of the bylaw changes followed a similar process to that of the Collective Agreement ratification. A meeting explaining the proposed changes and the rational behind them. Then after allowing for any questions from the membership everyone had the opportunity to accept or reject any of the proposals.

For a copy of the current bylaws see: Bylaws

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Collective Agreement Ratified

On June 15, 2007 all the ballots were taken to Regina where representatives of the election committees from all three locals were on hand to count them.

The result was that 89% of the voting members of Local 1-S, 2-S and 3 voted in favour of the new revised collective agreement.

The Collective Agreement will come into affect immediately and the 4% increase to wages in the first year will be applied as of June 3, 2007. The $1000.00 signing bonus will appear on your cheques as soon as the company can arrange it.

Some other changes that are a result of the new agreement will require some additional consultations to finalize the details and if you have any questions about anything please contact your Group Rep or the local office.

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Tentative Agreement Reached

On May 10, 2007, a tentative agreement was reached between SaskTel and CEP.

For additional details and information on how the ratification process works please see: Voting on a Tentative Agreement

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Scholarships Available

CEP National Scholarships Available for 2008

There are several scholarships available to CEP union members please contact the union office for additional information and application forms.

The scholarships still available include:

Saskatoon & District Labour Council $1000.00 Scholarship
Deadline June 1, 2008

Open to all members and dependants of members of an affiliated union/local to the SDLC (CEP Local 2-S is an affiliate)
Applicant must currently be in Grade 12 and must attend a post secondary education with in the year that they graduate.
Subject of the essay to be submitted with the application must be "The Trade, Investment and Mobility Movement Agreement" (TILMA), What does it mean for Saskatchewan?
Please include the following information with your essay: Name, address, phone number, Union, Local number, relationship to the Union member.
The essay must be hand delivered/or post marked by June 1, 2008 clearly addressed to:
- SDLC Essay Contest
  c/o Eileen Foster
  110B - 2103 Airport Drive
  Saskatoon, Sask S7L 6W2

CEP SaskCouncil two $1000.00 Scholarships
Deadline July 1, 2008

Open to all students whose parent or guardian is a SaskCouncil member (Local 2-S belongs to SaskCouncil)
The amount of the scholarships, $1000.00, tenable for the first year of post Secondary Education in any faculty of any accredited college, university, nursing or technical school offering credit courses in Canada.
Scholarship shall be held only by a student who is registered in a full time course.
Applicants must have full grade XII standing on or before the application deadline and shall supply an official transcript of grade XII standings.
A letter of endorsement from an official transcript of the last school attended must accompany this application.
Applications must be completed and in the hands of a CEP Local officer no later than July 1, 2008.
Please contact the Union office at 382-7555 or the SaskCouncil Website for a copy of the application form.

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New Chair for SaskCouncil

Shelley Boutin-Gervais has been acclaimed as the Chair of SaskCouncil at the February 2008 meeting

Norm Reimer (Local 1-s) is Treasurer

Brenda Abrahamowicz (Local 1-s) is Secretary

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New Executive Members

As a result of Bylaw changes the Executive has increased from 10 to 11 members with changes in duties for existing Group Reps.

Penny Matheson has been acclaimed to the position of CRC Group Rep.

Penny assumed her new duties January 28, 2008

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