On Monday, March 10, 2008 members of CEP 481 narrowly voted to accept an amended memorandum of agreement.  The vote ends the dispute, which had just entered its fifth month.

The members of CEP Local 481 would like to thank all our supporters, those who came out to walk the line with us, bring us food and drinks, wrote and campaigned on our behalf and more.  We couldn’t have done it without your help!

Quote of the week:
“I am stunned at the length of this lock-out.  However, given the nature of most of the individuals on the executive I am not totally surprised.  Most of them come from a hierarchal work place based on a highly defined power structure where its all about who has most power.  They lack the ability to truly negotiate. I am sorry that the largest union in the province has become so distanced from its membership, so lacking in accountability to its membership and the labour movement.  It is embarrassing that a union in the province known for its labour support should have the gall to lock out its employees.”

A brief history of the dispute

SGEU locked out its staff on November 6, 2007.
CEP Local 481 agreed to a SFL request to use a special mediator to resolve the dispute.
On November 30, SGEU refused to take part in mediation.
On December 3, CEP Local 481 contacted SGEU to return to the bargaining table.
On December 4, SGEU refused to agree to go back to the bargaining table.

On January 16, 2008 SGEU finally returned to the bargaining table.  SGEU proposed to extend the term of the agreement currently being negotiated by one year and offered a 2 per cent wage increase that year - 2007 - 08.  This increase is significantly below the rate of inflation and is half the amount received by most SGEU members in the same year. The other concessions demanded by the employer were still on the table.

On January 24, 2008 CEP Local 481 members voted unanimously to support their bargaining committee’s decision to reject SGEU’s last offer.

The actions of SGEU leaders speak louder than words. They try to impose concessions and then lock-out workers who refuse to give in. They refuse to resolve this dispute through the use of a special mediator.

The anti-worker, anit-union actions of the SGEU leadership will have damaging consequences for all unionized workers in this province for years to come..

SGEU leaders: your actions will be remembered...

Videos available for viewing in the above YouTube player

• CEP 481 Strike and Lock-out Notice
• Nov 6 - a member of CEP Local 481 summarizes the events leading up to the strike and subsequent lock-out of CEP 481.
   
• CEP 481 President’s Address, Nov 6
• Nov 6 - CEP 481’s President addresses the members on the picket line, reading that day’s press release and lock-out notice.
   
• A Rally for CEP Local 481
• Nov 23 - a rally was held in Regina for the members of CEP 481.
   
• Interviews From the Rally, Nov 23rd
• A collection of interviews by CEPTV from the Nov 23rd rally.
   
• President’s Address to the SFL Equity Conference
• CEP 481’s President addresses the delegates of the SFL Equity Conference, Nov 27th.
   
• Solidarity Luncheon, Dec 4th
• A solidarity luncheon was held on Dec 4th for CEP 481 members in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.  This is footage and interviews from the Regina luncheon.
• Rally at the Legislature, Dec 10th
• CEP Local 481 and guests met at the Legislature to protest proposed changes to the trade union act. CEPTV presents footage, speeches and interviews from the event.

.What is CEP Local 481?

The 60 women and men who work for the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) have a union of their own. It is the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers’ Union of Canada (CEP) Local 481.

What do members of CEP Local 481 do?

We provide services to SGEU members. We bargain collective agreements, advocate for members in the workplace, administer SGEU’s Long Term Disability Plan, provide administrative support, accounting, communications, education and research services to SGEU’s 24,000 members.

What is the current labour dispute about?

Members of CEP Local 481 have been trying to bargain a collective agreement with SGEU leaders for two and a half years.  On November 6, 2007, talks between the two sides broke off and CEP members walked off the job.  Two hours later, SGEU locked-out its workers.

What are the issues?

SGEU is demanding concessions and offering a wage package lower than the rate of inflation:

• 0% July 1, 2004
• 1% July 1, 2005
• 2% July 1, 2006

SGEU is offering their own workers 3% even though most SGEU members and SGEU out-of-scope managers received 10%, plus bonuses during the same period.

The CEP Local 481 wage proposal is:

  1% July 1, 2005

 1% July 1, 2006

 2.6% January 1, 2007

 3.5% July 1, 2007

 5% July 1, 2008

Total - 13.1% over 4 years.

SGEU staff wages already lag far behind those paid to workers in other unions.  Currently, SGEU Agreement Administration Advisors, staff who bargain collective agreements, are paid 23 per cent less than staff who do the same work in comparable unions across the country.  They also earn about $10 an hour less than the Labour Relations Consultants who do the same type of work for the government of Saskatchewan.

Administrative Assistants who work for SGEU earn 10 per cent less than their counterparts in other unions.*

It is sadly ironic that SGEU is singling out administrative assistants as being overpaid.  For years SGEU proclaimed that "Pay equity is our priority", but when it comes to its own workers, the union leadership chooses to attack this female-dominated group, rather than support women’s right to a decent wage.

Will SGEU members face an increase in union dues if SGEU gives its workers a fair wage settlement?

SGEU is in good shape financially. Revenues are up due to wage increases its members have received in recently signed collective agreements.

Who is providing services to SGEU members during the lockout?

No one is handling arbitrations, mediations, or dealing with other workplace issues.  SGEU members are left without support.

Is it okay for elected SGEU members to provide services to SGEU members during the lockout?

No.  Any SGEU member who does the work normally performed by a CEP Local 481 member is doing the work of the bargaining unit and is scabbing. This is a very serious matter that will have long-term consequences for SGEU and the individuals involved.

How will this lock-out affect SGEU members in the future?

SGEU will have no credibility when it is time to stand up for SGEU members in the next round of bargaining.  If SGEU practices concession bargaining -- and locks out its own staff -- employers can feel justified in doing the same to SGEU members.

How will this dispute affect other workers in Saskatchewan?

SGEU is setting a new, regressive and destructive pattern for labour relations in Saskatchewan. Employers are watching this dispute. If SGEU practices concession bargaining – and then locks-out its workers when they refuse to give in – other employers can justify doing the same to workers across the province.

How can I help get labour relations back on track in Saskatchewan?

Contact SGEU leaders.  Tell them to start acting like a trade union and stop acting like a bad boss.

* Wage data is based on a broad sample of unions comparable to SGEU: B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union, Alberta Union of Public Employees, Manitoba Government Employees’ Union, Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union and the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees’ Union.

Sign our Petition!

A petition has been set up with the following text.  If you are interested in signing please follow the link below.

TO the Provincial Council of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU).

Whereas Unions today play a vital role in the improvement of living and working conditions of all Canadians. Much of our present standard of living and many of the social benefits we all enjoy have come about from the organizing and educational work done by our predecessors in the Union movement; and
Whereas SGEU expects a high standard of conduct of its elected officials in all aspects of Union activity. The Code of Ethics for elected officials of SGEU directs those officials to conduct themselves in accordance with Union Policy and in a manner which reflects well on SGEU and its membership; and
Whereas SGEU Management has locked out the staff of SGEU for not accepting concessions; therefore
We the undersigned, concerned citizens of Saskatchewan, petition the SGEU Provincial Council to bargain a fair collective agreement with CEP Local 481 without concessions.

SIGN THE PETITION!

*NOTE: When signing this petition you may be asked for a donation. If you donate your money will go to ipetition.com.  BY MAKING A DONATION THIS WAY YOU ARE NOT DONATING MONEY TO CEP 481. CEP 481 is not affiliated with ipetition.com and does not ask that you donate money when signing the petition.  You can sign our petition without making a donation.  If you have questions or concerns please

E-mail us.

The members of CEP 481 would like to thank and acknowledge the following individuals and groups for their help and support:

Grain Services Union for the use of office space for our Regina headquarters and their cash donation.

BBC Solidarity Fund for their cash donation.

CEP Beaver Local 192 for their cash donation.

CEP Local 681 for their cash donation.

CUPE 1975 for their cash donation.

RWDSU Local 544 for their cash donation.

Saskatchewan Joint Board RWDSU for their cash donation.

SFL for their cash donation.

United Steel Workers Union Local 7106 for their cash donation.

The Union of Solicitor General Employees - PSAC for their cash donation.

Jerry Straza for our burning barrel to keep us warm and the table and chairs for our warm up trailer.

UFCW Local 481 (Clerical staff of CEP Local 777) for their cash donation.

CEP Local 465 for their cash donation.

CEP Local 467 for their cash donation.

CUPE, Alberta Regional Office for their cash donation.

Kathy Abel and Jose Sepulveda for their cash donation.

CEP Local 820 for their cash donation.

Donald MacNeil for his cash donation.

CLC Prairie Region for their cash donation.

CUPE Atlantic Region for their cash donation.

Syndicat Canadien du Personnel for their cash donation.

CUPE Local 7 for his cash donation.

Frank Mentes for his cash donation.

CEP Local 911 for their cash donation.

CEP Local 594 for their cash donation.

United General Workers Local #1 for their cash donation.

Labour Council Leadership Course Delegates for their cash donation.

CUPE Local 3761 (Staff of SUN) for their cash donation.

Bruce Rempel for his cash donation.

RWDSU Local 454 (Sobeys) for their cash donation.

CUPE Local 650 for their cash donation.

Judy McKenzie for her cash donation.

CEP Local 1 S for their cash donation.

Sharon Hurd for her cash donation.

Larry Kowalchuk for his cash donation.

Canadian Staff Union, CUPE for their cash donation.

Legal Aid LaRonge for their cash donation.

Anne St. Denis for her cash donation.

Media Guild for giving every CEP member a Safeway gift card before Christmas.

CEP Local 777 & CMAW for their cash donation.

CUPE Local 4777 in Prince Albert for their cash donation.

CUPE Education Division Local 2554 in Melfort for their cash donation.

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour for giving all CEP Local 481 members a Christmas turkey and grocery store gift card.

Mark Weichel (Nu-Fab) for his continuous donation of a large amount of wood for our fire barrel to keep us warm.

Hannah for bringing a large plate of Christmas cookies to our line.

Larry Kowalchuk, Gord Hunter and Cara Banks with her children as well as the other people who helped arrange to have Santa come to the CEP kids’ Christmas Party ... with presents!

Saskatoon Interval House management and staff for inviting the Saskatoon members to come down and share a wonderful turkey lunch with them and their sponsors.

Pat at Harry Van Mulligan’s office for letting us warm up and use the washroom while we picketed at SGEU’s newest office 805 Victoria Ave.

The Anonymous person that brought the Regina office a large amount of coffee and muffins.

The Anonymous person that arranged to have chilli brought to our picket line on Thursday, November 6, 2007.

Delegates of the SFL Equity Conference for passing the hat around at the conference to make a donation to our local.

CUPE 4828 for organizing the upcoming Solidarity Luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at all three SGEU offices.

CUPE for all their support.  A very big thanks for adding us to your route for the wonderful coffee van when you were on strike.  It was the highlight of our day!

CEP Saskatchewan Locals for donating the funds to purchase the food for our rally on November 23, 2007.

Karen Reece for organizing the food and cooks for our rally on November 23, 2007.

CUPE 1975 in Saskatoon for their support.

SDLC for their support.

RWDSU for the use of their bus to give us a place to warm up and dry off.

The Regina & District Labour Council for the support shown at a general membership meeting and for their cash donation.

The many people who have come out to our picket line to bring us coffee, doughnuts, soup, muffins, christmas oranges and more importantly a spirit of goodwill and solidarity which is invaluable to us. If we have forgotten your names, we apologize, however we have not forgotten your actions and are very grateful!

Members of the CSU and CULE sent letters to
the SFL to support us.

Read them here

Carl Veistrup, a former longtime SGEU elected representative has a letter published in the Regina Leader Post.

Read more here

What have unions done for us?

Click here

For more information:

http://sgeustrike.blogspot.com

http://www.myspace.com/277187401

http://www.youtube.com/CEP481

http://www.facebook.com
search for “cep on strike”
in the Regina, SK network.

Our online petition - click here

Making the Links, a radio program on CFCR, Saskatoon’s Community Radio interviewed our President. Listen to the program on their website.

Making the Links Website

Want to see a photograph of our lock-out notice?  Click on the picture below.

XPDNC Labour Links has supported us through the months.

View the site here

If you are interested in donating resources or making a financial contribution to our struggle contact us at:

cep481strike@gmail.com

or mail your donation to:
CEP Local 481
Attn: Treasurer
2334 McIntyre St.
Regina, SK S4P 2S2

Cheques payable to:
CEP Local 481.

All donations of support are greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in joining our picket lines please see below for a list of times and locations.

1440 Broadway Ave.
Regina, SK
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

1114 - 22nd St. W.
Saskatoon, SK
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

33 - 11th St. W.
Prince Albert, SK
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Questions? Comments?

E-mail us at:

 cep481strike@gmail.com