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February 22, 1999

A Message to Canadians

At midnight on February 16, two thousand of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's unionized employees walked off the job when contract negotiations broke down between the CBC and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP). NB: Technicians from Quebec and Moncton are not on strike as they are not covered under the same collective agreement.

CBC did not want this strike.

Here's what we offered.

  • A three-year contract.
  • A lump sum payment of $700 on signing.
  • A 3% base salary increase effective June 1, 1999.
  • A further 3% base salary increase on June 1, 2000.
  • 1% of the total CEP payroll to deal with market issues (competitive pay within the industry).
  • 1% of the total CEP payroll to deal with job evaluation (equitable pay within the CBC).

Here's why our offer is fair, realistic and competitive.

  • In 1998 the average CEP member at CBC earned $56,000, as well as significant benefits in the form of pension and dental and health insurance.
  • Many CEP members at CBC already earn as much or more than their counterparts elsewhere in the broadcasting industry.
  • Some of our CEP members have fallen behind industry standards. That's why our offer includes an additional salary increase of $2,000 for each of 434 employees in five job categories in Toronto and Vancouver, to deal with market issues.
  • Our offer to CEP meets or exceeds the average increases at other Canadian media companies and the federal public service.
  • The CBC's offer is a responsible use of public funds, and is in the long-term interest of the CBC and its owners, the people of Canada.

We are doing everything we can to maintain the best possible broadcast schedules during the strike. We regret any inconvenience to our viewers and listeners, and we thank you for your patience. For up-to-date program information, call our toll-free information line at 1-800-886-9039, or check the CBC's website at cbc.ca.

We hope our valued employees will be back at work very soon, so that we can once again provide full public Radio and Television service to Canadians.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. CBC/Radio-Canada reaches Canadians through eight national radio and television networks, its full-service Web sites, local/regional stations and affiliates, as well as the digital television channel Country Canada and the continuous music network Galaxie. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada has forged partnerships with other broadcasters and is a partner in the satellite radio service SIRIUS Canada as well as in the specialty television services ARTV and The Documentary Channel. Through this array of activities, CBC/Radio-Canada brings diverse regional and cultural perspectives into the daily lives of Canadians in English, French and eight aboriginal languages. (2006)

For additional information, please contact:

Katherine Heath-Eves
Media Relations
CBC/Radio-Canada (Ottawa)
Tel: (613) 288-6235
heathevk@cbc.ca
www.cbc.radio-canada.ca

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