CEP and Bell Aliant Reach Tentative Agreement

HALIFAX, April 27 /CNW Telbec/ - The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Atlantic Communications Council (CEPACC) has reached a tentative agreement with Bell Aliant. The tentative agreement provides for a new collective agreement which will expire at the end of 2014. The new agreement will replace the current agreement which is due to expire at the end of 2011.

The Council Executive is recommending that members accept the agreement. If ratified by the union's membership, the agreement will provide new mechanisms to limit contracting out, improve employment security, and preserve key provisions on pensions, benefits, post employment benefits and seniority rights.

The new agreement provides employment security for all members including a firm commitment that there will be no further consolidation of work, including customer contact centres. In return for these commitments and clear targets for reductions in contractor numbers, the union has agreed to new more flexible classifications for workers in rural areas, and expanded provisions for temporary unionized workforces for special projects and the provision of consumer installation and repair services.

Details of the tentative agreement will be presented to union members during the ratification process which will begin on May 3rd. Ballots will be counted on June 11th.

CEPACC represents almost 3000 employees of Bell Aliant in the four Atlantic provinces. CEP is a national union representing 130,000 workers across Canada working in Telecommunications, Paper, Energy, Manufacturing, Broadcasting, Newspapers, Printing and Construction.

For further information: Penny Fawcett, Chair, CEPACC: [phone]; Phil Briffet, Vice Chair, CEPACC: [phone]