CHCH-TV union votes to support new ownership

    HAMILTON, ON, July 31 /CNW Telbec/ - CEP Local 1100 members working at
CHCH-TV in Hamilton have voted to support the conditional sales transaction
between Channel Zero Inc. and Canwest-Global Communications Limited announced
June 30th, but the union has grieved Canwest-Global's plans to wind up the
present pension plan.
    As a condition of sale present pension and health benefits will not
follow employees to Channel Zero. The new owner has committed to replace
employee benefits with their own plans, and all other provisions of the
Collective Agreement remain unchanged. The agreement between CEP and
Canwest-Global means Channel Zero will not have to renegotiate the Collective
Agreement for one year.
    Canwest-Global had threatened to close the television station if its deal
with Channel Zero did not go through. That would have put 120 employees out of
work.
    "We are happy that our members will continue to work and provide a
valuable service to Hamilton," said Bob Huget, Ontario Vice-President of the
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. Huget adds, "We think Channel
Zero's commitment to local news and local programming is the right strategy
and we trust this transaction will benefit; employees, the company and the
community."
    According to regulatory filings, the pension plan had a surplus at the
end of 2006 and now has a significant shortfall. CEP says that federal
regulators allowed Canwest-Global to take contribution holidays for years
while employees continued to fund the plan.
    "It is unfair to leave employees and retirees holding the bag," says
Huget, "we believe it is Canwest-Global's obligation to fund the shortfall."
    The prospective owner of CHCH-TV and Montreal's CJNT-TV, also part of the
sale, still requires CRTC approval. Canada's broadcast regulator will consider
Channel Zero's application on August 24th. Following CRTC approval Canwest and
Channel Zero will have until November 10, 2009 to close the deal.

For further information: Bob Huget, CEP Ontario Vice-President, (613)
299-9839; Dave Lewington, National Representative, [phone]