Energy union achieves "leadership" settlement

TORONTO, May 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Energy workers from more than 50 oil, gas and petrochemical operations across Canada have ratified a pattern collective agreement that will see wage increases totalling almost 9% over a 3-year term.

Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union delegates from Local bargaining units participating in the union's National Energy and Chemical Bargaining Conference in Toronto this weekend, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the agreement which sets a wage pattern for the oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

"This is a leadership settlement that reflects a fair share of productivity and profits, and provides progress for workers," says CEP President Dave Coles. "After two years of recession, this is a good settlement that increases purchasing power and that is just what the Canadian economy needs now."

The agreement was reached between the national union and Suncor Energy on behalf of 10 Suncor and former Petro-Canada operations in oil sands, refineries, gas plants and specialty divisions across Canada.

It sets term, wages and other national issues for almost all unionized workplaces in the Canadian oil, gas and petrochemical industries. The national pattern is combined with local bargaining on a range of issues specific to each location to reach final collective agreements.

The agreement calls for a 2.5% wage increase effective February 1, 2010; 3% effective Feb. 1, 2011, and 3.25% effective Feb. 1, 2012. The agreement's full retroactivity provisions also apply to retired workers for any hours they worked during the covered period.

The agreement includes recognition of CEP's National Energy and Chemical Bargaining Program and applies to all CEP Suncor bargaining units.

For further information: Dave Coles, CEP President, [phone]; Joseph Gargiso, Coordinator, National Energy and Chemical Bargaining Program, [phone]. Mr. Gargiso is available for french language interviews.