Jeremy L. Dillon
RW Monitor
12/19/2014
The Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Limited, formerly known as Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, successfully entered into a collective agreement this week with close to 900 United Steelworkers members. The agreement enables the continued work through 2016 and 2017 of 884 union members across CNL sites, including Chalk River. The collective agreements include annual wage increases of 1.5 percent, extended income supplements for parental leave, a new process to address contracting out issues and an expedited arbitration system to deal with grievances, according to a release from the union. “These agreements reflect the respectful approach that the union and the employer brought to the bargaining table," Local 1568 President Vickie Hulley and Local 4096 President Paulette Benoit said in a joint statement. “Both sides wanted to reach a fair deal without a labor dispute and demonstrated a genuine willingness to resolve key issues.”
The agreement also avoids any labor disputes at CNL-owned sites as the Canadian government institutes its Government-owned Contractor-operated (GoCo) model procurement for CNL-operated sites. Under the procurement, the winning bidder would take over management of the site, including the existing workforce. CNL employs approximately 3,400 people at 12 locations across Canada, and its responsibilities include managing Canada’s radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities, continuing Canada’s nuclear science and technology capabilities while maintaining public safety, and providing industry access on a commercial basis to nuclear expertise. The contract would include managing the Chalk River Laboratories, the Whiteshell Laboratories, the three prototype reactor sites, and the Laprade heavy water storage site.
