As of 12:01 a.m. on May 25, 2025, members of the Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG) have officially initiated strike action against Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).
The action comes after more than a year without a collective agreement and multiple unsuccessful attempts at conciliation. CRPEG members — including over 800 nuclear scientists and engineers — have launched picket lines, targeted strikes, and work-to-rule measures in response to ongoing concerns over fair compensation, job outsourcing, and working conditions.
Sean O’Reilly, President of the PIPSC (Professional institute of the Public Service of Canada) tells myFM that the strike, while regrettable, is necessary in ensuring that his members be being treated with a level of fairness he feels they are deeply owed:
O’Reilly goes on to say that the picket lines are unfamiliar territory to his people as fortunately labour disruptions have been largely avoided in past years:
Jonathan Fitzpatrick, President of the Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG) says that this strike is no knee jerk reaction and has been in the offing for several months as negotiations have been carrying on but to no avail:
Negotiations began officially as of February 4th of this year with an impasse being declared the following day. The vote to strike took place between March 25th and 28th.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), representing over 85,000 members nationally, stands in full solidarity with CRPEG as they fight for fair recognition and respect in the workplace.
(Written By; Richard Evans)