Traffic was backed up over a kilometer and a half this morning (March 1st, 2022) from the gates at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) out past Highway 17 as workers were outside picketing in the snow. The information picket took place from 6:00am to 8:00am. President of the Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG) Jonathan Fitzpatrick tells myFM they’ve been without a contract since January of 2021.
Fitzpatrick says the roughly 660 nuclear scientists and engineers at CNL will be in a legal position to strike starting Monday, March 14th. Fitzpatrick says they don’t want to strike and would be happy to look at fair offers from the employer. He adds if strike action is taken, they will be stopping every vehicle entering at the main gates to CNL on Plant Road.
CRPEG is calling for fair pay, to stop contracting out professional work, fair working conditions for all, to comply with the Canada Labour Board and improved health benefits as some haven’t been adjusted for inflation in 20-years. Fitzpatrick says there has been talks about a possible meeting next week, but nothing has been confirmed with the employer.
Jennifer Carr, the President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, has said members are frustrated and disappointed with CNL management who have shown little effort to resolve this dispute fairly.
Carr says they handed out many flyers to vehicles passing by to inform other workers they’re trying to reach a fair deal.
More information and the pamphlet handed out to drivers this morning can be found on the CRPEG website.
myFM has reached out to CNL for a comment and will update the story as additional information becomes available.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
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Information picket taking place Tuesday morning at CNL in Chalk River