AD Group: The bargaining committee is meeting on October 22 to review the results of the bargaining questionnaire.  Demands and pay data will also be reviewed.  Once demands are finalized, they will be submitted to NRC and bargaining dates will be scheduled.

AS Group: The bargaining committee is meeting on October 29 to review demands and pay data. Once demands are finalized, they will be submitted to NRC and bargaining dates will be scheduled.

CS Group: The tentative agreement has been ratified and NRC has been notified.  NRC is now going through their approval process.  We expect that the new agreement will be signed within several weeks.

OP Group: A meeting of the bargaining committee will be scheduled shortly.

PG Group: Bargaining broke off on September 22.  The RCEA applied to the PSSRB for the appointment of a conciliator.  One has now been appointed.  We anticipate that conciliation will take place in November.

TO Group: No news to report at this time

Pay Equity: No news to report at this time

Performance Bonus: While the Performance Bonus Program was in effect, the RCEA challenged NRC’s refusal to publish the names of bonus recipients.  That challenge was heard in the Federal Court of Canada, Trial Division.  The Court recently ruled that NRC was not within the law to refuse to provide the RCEA with the names of recipients.  The RCEA will now receive that list of names from NRC. Here is the web site that cites the Performance bonus court decision: http://decisions.fct-cf.gc.ca/fct/2003/2003fc1116.html.

Volunteer and Personal Days: Members should be aware that in those collective agreements that currently provide for both the volunteer and personal days, the leave must be taken in one day blocks.  It cannot be taken by the hour or the half day.