The Chalk River Professional Employees Group has ratified a new three-year contract.

Vince Frisina, president of the CRPEG local which represents about 700 engineers and scientists at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s Chalk River Labs, is pleased that the parties were able to reach an agreement without the need for a work stoppage.

The ratification vote was held July 25 at the Chalk River Lions Hall with about half of the membership in attendance. The majority voted to accept the new deal, which was reached July 12.

The employees had been without a contract since July 1, 2011 so in essence the first year of the three-year deal is already passed, Mr. Frisina noted.

The CRPEG executive thanked the members for their patience and understanding throughout the long round of negotiations and for their overwhelming support to achieve a settlement.

The CRPEG is also part of the national union the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). Representatives from the national union, including president Gary Corbett, vice-president Debi Daviau and NCR director John Courtney, were also on hand for the ratification vote and barbecue.

“The barbecue was well received and the members were happy to have the national people from the union attend the vote,” Mr. Frisina said.

The CRPEG executive also thanked PIPSC negotiator Jamie Dunn for his excellent leadership and guidance throughout negotiations, the CRPEG negotiating team for its hard work and long hours and PIPSC for their support with the information picket, media releases and sponsoring the barbecue.

Tina Peplinskie is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist

tina.peplinskie@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @TPeplinskieOBS