MUMBAI: Members of the Canadian Media Guild (CMG) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new five-year collective agreement with CBC/Radio-Canada. A full 93 per cent of members approved the historic deal reached four months ahead of the expiry of the existing agreement.

"The new agreement is based on the principle that people are the foundation of everything that CBC/Radio-Canada does," said Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. "We're working together to strengthen our ability to deliver as the national public broadcaster."

The agreement is a huge milestone in a long-standing relationship that hasn't always been positive. It's a remarkable success story that can be told as a result of the energy, enthusiasm, and hard work displayed by both parties, who both recognized that they needed to change their relationship after an 8-week lockout in 2005. For a significant number of CMG members, it's the first time in a decade that a contract has been reached without a strike or a lockout.

"This is a fresh start for employees and management at CBC/Radio-Canada," said Marc-Philippe Laurin, president of the Guild's CBC/Radio-Canada branch. "It's the product of long and respectful discussions about how we do our work and what is important for the organization. In my 28 years in the union at CBC/Radio-Canada, this round of negotiations stands out and I am very proud of our new partnership."

Beginning a year ago, the two sides held seven full weeks of meetings and hundreds of conversations to resolve long-standing issues related to temporary and contractual employment and other employment security issues. This new contract is a living agreement in which the two parties will discuss issues and concerns openly and work to resolve any disagreements quickly.