Agreement reached

The Canadian Media Guild is poised to reach a firm agreement with the CBC, via a memorandum of agreement. The CMG announced the terms of what is emerging as the basis of a proposed agreement early this morning.

Details are sparse, but what is official can be heard on the CMG hotline at 1-888-591-9129.

(UPDATE at 2:50 am/ 1:20 ET: Text of an announcement has been posted to the CMG bargaining update page.)

The proposed agreement - which still needs to be written into formal contract language before being brought to members as a "deal" - will bring to an end the lockout that began 50 days ago today.

The hotline message does not deal explicitly with this, but I am told that the most contentious issue - the number of new contract positions - will be limited and will be tied to the overall size of the bargaining unit. The statement says strong language has been achieved to protect the full-time workforce.

The contract, if ratified, will last until March 31, 2009. It is retroactive to April 1, 2004.

It includes a $1,000 signing bonus, plus wage increases worth 12.6 per cent over the life of the contract.

I am told that picket lines will be in place Monday, as per usual - at least here in St. John's.

Among the issues to be worked out: a way of getting all 5,500 locked-out workers back on the job in an orderly fashion, and with it a restoration of services.

CBC and CMG negotiators will be meeting with Labour Minister Joe Fontana in the morning.

OK folks - off to bed.