John Gordon on the Treasury Board agreements

When Treasury Board approached us

we had think to think about it

and hear what they had to say.

I asked our Board of Directors if that was

the way we should go. They said

"Sure. You've got to listen"

I talked to them. I also understood

the economic climate in Canada

and the world.

The financial meltdown taking place

the job losses, the signals from

governments about upcoming budgets

all of those things played into

The idea of talking early

to see what we can do.

Because I feared the worst

the longer you wait

Getting extra money that trades off

for severance gives you

extra money in your pocket now

for the whole of your career

If you're a new employee coming in

You're going to have extra on your wages

paid on every hour you work

whether that be overtime or normal work

and that extra money will be pensionable

Right now your severance is not pensionable

We think that's a better deal for everyone