Northern Lights Health Region

The roots of CEP Local 707 go down deep to 1967 when the Great Canadian Oil Sands Employee Bargaining Association was formed to represent the workers at, then, GCOS.

In 1973, we became affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress and became the McMurray Independent Oil Workers.

In 1987, after a major labour dispute, we officially merged with the Energy and Chemical Workers Union and would become known as MIOW ECWU Local 707.

On November 28, 1992, some 1300 convention delegates voted overwhelmingly to found the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. The 65,000 members of the Canadian Paperworkers Union, the 40,000 members of the Communications and Electrical Workers of Canada and 35,000 members of the Energy and Chemical Workers Union joined forces. About two years later, more than 17,000 media workers from various media unions also joined CEP.

This rare feat of merging well established unions into a new organization was brought about to improve existing services and create new ones.

Membership in the CEP means a better quality of life for us all.