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04 September 2003
Guild confident CBC workers
will choose forward-looking union
Canadian
Media Guild | TNG Canada
Local 30213
As the One Big Union campaign gets under way, leaders of the Canadian Media Guild
(CMG) are confident they will win the hearts, minds and votes of CBC employees.
"The
time has come to bring everyone at one workplace together in one union," says
Lise Lareau, national president.
"The upcoming campaign will be a good time to discuss what makes a good union,
and for members to choose their union. We're confident that, when voters weigh what
the two unions have to offer, a solid majority will believe CMG is the best choice,"
says Lareau.
Voting is to begin Nov. 3 and will be conducted by mail.
An attempt by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) union to delay the
process was shut down last week when the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB)
refused CEP's request that it reconsider its February decision that the current union
structure at the CBC is unworkable.
The Guild had applied almost four years ago to merge two units (program production
and administrative). The CBC made a counter-application to the CIRB to include the
trades and technical unit, now represented by CEP, in the merger.
The Guild agreed with the CBC's application because of the bargaining strength gained
by having one union, and to give employees greater mobility at a time when technology
and work practises have blurred the lines between jobs.
CEP continued to oppose one union at the CBC.
The Guild has more than 3,700 members at the CBC, including permanent, temporary
and contract employees, plus freelancers. The CEP has about 1,400 permanent employees
and several hundred occasional workers.
During the campaign, the Guild will highlight its record of tough bargaining that
has produced strong contracts without labour stoppages, adapting to significant change
at the CBC in a positive way for employees, fighting contracting out, dealing with
downsizing and its history of inclusiveness following mergers with other unions.
"Our anticipation is that the challenges ahead will require even more thoughtful,
energetic and innovative leadership," says Arnold Amber, president of the CBC
branch of the Guild and Director of TNG Canada. "We have consistently led the
way in dealing with the challenges in our industry."
The Guild campaign, part of which will be conducted through its website (www.cmg.ca),
seeks to foster an open and free exchange of views, discussion of the issues, and
involvement of all concerned. |
