15 December 2003

Guild emerges as the 'one strong union'
in vote at CBC

Canadian Media Guild | TNG Canada Local 30213

When the ballots were tallied today in Dartmouth, following a six-week mail-in vote that concluded Dec. 12, the Canadian Media Guild scored a decisive victory over the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) union.

The vote marks the end of CEP, and its predecessor union, NABET, at the CBC after more than 50 years.

"This sizeable victory gives us good ground to build a bigger and stronger union at the CBC. It shows that a significant majority of CBC employees recognize the Guild’s track record at the corporation," says Lise Lareau, national president of the Canadian Media Guild.

"I am elated at the results," says Arnold Amber, Director of TNG Canada/CWA and president of the CBC branch of the Guild. "We now have one strong union that will be able to better present our views forcefully at the CBC, which is in constant change. At the same time, we are even stronger in our fight for public broadcasting in Canada. The future is ours to ensure a better working life for all of us."

Going into the vote, the Guild had more than 3,700 members at the CBC, including permanent, temporary and contract employees, plus freelancers. The CEP had about 1,400 permanent employees and several hundred occasional workers.

CBC employees across the country (with the exception of the province of Quebec and the city of Moncton NB) cast a total of 4,169 votes. Of those, 2,452 went to CMG; 1,717 to the CEP; 40 were spoiled ballots and 90 were in dispute.

Ninety ballots were not counted because of eligibility disputes. Some were segregated because CEP challenged whether some executive producers should be allowed to vote in this election; others were set aside because CEP challenged their eligibility on other grounds. The returning officer in the election, John Vines, regional director of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), had earlier ruled that he would count these disputed votes only if they were needed to determine a winner.

There was a 71.2-per-cent voter turnout for this vote. This is higher than the 68-per-cent participation rate in the 1993 election, which was held to determine which union would represent Unit 1 production workers.

The Guild had applied almost four years ago to the CIRB to merge two units (program production and administrative). The CBC made a counter-application to the CIRB to include in the merger the trades and technical unit, which was represented by CEP.

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.

During the "One Big Union" campaign, the Guild highlighted 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.

Lareau gave credit for the victory to the campaign team. "CBC-TV senior producer Ken Dodd and a team of more than 200 volunteers across the country did an incredible job. All of our team were CBC employees who campaigned on CBC issues."

"We welcome our new members from CEP," says Lareau. "We value your expertise, your talents, your input and your commitment to the union's role at the corporation."

The CIRB is expected to make a decision shortly as to when the new bargaining certificate will be issued to the Guild. Over the next few weeks, CMG leaders will work with CEP leaders in locations across the country to set up transition teams and political structures, to ensure all members get service and representation in the months ahead. A new, single contract will be negotiated for all members beginning in the spring of 2004.