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23 March 2004
Reporter settles 2-year dispute
with Irving newspaper
Moncton Typographical
Union | TNG
Canada Local 30636
A reporter whose grievance arbitration
exposed "outrageous" and "sinister" management
conduct at an Irving-owned New Brunswick daily has departed
the paper after winning a financial settlement.
Dave Francis, who in December was awarded
both aggravated and punitive damages for harassment and mental
suffering, was also compensated for the short- and long-term
benefits denied him after he took sick leave from the Moncton
Times & Transcript in the fall of 2001.
As part of the deal, the Irving family, which has a near-monopoly
on newspapers in the province, agreed to forgo a judicial
review of the arbitrator's ruling. In turn, Francis has dropped
a civil law suit against Canada Life, the company's insurer
that refused to pay his long-term benefits.
The arbitrator's ruling, termed a "stinging rebuke
of the Irvings," stands as a public record of how the
powerful industrialist family deals with workers who don't
meekly submit to the company's authority.
TNG Canada/CWA Rep David Esposti
says a "window of
opportunity" to achieve a settlement for Francis arose
during the seven months of contract talks that produced an
agreement the union Local decided to accept.
"I see the settlement as a victory for the little guy
even though, of course, the settlement stipulates it is in
no way an admission of wrongdoing," says Francis.
"I hope my actions will help others if they must fight
similar battles of their own. Nobody, regardless of their
wealth or power, has the right to inflict damage on others.
Not even the Irvings or the people they hire," he adds.
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