18 October 2004

Corporation sticks to demands
for major concessions

CBC bargaining update

Canadian Media Guild | TNG Canada Local 30213

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has tabled more regressive contract language containing proposals that would make it easier to get rid of employees and limit recall rights.

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Playback CMG fights CBC over 'flexible' contract "The idea of a permanent career at the CBC is not necessarily a strange idea." — Arnold Amber, Director of TNG Canada/CWA, in his role as President of the CBC branch of the Canadian Media Guild and member of the bargaining team, in an interview with Playback magazine.

The CBC continues to advance positions at the bargaining table that paint a picture of limited possibilities, concessions and two classes of employees. The Corporation claims it needs major concessions to be more "flexible, agile and nimble" in order to meet the challenges of a new broadcasting world. It says the Guild and its members don't understand the current environment.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Guild members know well the challenges of competition, technological advancements and fiscal realities. They live them. In fact, it would be hard to find employees who have been more flexible, particularly over the past 15 years. Guild members consistently produce creative, high-quality programming that is recognized around the world. They are not strangers to coping with, and embracing, change.

The Canadian Media Guild's bargaining team is ready to discuss real needs based on real facts. It believes the way to make sure enough resources go to programming is through sound management and good labour relations. The Guild believes a well-trained, positively motivated workforce is the way to adapt to an ever-changing industry and has presented proposals to achieve those goals.

The Guild notes with interest that vice-presidents Jane Chalmers and Richard Stursberg have joined the bargaining process with their recent "Special Edition" bargaining update. Neither they nor their negotiating committee have provided any concrete evidence why they need concessions or why a stable workforce is unable to meet future challenges. The Guild invites these two vice-presidents to come to the table when bargaining resumes on Oct. 25 to help craft a fair deal that addresses real needs.

The Canadian Media Guild entered this round of bargaining to advance a vision of a progressive collective agreement that would enhance members' worklives, give them real career opportunities and ensure a future at the CBC.

There is an enormous amount of work ahead to create a single contract that brings all employees together. It's not about concessions; it's about finding imaginative and creative solutions to difficult problems.

This story first appeared on the Canadian Media Guild web site.