'Multi-media journalists' displace reporters, editors, photographers in contract parlance
Sault Ste Marie Typographical Union | CWA Canada
Local 30746
In terms of contract language, it's now official: the Sault Star no longer employs reporters, editors or photographers.
"Multi-media journalists are here to stay," David Esposti says with a sigh. The CWA Canada staff representative says that, in order to reach a collective agreement with Quebecor's Sun Media, the union "had to buy in" to having one classification instead of three for newsroom workers.
Esposti, who has assisted in the negotiations, says the union managed to insert a silver lining in the form of a clause that allows layoffs "provided those remaining are competent." What this means, says Esposti, is "the employer has no recourse; he can't cherry pick who is laid off. It turns it into straight senority."
The three-year contract also contains extra language that commits the company to training staff to become "multi-media journalists."
There were no concessions and a few minor gains in the stand-pat collective agreement that largely mirrors those at other Ontario dailies owned by Sun Media.
The membership on Feb. 24 ratified the agreement they are already a year-and-a-half into, says Esposti. There was no increase in the first year, one per cent in the second and 1.5 in the third. Members receive $250 in lieu of the second-year increase being retroactive.
Other gains include a small increase in the mileage allowance; if premiums for benefits go up, the company hikes its share by 50 per cent of the increase; and Family Day is now a recognized statutory holiday in the contract.