2011.11.29
Quebecor's Sun Media eliminating 400 jobs
Quebecor is moving to cut 400 jobs across its Sun Media chain, according to news reports today.
The buyouts and layoffs come just before Christmas, as they did in 2008 when Sun Media slashed 600 positions — 10 per cent of its workforce — in Ontario, Quebec and Western Canada.
CWA Canada represents employees at many of the Ontario dailies in the Osprey chain that was gobbled up by Quebecor in 2007. A senior manager at Sun Media said he did not expect that any CWA Canada members would be affected, but added that vacant jobs likely won't be filled.
"While it's a relief to hear that none of our members will be hit, it's a bad day for jobs and journalism," said CWA Canada Director Martin O'Hanlon. "The only reason the smaller newspapers escaped the axe is because they are already cut to the bone. The news that vacant jobs won't be filled means already over-worked staff will have to work harder and the product will suffer. This shows us all the more why we must step up our fight to preserve quality local jobs and quality journalism."
Many of the jobs to be eliminated this time are at the Sun papers in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton.