2012.10.05 | CWA Canada Local 30213 | Canadian Media Guild
Saint John's Stalwart Seven seize upon licence renewals
as chance to improve local radio programming
There are times when a battle on behalf of a few could reap benefits for the many. Such a scenario is unfolding right now in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The licences for two of three radio stations in that community, owned by MBS Radio of Halifax, Nova Scotia, are up for renewal at the end of this year. Seven employees of those stations — CFBC, CJYC (Big John) and K-100 — who form a local unit of the Canadian Media Guild (CMG), have been on strike since June 25, attempting to secure a first collective agreement that would provide them with decent wages and working conditions.
The CMG — CWA Canada's largest Local with 6,000 members — has filed a submission to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that details MBS Radio's failure to meet its commitments to provide quality broadcasting to the community.
While the CMG's submission might not resolve the labour dispute, it will certainly underscore CWA Canada's vow to fight in all cases for quality journalism and vibrant local media. Last year, CWA Canada ran a campaign in Kingston in which it attempted to shame Quebecor Media into restoring the quality of its once award-winning daily newspaper, the Whig-Standard.
"Enough is enough," says CWA Canada Director Martin O'Hanlon. "MBS has been getting away with inadequate local programming for far too long and it's time they're held to account. The people of Saint John deserve better.
"This is about standing up for quality local radio. MBS have only one objective: making as much money as possible. That trumps everything else for them, including the community, the quality of their product, and the treatment of their employees."
The Guild estimates that MBS takes revenues of more than $1 million a year back to Halifax from the Saint John stations, "in part by keeping the number of local employees and their salaries low and demanding free work from (them)… ."
Without the protection of union representation, individuals who work for MBS wouldn't have risked their jobs by revealing to the CRTC the shortcomings of their employer.
"Our members have significant concerns about MBS Radio's commitment to the community of Saint John," says the CMG brief. "We believe that Halifax-based MBS Radio does not make an adequate contribution to or investment in the local community, a situation that has now worsened during the conflict it is experiencing with employees, advertisers and listeners."
Commercial Radio Policy 2006, which indicates that radio is an important source of local news, states that "licensees must incorporate spoken word material of direct and particular relevance to the community served. This must include local news, weather, sports coverage, and the promotion of local events and activities."
The CMG notes that "MBS has not had local newsgathering resources in Saint John for approximately four years. … All of the regular "local" news and information programming … is produced in a small newsroom in Halifax. There are no local reporters to cover local or provincial government or the issues and events taking place in Saint John. As a result, MBS provides absolutely nothing to enhance the local diversity of editorial voices," which is a requirement of Canada's Broadcasting Act.
The CMG outlines instances in which MBS is failing the community:
- Newscast produced and recorded in Halifax before 6 a.m. on weekdays and plays through the morning news run. No breaking local news.
- Only one of three stations broadcasts live after noon hour; no breaking news coverage in afternoon casts. DJs, who are not newsgatherers, are asked to pass along information to Halifax newsroom if something happens.
- From 6 p.m. to midnight on CJYC-FM and from noon to midnight on CFBC, as well as on weekends on both stations, programming is generally voice-tracked. The weekend weather forecasts are done on Fridays.
- On CJYC, morning show rarely has traffic reports; no traffic reports in afternoon currently because shift is voice-tracked from out of market.
- On CFBC, morning show is currently being voice-tracked out of market. No traffic reports, weather forecasts only until noon and are often vague.