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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 22, 2010
Ottawa - Canada's largest media union is asking whether the silence from the CRTC about the latest shutdown of local news at CITY television stations is the result of Heritage Minister James Moore muzzling the CRTC."Despite Canadians' overwhelming demonstration in the past several months of the importance of local news to their daily lives, the CRTC and the Harper government have been alarmingly tight-lipped about this drastic cut in local coverage," says Peter Murdoch, Vice-President Media for CEP, Canada's largest media union.
When Rogers bought the City stations in 2007, the billion-dollar media giant told the CRTC it supported the stations' "distinctive local programming." But now, just two years later, it has slashed local newscasts and laid off employees, despite the fact that from 2008 to 2009, local advertising revenues on Rogers' television stations jumped 41% - an amazing increase in the middle of a recession.
"While the Tories absent themselves from Parliament, big lobbyists like Rogers are given free rein to duck their promises to Canadians. And it appears the CRTC, Canada's broadcast regulator, has been told to go on vacation as well."
Murdoch says the CRTC should immediately conduct a hearing into the news cuts and if the Harper government didn't want to avoid Parliament, MPs on the Heritage Committee should be calling Rogers to task as well.
"There is something terribly wrong when a giant media company pays its Blue Jays baseball outfielder, $126 million and then cuts local news to save money. Shameful. Who is looking out for the interests of Canadians in this vital industry?"
More Information - Peter Murdoch at 613-230-5200
To Local 723M Members:
Re: Rogers layofffs
The Company said
the layoffs were as a result of a slow economic recovery and poor ratings for
some of its news programming. Management
at Citytv Toronto has implemented a cut of 14 ½ hours of local news programming
per week including the daily; news at
Employees in seven classifications including; Director, PA, Live Eye, ENG Camera, ENG Editor, Writer, and Electronic and Weather Graphics were affected. Two employees assigned to Omni Television also received layoff notices.
The notices were delivered to the junior employees in affected classifications who will have the option to accept layoff or bump junior employees in other classifications. In addition management has said it would accept volunteers in affected classifications who would not otherwise receive a notice but who could save a junior employee from layoff.
Since the
deadline for bumping decisions is Thursday, January 21, at
Collective Bargaining has been put on hold while the layoffs are conducted. Members of the Local Bargaining Committee were released to provide assistance and support to laid off members and members with layoff questions.
The Local has
rented a meeting room at the Bond Place Hotel, next to
In solidarity,
Local Executive
Board
Vacation notice not intended for Union members
Vacation Accruals – Management at Rogers’ Television has confirmed that the notice to all employees dated December 18, 2009 does not apply to members of Local 723M. The notice stated that employees could only carry over a maximum of five days earned vacation into 2010 and the rest would be forfeit. Wayne Smith, Rogers’ Director Human Resources, says the notice was not intended for Union employees.
The Company can encourage employees to take their unused vacation, and if necessary, schedule an employee on vacation pursuant to Article 13.1.5 upon two weeks advance notice. Under no circumstances can an employer “delete” or allow an employee’s earned entitlement to be “forfeit” as this would be a violation of the Collective Agreement, and also, violate Section 185 of the Canada Labour Code:
185. The employer of an employee who under this Division has become entitled to a vacation with vacation pay
(a) shall grant to the employee the vacation to which the employee is entitled, which shall begin not later than ten months immediately following the completion of the year of employment for which the employee became entitled to the vacation; and
(b) shall, at such time as is prescribed by the regulations, pay to the employee the vacation pay to which the employee is entitled in respect of that vacation.
Complaint filed with CIRB
CEP
has filed a bad faith bargaining complaint against Rogers’ Broadcasting
Limited over its announcement that it would unilaterally change the
terms of employee benefit plans effective January 1, 2010.
Rogers’ sent a letter to all Omni employees at the end of November
detailing changes in health benefits. The Union asked the Company
not to implement any changes as benefits are part of the Union’s
bargaining agenda. Under the Canada Labour Code once notice
to bargain has been given the Company may not change terms and
conditions of employment without the agreement of the Union. On
December 15, 2008 Roger’s signed an agreement with CEP stating that it
would not change employee benefits pending renegotiation of the
Collective Agreement. Citytv employees continue to be covered
under the terms of the former ‘CHUM’ benefit plan.
Contract Continues Past Oct. 31st
The
CTV and Rogers' Collective Agreements continue in full force and effect
until a new agreement is negotiated or until a legal strike or lockout
occurs pursuant to the Canada Labour Code, Part I.
While bargaining proceeds members of both bargaining units continue to
receive credit for service/seniority and continue to progress through
the wage schedules in Article 16. Anniversary increases must still be
processed, such as, the Rogers' January 1, 2010 anniversary increase.
Negotiations between CEP and Rogers' Television commenced on November
11, 2009 and further bargaining dates are scheduled through early
February 2010.
Negotiations between CEP and CTV Limited will commence in early 2010. The parties met and discussed an extension of the existing Collective Agreement but agreement could not be reached on the terms.
A
general wage increase is subject to negotiation. Generally
speaking we negotiate retroactivity on all wage increases subject to a
Memorandum of Agreement between the Company and the Union and
ratification by the members of each bargaining unit.
Yours in Solidarity,
Local 723M CTV Ltd. Negotiating Committee
Local 723M Rogers Negotiating Committee
CTV Ltd. Sale of DIC and Sex-Tv to
Corus Entertainment
The Company's sale of DIC and Sex-TV to Corus Entertainment will not
involve the transfer of any unionized staff. The Union had been informed of
the transaction but was asked to keep it confidential.
The Company
has committed to reassign the affected employees to other work and it
has committed that no bargaining unit positions will be cut because of the
sale
to Corus.
The Company has stated that the sale of DIC and Sex-TV
provides some badly need revenue which will help stabilize the Company's
finances. It may take six months to get CRTC approval for the sale and
transfer of assets.
Until then CTV Limited will continue to operate the
channels.
Office Days
Due to negotiations with both Rogers and CTV, office days are being suspended until further notice.
Olympic Consortium
CTV and Rogers are offering full time employees a leave of absence from their positions for the purpose of working on the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Please be aware that these positions are non-union and are not subject to the terms in the Collective Agreement. Make sure you understand and accept all terms of employment before you accept a position with the Olympic Consortium, including the proposed "lump sum in lieu of overtime", per diem, accomodations, split shifts, short term disability (sick days), meal breaks, and hours of work.