TORONTO – The Canadian Media Guild continues to call negotiations between itself and CBC “constructive” as the two sides continue to negotiate.
“Modest progress was made at the bargaining table yesterday (Wednesday) as the Canadian Media Guild and CBC management signed off on two articles, posting of vacancies and posting of schedules. The two sides also exchanged language on freelancers and assignment,” says the Guild.
That brings to 15 of 40 issues which have been resolved. “The talks are constructive and continue today,” added CMG.
Also today, CMG felt it necessary to clarify why certain reporters are still on the air.
“None of the reporters that you see on CBC TV these days is a locked-out member of the Canadian Media Guild,” said the release.
“Most are in Quebec, where the journalists belong to a different union than CMG. There is also a reporter and videographers in Moncton who belong to the Quebec union. In addition, several reporters stationed overseas have done stories or could soon be asked to do so.”
Ann MacMillan, a former correspondent, is the manager in London. Nancy Durham and Azeb Wolde-Giorgis in London, Nahlah Ayed in the Middle East, David McGuffin in Africa, and Henry Champ in Washington are all on unaffiliated contracts. These people are local hires and as such have not been locked out. Their contracts with the CBC require them to work. “They are not scabs,” the union said
However, out of solidarity with his colleagues, Paul Workman in Paris has decided not to return to work until the lockout is over. As a result, CBC management has put him on "unauthorized" leave.
