TORONTO – The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) announced a tentative agreement Thursday for terms and conditions governing English-language screenwriting for CBC television, radio, and digital platforms.
When ratified, it will be the first time CBC broadcasting agreements have been renewed with the WGC since 2000.
Set to take effect September 1, the new agreement will set the terms of engagement until August 31, 2016. In recognition of the 13 years between agreements, the new deal includes a one-time rates adjustment, an increase in CBC’s contribution to the writers’ insurance plans and subsequently an annual rate increase each year for the duration of the agreement.
Negotiations focused on creating provisions for work on digital platforms, including reuse of traditional TV and radio production writing and made-for-digital production. Both parties agreed to digital writing rates equal to the upfront writing fees for TV and radio, with an additional provision for rates for character text writing for digital platforms and social media.
“Our primary focus in this negotiation was to recognize that the media landscape has changed dramatically, and provide terms for digital writing and re-use of programs on CBC’s digital platforms," said the WGC's director of industrial relations Laurie Channer of the announcement. "I’m happy to say that we accomplished that.”
“This is a win-win deal that strengthens a very positive relationship between CBC and the Writers Guild,” said Neil McEneaney, Interim Executive Vice President of English Services at CBC/Radio-Canada. “Canadian writers are fundamental to the production of Canadian programming and content. CBC couldn’t create the great Canadian content we do without these talented individuals. This agreement recognizes the contribution that writers make to the fulfillment of our mandate as Canada’s public broadcaster.”
The WGC, which represents more than 2,100 professional English-language screenwriters across Canada, offers its thanks to screenwriter Gary Pearson for representing fellow writers in the negotiations.
