TORONTO – Shaw Media’s proposed new morning news shows and public affairs program have been shelved as the company grapples with a labour dispute that could result in a strike by its unionized workers later this summer.
After presenting a new collective agreement to the eastern bargaining unit of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union (CEP) earlier this month, Shaw Media president Paul Robertson confirmed in a note to staff that the company is putting the new initiatives “on hold indefinitely”. “Despite our efforts to reach an agreement with the CEP, we are still in a very uncertain labour environment”, he wrote.
After reviewing the company’s offer, CEP issued a statement to its members recommending that they vote to reject the deal. The votes are scheduled to be completed by Friday.
“Your bargaining committee is NOT recommending the offer and asks you to vote ‘NO’ to a company proposal that offers no improvements to jurisdiction, job security, no language providing proper layoff provisions in Ontario, no increases (beyond mileage and the benefit fee schedule) to premiums and penalties last negotiated in early part of the decade, no changes to pensions, no discussion of reclassification and no proper scales in Winnipeg and Saskatoon where some salaries remain below the provincial minimum wage”, reads CEP’s statement.
When contacted by Cartt.ca, Robertson confirmed that the new initiatives, which formed part of Shaw’s tangible benefits when it bought Canwest, “will absolutely continue” once new contracts have been finalized. He also said that the Commission is being kept up to speed on the developments.
“We have been in touch with the CRTC and they are aware that we are only temporarily delaying the launch of these shows and will fully live up to our benefit commitments”, he wrote in an emailed response.
When asked about the possibility of a strike just before the launch of the fall television season, Robertson said that he is “optimistic” that the two sides will reach an agreement.
“In the event that there is a work disruption, however, we have comprehensive contingency plans in place to ensure that we continue to serve our viewers and advertisers”, he added.
