TORONTO – A labour disruption at Shaw Media has been averted. At least for now.
The company confirmed that it’s plans to launch a new Ottawa-based public affairs show, a new morning news show in Toronto, and expand its investigative news program 16×9: The Bigger Picture are back on track for a fall launch after reaching an agreement with unionized staff represented by eastern bargaining unit of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union (CEP).
CEP East represents Global employees in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Toronto, Ottawa and the Maritimes. Despite the union’s encouragement to reject Shaw Media’s offer, as Cartt.ca reported, members voted to accept the contract which runs through July 2013.
In a note to staff sent on July 21st, Shaw Media president Paul Robertson said that finalizing the agreement, in addition to striking a tentative agreement with the Canada Media Guild covering unionized employees at its specialty channels, has “brought stability back to a large part of our business”.
“We’d like to thank our employees for putting their confidence in the company, and in our future together”, reads the note. “We also want to assure you that the open dialogue aimed at improving how we work together will continue and we will continue to seek the feedback of our employees on how we can keep improving and building this business together.”
CEP expressed disappointment with what it described as the company’s “tactics”, and said that “it was unfortunate that Shaw used their CRTC commitments as a threat”.
“While the bargaining committee felt the offer came up short of what could be considered fair, the members decision is understandable”, reads its announcement. “They have chosen to give Shaw an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to Global and our members and prove that “Together is Amazing”.”
CEP said that it’s national division and Shaw Media have both filed submissions with the CRTC over "the company’s threats regarding their purchase obligations". And, Shaw Media is still in the process of trying to hammer a new deal with its unionized workers in Alberta and B.C.
A Shaw Media spokesperson confirmed to Cartt.ca that the company remains in conciliation with the bargaining units in the two western provinces. Conciliation is a 60-day period of discussions aimed at reaching a collective agreement, that is mediated by a Conciliation Officer appointed by the Ministry of Labour.
The company had a bargaining date planned in Calgary this week and has also scheduled one for August 9 in Vancouver.
