We have met with TVO management to discuss recent announcements about job cuts and restructuring in relation to our members’ rights under the collective agreement. At this time, we know that although nine of our members have received redundancy notices, not all of them may leave – nor does it mean that an employee who didn’t receive a notice is 100% certain of remaining. Affected employees have rights under the collective agreement which may allow them to stay at TVO, either by moving into a vacant position or possibly displacing another employee with less seniority. Your Guild executive continues to work hard to ensure that the rules set out in the collective agreement are respected. If you have questions or concerns – whether or not you’re one of the people affected – get in touch with us.

All of you have seen management’s announcements about staff reductions at TVO. But there is more: despite public declarations that the three affected shows will live through to the end of the season, the ugly truth is that nearly all the jobs will end as of December 21, right before the December holiday season. And in addition to the nine occupied positions that have been eliminated in our bargaining unit, a couple of other positions that are vacant or currently occupied by temporary employees will also cease to exist.

We continue to monitor the situation closely, and if you have questions or concerns – whether or not you’re one of the people affected – get in touch with us.

The OLRB process and the future of our work at TVO

As we recently told you, on September 18, a small delegation from the Guild attended a hearing before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, along with representatives from TVO and CEP. We were there to deal with the numerous jurisdictional disputes that have arisen over the past couple of years. Following that day of hearings, the OLRB released a partial decision that confirms what the Guild has been saying for a number of years: when a dispute comes up that involves three parties, all three of them should get together in the same room to discuss how to resolve them. The decision rejects the argument that any and all disputes, even those involving Guild members’ jobs, should be dealt with solely between them and TVO.

The OLRB is suggesting further meetings with all three sides present; no dates have yet been proposed. We’ll keep you posted on developments.

Remember, whenever you have questions or concerns, you can always approach a member of the CMG executive or contact Guild staff representative Keith Maskell (keith@cmg.ca)