Dear fellow CMG members at VICE Media,
Our whole union joins with you today as we face the news that VICE Media will be shutting down operations in Montreal and is preparing for layoffs in Toronto. This is devastating news.
For Canadian Media Guild (CMG) members who are losing your jobs in the Montreal office, as well as those at VICE in Toronto who are facing potential lay-off, the loss of a livelihood and a working community will have a real human impact.
For members who remain employed, the uncertainty of this time, witnessing co-workers and friends depart the organization under such circumstances, can also be wrenching.
You have put your hearts and skills into creating and producing award-winning content that has enriched the media landscape across this whole country. You have built something special – an award-winning, innovative media service that breaks important news and reliably entertains, while also inspiring curiosity and pushing conventional limits.
Our union is here to provide all the support we can to all our members who are affected by the announcement today.
CMG Staff Representative Karen Wirsig (karen@cmg.ca) is in Montreal. And CMG Staff Representative Lauren Baert (lauren@cmg.ca) is available in Toronto.
Our union will enforce the terms of our collective agreement, upholding the opportunities, protections, and compensation arrangements that are afforded through it. You can also find more information here: https://www.cmg.ca/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FAQ-English-VICE-Final-2-June-2019.pdf
CMG has also communicated to management at VICE how important it is for the company to acknowledge and respect members who need time to speak and to otherwise be heard throughout these changes.
The closing of VICE’s Montreal-based French service operations is uniquely disheartening. This is another cut to news services in the country, precious few of which operate in both French and English, at a time when we need more, not less, reliable information and courageous journalism.
In solidarity,
Kamala Rao, President, Canadian Media Guild
Sarah Dayus, Acting President, VICE Branch, Canadian Media Guild