With the possibility of a strike or lockout looming just days away, the Corporation’s bargaining committee says it will accept no compromise. It has now become painfully obvious that CBC management is prepared to risk the future of public broadcasting in order to get its way.
Management refuses to move from its position to permit entire classifications of employees to be hired on short-term contracts. And it now refuses to bargain this issue until the Guild agrees to that position – something the Guild has said repeatedly it will never do. The future of careers, pension plans, benefits, and decent working conditions is at stake, as is journalistic and creative independence.
We have tried repeatedly to respond to the demand for greater flexibility. We have given the Corporation a detailed proposal that would provide it with significantly increased operational flexibility (click here to read our proposal) and simplify and enhance the existing blend of permanent and non-permanent employees.
The Corporation says that’s not good enough. It demands total capitulation. To quote the Corporation’s lead bargainer, “This is very much the hill we will die on. This is the mandate for us and the mandate is very clear. We need flexibility. We realize where this (our position) may lead us, and we’re prepared to deal with the consequences.” These types of statements are, to say the least, cavalier, provocative and careless.
Earlier today we filed a bad faith bargaining complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The complaint is based on the Corporation’s tabling of a 200-page document just days before the deadline. The document contains new language, revised proposals and reneges on agreed-to language. CBC management has presented it without identifying or explaining any of the changes.
CBC management says it doesn’t want a work stoppage. These are hollow words that we suggest be judged by management’s actions in the coming days. There are many other important issues that remain unresolved. Remember, the key disputes in these talks are the result of Corporation demands, not Guild proposals. Management’s bullying style and its all-or-nothing approach threatens the possibility of a negotiated agreement and will, if maintained, result in long-term damage to CBC programming and credibility.
The Guild remains committed to staying at the table to negotiate a fair agreement but cannot and will not agree to a scheme that endangers the future of our members and the CBC.
Your bargaining committee:
Arnold Amber, Toronto
Pierre Claveau, Vancouver
Brendan Elliott, Charlottetown
Percy Hatfield, Windsor
Joe Hill, Toronto
Wendy Hunt, Toronto
Gerry Jones, Regina
Barbara Saxberg, Toronto
Lee Siemon, Toronto
Chris Turner, Fredericton
Rick Warren, Vancouver
Dan Oldfield, Senior CMG staff representative