I have been employed at CBC for the past 25 years first as a casual then as a contract employee and since 2005 as a permanent staffer so I understand and can appreciate the challenges each group faces. I have been working in Radio MPC (formerly Radio Master Control) on the 6th floor for more than 15 years. Prior to Radio MPC I worked as a studio tech in Radio. As a result, I know first hand what challenges shift work entails.  I have also  experienced many technological changes and restructuring over the years and how this has impacted employees. I have heard and discussed various concerns that members have experienced regarding these changes.

In 2016 I became part of a committee in MPC to improve working conditions. This led me in 2017  to become more involved in the Union as a Steward to assist members in raising their concerns and to help them become more informed and seek solutions to their concerns. I have also served on the Local Joint Committee.

While working in MPC and being in close contact with the Maintenance Shops, there was a long standing issue of members working long stretches, i.e. working more than five (5) days in a row. Members regularly worked 6-7-8 days and beyond with no additional compensation. Since late 2019, I was talking with members to get their thoughts and feelings about this issue and how members were scheduled to work. The response was unanimous and I began to encourage members to voice their concerns and dissatisfaction with their respective managers. During our last round of bargaining-2023/24, the Union was able to achieve a reasonable  agreement with CBC in compensating those members affected by this issue. This was a positive result for the Union and members, since this was an issue going back decades and never presented and resolved.     

My goal has always been to improve the working conditions and make CBC a better place. This has been true throughout my working career; I have always striven to be part of a healthy and productive work environment as well as to be cooperative and engaging with my coworkers.

I look forward to serving members as a Chief Steward on the LEC Toronto for another two years to raise members’ concerns to Union leadership and Management and to work with all parties to find acceptable solutions in the spirit of fairness and cooperation.

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Lorne Szatmary
Chief Steward
Canadian Media Guild CBC Toronto Location