Dear fellow CMG members,

With an ongoing pandemic and the attendant hardship, uncertainty and anxiety it has caused in our personal and work lives, what a challenging year 2020 has been. I want to acknowledge the pain and sadness of those who have experienced health problems and other challenges during this difficult time.
CMG continues to work with management to ensure better understanding and support for members who must physically go into work, and for those facing different but equal challenges working from home.

This year, another critical issue received wide attention and it is one unions are uniquely placed to take on: fighting systemic racism. Brave colleagues in the media have shared heart-wrenching and personal experiences of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism in particular, and racism against BIPOC members in general. This is a priority and together we must commit to continuing to do our part to address it until there is real change.

On another front, and as has been the case for many years now, we know that the changing media landscape has brought with it major challenges for us as workers and for our industry. Our union is committed to publicly and politically building support for public broadcasting, for a robust Canadian media sector, and for the work we do as media workers. Along with members and allies across the country, we will continue to push for the changes needed to support strong and healthy media workplaces.

Through it all, CMG members have gone above and beyond, despite increased demands and challenges, to provide the quality information and programming Canadians appreciate in this unprecedented time. And at the same time, many of you across the country are involved in ongoing efforts to bargain strong collective agreements with employers. I share your pride in all the hard work, and appreciate the kindness and solidarity you continue to show for each other as we work collaboratively to make the best of this strange year.

So, thank you for all you do, and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your CMG staff rep and elected officials for assistance and support, and visit our website for updates on our union’s work.

With all my best wishes for a safe Holiday season, and a healthy 2021.

In solidarity,

Carmel

Carmel Smyth
President, Canadian Media Guild (CMG)