Your CMG bargaining committee is seeking improvements to the collective agreement in both monetary and non-monetary areas. For example, we think that changes can be made to improve overtime – how it’s calculated as well as how it’s compensated; job descriptions and the salaries attached to them; and access to more stable retirement income. We’re also proposing, among other things, to preserve and protect producers’ authority over the content they are assigned to create, and to improve the performance management program. The latter, although somewhat better now than it was a couple of years ago, still needs some fine-tuning to better reflect the realities of working at a public broadcaster.

So far TVO management has shown reluctance to make any changes to the existing collective agreement. The employer has received a directive from the Ministry of Education that states that compensation is to be frozen “until the province ceases to have a deficit”, and therefore TVO claims its hands are tied. We respectfully disagree, and are continuing to craft proposals that will result in improvements for our members. Together, we may have to show the company that another way is possible, and even necessary.

We will continue to keep you posted on developments. As always, we appreciate your continued support. Please feel free to talk to any of us at any time if you have questions or concerns.

Your bargaining committee:

Mike FitzGerald
David Hawkins
Liane Kotler
Gregg Thurlbeck
Christine Lee
Keith Maskell, CMG staff representative