20 Years of Labour Peace at CBC/Radio-Canada
Some of us were here the last time CMG walked picket lines at CBC/Radio-Canada stations across the country, from August 15 to October 11, 2005. Management locked us out, without realizing how much it would create solidarity and spark creativity among CMG members. We stayed strong, pushed back against efforts to create more contract workers, and kept the right to more permanent jobs. It also spurred a change in labour relations, leading to an interest-based approach to negotiations and problem-solving at CBC/Radio-Canada. Former CMG President Lise Lareau reflects on lessons learned from the 2005 lockout.
Pension Surplus Sharing for 2024
We’ve received confirmation that the pension surplus distribution of $60 million for those who paid into the CBC/Radio-Canada Pension Plan in 2024 has been authorized by the financial regulator OSFI. Individual payments are expected to land this November. Please watch for instructions on whether you prefer a lump-sum payment or have it deposited directly into your CBC/Radio-Canada Group RRSP account.
ULP Update
As you will recall, CMG filed an Unfair Labour Practice just over a year ago, when unexpected additional monies were announced for CBC/Radio-Canada a few days after we signed a tentative agreement. There have now been three mediation sessions held with the Canada Industrial Relations Board, where the union met with CBC/Radio-Canada management, looking for clarity on that 2024 funding and ways to ensure transparency on incoming governmental monies in the future. We will let you know when a resolution has been found.
Virtual Stewards Training
Looking to get more involved in the union? Want to find out what it means to be a union steward? We’d like to invite you to attend an evening virtual stewards training session next month. There will be an English workshop held on October 6, 2025, and a French workshop on October 7, 2025. Please hold the date and watch for further communications on how to sign up.
Pension Policy Grievances Town Hall
Our defined-benefit pension plan remains strong, as evidenced by the surplus payouts we have received over the past two years. But several developments over the past decade have been a point of contention between union and management. Several policy grievances have been filed in that time over changes to how we pay into it. You are invited to a Zoom town hall to discuss these policy grievances on October 15, 2025, at 19:00 ET. Please save the date and watch for joining details to be sent out next month.
NGC Update
We have active policy grievances on a range of issues beyond our pension plan, including free speech for union leaders, the right for temps to work outside CBC/Radio-Canada, and several on medical leave, among others. There are currently just over 40 active grievances at the National Grievance Committee (NGC) table, most of which are individual grievances that could not be resolved at the local level. Changes made to our collective agreement to help move complaints through the system faster have helped many find a quicker resolution.
CCSB Update
Efforts to modernize our Supplemental Health Care Plan (SHCP) continue as all four unions negotiate with management to find improvements, made extra challenging under restrictions that the cost of the plan cannot increase. This means that, in order to permanently fund services like psychotherapists, we must find ways to curtail costs in other areas of coverage. Social Worker reimbursement was extended to the end of this year in the hopes that we can finalize this package in the meantime. We are working hard to update the SHCP and hope to conclude soon.
10th Anniversary of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission
It’s been a decade since this historic report, with its 94 recommendations on reconciliation, was released. In that time, we’ve seen better representation and space created for Indigenous voices at CBC/Radio-Canada. The CMG has supported efforts at the JEDI (Joint Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) committee; the union caucus pushed to always include representatives from the CBC/Radio-Canada national Indigenous strategy at the JEDI table, to ensure their perspective is part of all discussions. But there is more that needs to be done, and CMG is committed to pushing management to do so.
New Special Director for CBC/Radio-Canada Freelancers
John Loeppky is a Saskatchewan-based freelance journalist and was appointed as the inaugural Special Director for CBC/Radio-Canada Freelancers. This position was created at the CMG convention in May. He is already working on several files, including membership, improved communications, and a dedicated space for CBC/Radio-Canada freelancers on cmg.ca.
Labor Notes Troublemakers Workshop in Toronto
American labour organization ‘Labor Notes’ is offering a workshop for union activists and stewards on October 18, 2025. Information on registration can be found here: Troublemakers Schools in Toronto
In solidarity, CBC/Radio-Canada Branch Executive Council