The CBC announced today that Newsworld Calgary will be shuttered by the beginning of June, affecting 32 employees, or one-fifth of CBC Calgary’s existing workforce. The city’s Newsworld production will shift to Toronto. At the same time, the Corporation is creating a total of 25 jobs for local TV news in Calgary and Edmonton.

The Guild asked for details on the new jobs for Calgary and Edmonton and has yet to receive information on exactly which positions will be posted in which city. Meanwhile, the Guild has learned that new positions are being posted tomorrow in Calgary and Edmonton.

It is not yet clear what will happen to the affected Newsworld employees, but there is potential for significant impact up to and including layoff. The CMG’s Western regional representative Rick Warren was in Calgary today to meet with management and Guild members. The union is forming a local employment committee to help ensure that the affected employees have opportunities to move to vacant and new positions. The union will also ensure that employees’ rights under the collective agreement are respected.

The Guild was told that the Calgary Newsworld program, which airs in the afternoon, will now be produced in Toronto using existing resources. We are requesting a meeting with management about potential impacts on workload in Toronto.

In all, 31 of the affected employees work in Calgary and one works in Toronto. Two jobs are vacant.

For more information, get in touch with the Guild (info@cmg.ca) at 416-591-5333 or 1-800-465-4149.