I'm currently working with the Canadian Media Guild members locked out by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I've worked there off and on, largely in a support role, but I have many friends there and I am standing by them.
The primary issue is 'contract' employees, Senior Management wants to make all future hires contract or temp. This is not only a bad thing in terms of job security, it is a bad thing in terms of the integrity of the CBC. Employees who have to worry about, not just keeping their job, but getting hired again are less likely to rock the boat, to stray from the management line, or to take on subjects (in news, documentary etc) that are going to be controversial.
Since CBC is one of the few remaining North American news sources that
doesn't worry about ratings and actually invites a bit of controversy,
this could be a catastrophic blow. I am obviously not the only one who
feels this way as the International Federation of Journalists has
planned an "International Day of Action" on September 12 to support
locked out CBC workers.
http://www.cbcontheline.ca/news_0830_dayofaction.htmlIf you would like to lend a hand please visit
http://www.cmgtoronto.ca/activism/back to the line.
Cheers,
Justin