ST.
JOHN'S, NL, Aug. 9, 2024
/CNW/ - Unifor continues to advocate for its members and their work
at The Telegram in St. John's as
Postmedia moves through the process to purchase most of the assets
of The Telegram's parent company, SaltWire Network, Inc.
"This is an extremely stressful process for those whose
livelihoods are on the line, and much of that is because we know
CCAA proceedings are not friendly to workers," said Unifor Atlantic
Regional Director Jennifer Murray.
"Whether the newspapers in the Atlantic live on is at the mercy of
the court via the CCAA process and the buyers, so many workers who
are used to being consulted and involved in determining their
futures through collective bargaining are on the sidelines
here."
Unifor responded to SaltWire's Companies' Creditor Arrangement
Act (CCAA) filing in March, noting the devastating impact the loss
of the last locally owned news network will have on Atlantic Canada.
Of particular concern to the union is the fate of the printing
press operation on Austin St., the last wide-format press in the
province, that is not part of Postmedia's purchase agreement.
Legal counsel for Unifor expressed this concern in court,
stating the omission of this facility in the deal creates
uncertainty about the future of that operation and consequently the
future of print media in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"To every extent possible we are committed to protecting
members' jobs, benefits and union rights," said Murray. "In a world
of increasingly manipulated online content, there's accountability
and an unshakeable trust that comes with printed news. Accessible,
local content is vital to the cultural, social and economic
wellbeing of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and essential to our democracy."
During the court proceedings to approve the Postmedia purchase,
Unifor was not asked for and did not give any concessions affecting
the 37 members of Local 441-G working as multimedia reporters,
photographers, printing press operators and in the advertising and
business department at The Telegram.
Unifor has been working hard for years to protect and promote
fact-based journalism in Canada.
In 2016, the union launched its Media Action Plan, a
public campaign driven by Unifor media locals nationwide to fight
to save local news and confront increasing harassment toward media
workers.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every
major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working
people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in
Canada and abroad, and strives to
create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor