Lessons from the Remaking Games Work panel
by Christopher Demelo Labour issues are quickly becoming the norm in the gaming industry. Layoffs, walk-outs, crunch, poor labour conditions and abuses of power are just a few of the ongoing issues that have been reported over the past few years. Cultural Workers Organize brought together a panel recently to explore some of the different approaches […]
Worker Rights in the Gig Economy
by Laura Kenins Precarious employment is never far from the minds of those in journalism. Even for those lucky enough to still hold full-time jobs, staff at most news outlets wonder when the next round of layoffs is coming. Rarely does a day pass when one’s Twitter feed doesn’t have at least one former staff […]
Bargaining on CBC freelance issues underway
In November members of the CMG freelance bargaining subcommittee met with CBC management to begin negotiations on provisions for freelancers in the CMG-CBC collective agreement, which expires March 31, 2019. The major issues under discussion are – the proper use of contracts including: – the appropriate use of the different categories […]
Story Board is eight today!
Eight years ago today, CMG Freelance and the Canadian Writers Group launched this blog with the intention of sharing information and building a sense of community among Canadian freelancers.
Digital Media Mixer in Toronto November 22
Freelancers, students and media workers are invited to a mixer in Toronto on Tuesday, November 22nd from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Watson’s (388 Richmond St. W, Toronto). It’s an opportunity to make connections with peers and mentors working in digital media, and to discuss the changing nature of media work. Mentors for the evening include Erika Tustin, digital […]
Join the CMG at the CNE on Labour Day
Freelancers and other media workers are invited to join the Canadian Media Guild for a Labour Day parade in Toronto on Monday, September 5th. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at University and Queen Street West in Toronto and ends at the CNE where participants will get free admission to the fair. Family and friends welcome. If […]
CMG plans to raise freelance issues at Vice Canada bargaining table
The Canadian Media Guild says the union plans to address the working conditions of freelancers and temporary workers at Vice Canada.
Vice freelancers: The CMG wants to hear from you
If you’re a regular freelancer for Vice Canada, the Canadian Media Guild would like to hear about your experiences and working conditions. CMG organizer Karen Wirsig is involved in the Vice Canada unionizing drive that began late last year. She says Vice employees have told her they’re concerned about how freelancers are treated by the company. […]
CMG launches union drive at Vice Canada
Young media workers have no problem understanding the benefits of unionization, say the organizers behind Vice Canada’s union drive. “Precarity of labour is a fact for most young people,” says Tannara Yelland, a former Vice employee who is currently working as a temporary organizer with the Canadian Media Guild. “When you work in media, even if you have […]
Saint John Seven end strike, MBS Radio begins lock-out
The seven unionized workers at MBS Radio in Saint John, New Brunswick called an end to their 686-day strike last week. Their employer responded with a lock-out notice, saying they will not be allowed to return to work without a collective agreement. The Saint John Seven joined the Canadian Media Guild in 2011 and spent almost a […]
