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A union is a group of people working together to improve their work lives. The principle is simple: we have more clout when we negotiate as a unified group than we do when each of us negotiates one-on-one with production companies.
In general, in order for a union to be formed at a company or in a sector, it requires a majority of workers to support the idea. The union can be voluntarily recognized by the employer or the Ontario Labour Relations Board can ‘certify’ the union. There are various ways to show ‘majority support’, often by signing a union membership card or through a formal vote. In our industry-wide campaign, we’re asking workers to confidentially sign their name here: www.cmg.ca/fairnessinfactualtv/signon
By signing on to the campaign, it means you support the idea of improving working conditions in factual TV. Over 400 people have signed up and this is a great start. It shows significant interest and gives us a collective voice to initiate conversations to improve work conditions. The next step for now is for you to help build support for the campaign among your colleagues. Talk to them about what they would like to change about the industry if they had a union and get them to join here..
Being part of a union means negotiating collectively, rather than as individuals with little power, to set basic rights and standards in the workplace. These often include minimum rates of pay, overtime provisions, standards around hours of work and hiatuses, health benefits, and safety protections.
The Canadian Media Guild’s 2017 contract at VICE Canada meant average salary gains of 9%, guaranteed paid time off and better protections for contract employees (including extra pay for health benefits).
The Motion Picture Editors Guild’s, a local of IATSE, recently negotiated a deal for post-production workers at VICE in New York. This deal achieved a pathway for freelancers to full-time positions, median salary increases of 16% over the 3 years of the contract, and strong overtime provisions.
No. All information collected is kept confidential. In some cases, information is shared with officials of the Ontario Labour Relations Board or another neutral third party sworn to preserve the confidentiality of the names on the list, but not to the company. Anonymity is a guaranteed principle of the Labour Relations Act.
Some executive-level producers and managers may try to intimidate or suggest union supporters will be ‘blacklisted’. Remember, direct intimidation is illegal and should be noted and reported. It’s possible there will be more subtle suggestions that the union ‘will get in the way’ or ‘create uncertainty’. But there’s strong evidence that workers who educate themselves on the issues realize that across most industries and professions, people do better when they bargain collectively.
Dues change from union to union and are a small percentage of your pay and sometimes there’s an additional flat annual fee. The amount is taken off your pay cheque only once the first collective agreement is in place. There are no initiation fees. Dues are tax deductible.
No. The other unions in the entertainment industry represent both employees and independent contractors. There would be discussions about ensuring people are properly classified.
Here are a few of the ways you can help us get to the negotiating table: