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Unifor members at CTV Ottawa have ratified a new three-year deal with their employer this week.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for fighting for the needs of our members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“We all know the state the media sector is in and every contract our union bargains to strengthen wages and create more job security for journalists and media workers helps make their lives more stable.”
The 25 members of this unit of Local 715-M work as Technical Production Coordinators/Directors, Multi-skilled Journalist, VTR Ingest Coordinator/Editor, Creator Services Producer/Editor and Electronic Graphic Artist.
Given the state of the media industry, the biggest challenge in negotiations was obtaining wage increases and conciliation was required to achieve 2% annual increases.
The gains include a new Letter of Agreement with language that helps protect against potential job erosion due to the use of viewer social media content and a major change in scheduling for one job classification that will allow for better work-life balance.
As well, there were improvements to existing clothing allowance language that will include the union in the discussion when choosing outerwear jackets. Technical production coordinators will now also be eligible to receive outerwear clothing. This new language will help members who work outside have a voice at the table because they know best what they need to feel protected from the elements.
The contract expires Dec. 31, 2026.
“We knew heading into this round of bargaining that it would not be easy. The media sector has been hit hard by job cuts and that includes our local,” said Local 715-M President Peter Szperling.
“But our Ottawa stations are unique, because we have shared language for one job classification with the Ottawa Newspaper Guild. Since our collective agreements expired at the same time, we worked hard together at getting the best possible deal for our members.”
