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Workers at Rogers Media have accepted a new four-year collective agreement that includes wage increases, upgrades, improved benefits and job security.
“I want to congratulate the Local 79-M bargaining committee for achieving real gains for media workers in an increasingly challenging sector,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Local 79-M represents 90 employees in broadcasting operations who will see annual wage increases beginning in June 2018 of 1.5, 2.0, 2.0 and 2.5 per cent.
Showroom clerks, studio camera operators, photographers, general operators and technical directors, who make up 50 per cent of the bargaining unit, will also earn special upgrades.
“The bargaining team has done a fantastic job at achieving gains not usually seen in the current broadcast climate. While this deal has significant gains in most areas, it’s clear there’s more work to be done in regards to scheduling,” said Jake Moore, President of Local 79-M.
Job security was important to members and this new agreement includes language that clarifies that layoff, bumping and recall goes by seniority with no management discretion. Other gains include doubling severance pay to two weeks per year of service, capped at 52 weeks, improved contracting out language, and new jurisdictional language prohibiting non-union personnel from performing union work.
Regular part time and casual workers who average 20 hours weekly will be eligible for benefits, and night shift and work on day off premiums are improved.
The employer has also agreed to contribute to Unifor’s paid education leave, phased in over four years until it reaches three cents per hour, per worker.
