Globe and Mail union members approach strike deadline

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Unionized workers at The Globe and Mail could be on strike by midnight Wednesday as they seek pension protection and an end to a pay gap between male and female employees.

"There is no excuse for a pay gap between women and men at a newspaper that considers itself Canada's paper of record," said Jerry Dias, Unifor's National President.

The 320 Unifor Local 87-M members, including reporters, editors, circulation/operations and advertising sales staff, have been negotiating with the Globe for six months. Talks have been stalled for the past two months with virtually no movement from the employer, who is also demanding a two-year wage freeze and an increase in employee benefit premiums. 

Members gave their bargaining committee a 94% strike mandate two weeks ago and have begun ramping up preparations for strike action, if necessary. Workers have created a strike news site called globenation.ca featuring the Globe's top writers and columnists.

"We hope to reach a deal however we have legitimate concerns about our pensions and wages and other issues that the company is simply ignoring," said Globe Unit Chair, John Daly, who is also a writer for Report on Business Magazine.

The union has proposed that the employer move all of its unionized employees into a multi-employer defined benefit pension (DB) plan. Approximately 57% of Globe employees are in a single-employer DB pension plan while 36% are in a much poorer defined contribution (DC) plan, and 7% are in no employer-sponsored retirement plan at all. 

The employer has also refused to discuss Unifor proposals to help women escape domestic abuse.

"How can the Globe maintain its credibility as a newspaper when it won't protect employees living with domestic violence?" asked Unifor Local 87-M President Paul Morse.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 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

For further information: please contact Paul Morse 905-536-5650