Category Archives: Journalism

Register today for Arnold Amber Memorial Lecture (virtual)

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March 18, 2021

Dear Local leaders,

Please join us for this year’s Arnold Amber Memorial Lecture (virtual) featuring author and union organizer Jane McAlevey. And please share this information with your members.

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arnold-amber-memorial-lecture-featuring-jane-mcalevey-tickets-142171668287

In solidarity,
Martin

Martin O’Hanlon
President, CWA Canada
The Media Union

Labour Day Message from CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon

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Sept. 4, 2020

Dear fellow CWA Canada members,

For the first time in memory, we will not be marching this Labour Day.

But we will not be silent.

As we mourn our fellow media workers and the many others who have lost their lives due to the pandemic, we will pay tribute to those who continue to provide vital news and information, often risking their own health to do so.

We will shout to defend quality jobs, quality journalism, a vibrant free press, a strong, independent labour movement and to demand racial, economic and social equality.

Unfortunately, many regimes around the world are using the pandemic as yet another excuse to crack down of press freedom, labour unions, and democracy.

And the struggle for equality continues, reinvigorated by the Black Lives Matter movement.

This Labour Day, we vow to keep up the fight against injustice of all kinds:

 

  • We will publicly call out governments and bad actors to embarrass them into behaving better.
  • We will use social media to educate and rally the public by sharing information about fake news, disinformation, and hate, while promoting trusted, reliable news sources.
  • We will support Black Lives Matter and other movements fighting for equality.
  • And we will push for sanctions against leaders and politicians around the world who attack press freedom — block key politicians and officials from travelling abroad and seize their foreign assets and see how quickly things change.

This weekend, please stand with us, pledge your support in the fight for justice, and take a moment to think about what you can do to help.

 

Letter from Martin O’Hanlon

Posted on by

March 30, 2020

 

Dear fellow CWA Canada members,

Let me start with some good news: the federal government announced today that news companies are eligible for a 75% wage subsidy to help cope with the COVID-19 crisis – exactly the help we asked for in a letter to the feds on Friday. We applaud the government for its quick action.

Combined with government ad buys in local papers, that should largely ease the financial burden on our employers. We are already calling on employers that have laid off staff and cut hours to return to full operation.

The bigger issue continues to be health. We have just been informed of the first positive case of COVID-19 at a workplace where we have members – the Windsor Star. While the person affected is not a member, he works near our members and has been in contact with at least one. The workplace has been shut down for a couple of days to be disinfected. We are urging the company to allow staff who have been in contact with the infected employee to self-quarantine at home with full pay.

We want to work co-operatively with our employers but it is also our legal and moral responsibility to ensure that our members are protected. Rest assured that we are communicating with our employers to ensure your health – and finances – are looked after.

If you feel your workplace is not observing proper health protocols, if you are not being compensated properly, or if you have any questions, please contact your Local president or designate immediately. We at the national union will provide any advice, resources and support needed.

In the meantime, continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly, avoid travel, and check the Health Canada website for updates on the spread and how to protect yourself: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

If you develop symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath), avoid contact with others, phone your doctor’s office, and advise your employer and Local president.

In solidarity,

Martin

 

Martin O’Hanlon

President, CWA Canada

The Media Union