Globe staff ratify new deal

TORONTO, July 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Unionized employees at the Globe and Mail have voted 84 percent in favour of a new collective agreement after narrowly avoiding a strike that was to begin yesterday at the Canadian national newspaper.

The deal included annual wage increases of 1, 2 and 2 percent over a three-year deal. However, the major issues were the restructuring of job security provisions and the company's proposal to have Globe and Mail journalists write advertorial copy for paying advertisers.

"Our success in fending off the Globe's advertorial proposal protects the integrity and reputation of our journalists and of the Globe and Mail itself," said Sue Andrew, chair of the Globe unit. Some 374 Globe journalists, sales reps and administrative staff are represented by Unifor.

The Globe's members are among 2,600 media members of Unifor Local 87-M, which represents many newspapers and other media across southern Ontario.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers, including 15,000 in media. Unifor was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.

SOURCE: Unifor Local 87-M

For comment, Sue Andrew, Globe union chair, cell, [phone]