Unifor supports media workers during Postmedia restructuring

TORONTO , Jan. 18, 2023 /CNW/ - Unifor is looking at all options to protect media workers after Postmedia announced restructuring plans today, which includes laying off workers in the media sector.

"We will do everything in our power to protect our members working in the media sector," said Unifor's National President Lana Payne. "Journalists and media workers often put their lives on the line to provide fact-based reporting to the public and they deserve respect, not constantly worrying when the next axe in the newsroom will drop."

Postmedia logo at the front of its Bloor St. E. headquarters in Toronto. (CNW Group/Unifor)

Workers became aware of Postmedia's new measures from an internal memo sent hours before a town hall meeting on Zoom Wednesday afternoon. The memo outlined the cost-cutting over the coming months as a part of its overall debt-reduction plan.

In October, Postmedia stopped printing Monday editions of nine major dailies – Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, The Province Edmonton Sun, Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Sun and Montreal Gazette – citing news consumption habits of readers, needs of advertisers and rising costs of producing and delivering a printed product.

"This is a massive hit to local news," said Randy Kitt, Director of Unifor's Media Sector.

"The media sector – with barebones newsrooms and constant cost-cutting – needs more stability, not less. We need more support and legislation from the federal government to support journalists and news organizations, so they can keep telling quality, fact-based stories of Canadians."

Earlier this month, Postmedia unveiled its latest revenue report, which stated a net loss of $15.9 million during the quarter ending in Nov. 30, 2022, compared to $4.4 million in the same period the year before.

The media chain also bought Brunswick News Inc. from J.D. Irving in late March 2022 for $7.5 million, which included BNI's daily and weekly newspapers, digital properties and parcel delivery business.

Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers, including journalists in the broadcast and print news industry.

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

Unifor National Communications Representative: Jenny Yuen at [email protected] or [phone].