Union decries Sun Media job cuts

Quality journalism at risk, SONG president says

TORONTO, July 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The union representing employees at Sun Media across Ontario is stunned by a second round of large-scale newspaper job cuts announced today that eliminates 360 jobs nationally, less than one year after the Canadian media chain slashed 500 union and non-union jobs last fall.

"This is another devastating blow to quality journalism in Canada," said Paul Morse, president of Southern Ontario Newsmedia Guild (SONG), Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union Local 87-M.

"When a newspaper is gutted or even closed, it hurts more than just the people working there. The whole community suffers."

Today's announced layoffs will affect as many as 15 SONG members, including three are at the Brantford Expositor, five at the St. Catharines Standard, five at the Toronto Sun, one at the London Free Press, and one at the Ottawa Sun.

Media workers understand their industry is undergoing rapid technological and economic change, Morse said. "But we also understand that newspapers in the new era must be grounded in great journalism to succeed. How can they do that if they get rid of everybody?"

SONG represents over 600 members at 13 Sun Media newspapers across Ontario, including The Toronto Sun, Belleville Intelligencer, Chatham Daily News, Brantford Expositor, London Free Press, Niagara Falls Review, Ottawa Sun, Owen Sound Sun Times, Pembroke Observer, St. Catharines Standard, Sarnia Observer, Simcoe Reformer and Stratford Beacon-Herald.

The Local represents some 2,800 media workers at 34 workplaces across Ontario, including The Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Metroland, Metro, House of Commons, NOW Magazine and Macleans.

SOURCE: Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada

Paul Morse, President,
Local 87-M Southern Ontario Newsmedia Guild SONG
Cell 905-536-5650