CMG, National Observer reach 5-year deal

A contract that’s now in place for workers at Canada’s National Observer will make the digital media company a more attractive destination for the best and brightest in the news industry, says its founder.

It’s a first collective agreement for the 11 staff who unionized in 2020 with CWA Canada’s largest Local, the Canadian Media Guild (CMG).

The five-year deal, which was ratified in late May, contained immediate pay raises for almost all staff, a company-contributed pension plan, equipment and expense allowances, overtime compensation and annual pay increases of three per cent.

“We are now positioned as one of the few media start-ups — or even small businesses — to offer this level of benefits to our staff, and we are so pleased to lead the way,” said CEO and Editor-in-chief Linda Solomon-Wood. “I want to thank the Canadian Media Guild for working so hard with us to reach such a good deal.”

CMG President Carmel Smyth said that “after two years of talks, most of which occurred during the pandemic, we are all glad to have arrived at an equitable agreement.”

Members of the bargaining unit, who will be known within the Guild as CNO Union, include journalists, editors and administrative staff.

Canada’s National Observer, founded in 2015, publishes investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, solutions journalism, multimedia features, opinion and daily news coverage.