CFRA staff have first collective agreement!

Staff at News Talk 580 CFRA Radio in Ottawa have ratified their first collective agreement.

The 21 members of the Ottawa Newspaper Guild (CWA Canada Local 30205) voted overwhelmingly last week to approve the deal after nearly a year of bargaining.

The contract brings substantial gains including:

– The introduction of a wage scale for all employees (workers can now see a future at the station.)

– Annual wage increases of 1.50%, 1.75%, 1.75% (previously, they received just 1% a year.)

– Compensation for moving up a classification, compensation for working early mornings, compensation for quick turnaround.

– Workload reviews.

– Commitments on more consistent scheduling, meal breaks, and backfill opportunities for part-timers.

Lois Kirkup, ONG president and CWA Canada vice-president, is thrilled with the deal.

“Under the strong the leadership of CWA Canada staff rep Patrick Legay and CFRA Unit Leader Callum Fraser, the bargaining team made tangible improvements to the working environment,” Kirkup said.

“The unionized employees at the station remained a tight and cohesive group, never wavering in their commitment for a better workplace. The ONG Executive is looking forward to working with and supporting them in the years to come.”

Fraser called the process “arduous and challenging at times,” but well worth it.

“It feels like we conquered Everest in record time. I’m so incredibly proud of our membership. My colleagues remained passionate about our cause throughout the fight for better wages, improved work-life balance, stronger protections, and a more collaborative relationship with management. I am grateful to have been a part of a bargaining committee that was patient, diligent, and wasn’t afraid to be honest with one another. But we could not have done it without the unwavering support of our CWA Canada representation and ONG family. This was a massive group effort. We all did it together.”

Staff at CFRA filed for union certification in June 2023.

CWA Canada is the country’s only all-media union, representing 6,000 workers, including at the CBC, The Canadian Press, and newspapers and other companies coast to coast.