P.E.I. newspaper workers ratify first collective agreement

Newsroom and finance staff at two P.E.I. newspapers have unanimously ratified their first collective agreement with Postmedia.

CWA Canada members at The Guardian (Charlottetown) and Journal Pioneer (Summerside) voted 100% in favour of the contract, which was reached after 10 days of bargaining. The vote was held Jan. 15.

The Island News Guild unit of the Halifax Typographical Union (CWA Canada Local 30130) includes 11 reporters, editors, and finance staff. The union was certified last July.

The four-year contract includes wage grids that will bring journalists close to many of their Postmedia counterparts in Atlantic Canada, while also increasing wages for finance.

The contract also clarifies the roles of editors, establishes seniority, and formalizes overtime and a grievance process.

After nearly three years of work since filing for unionization, the local leadership is thrilled with the victory.

“I think this contract is a win for local news on Prince Edward Island, and will help us retain staff in the news industry in this province,” said Stu Neatby, a Guardian reporter and bargaining unit member.

Dave Stewart, a Guardian reporter for over 30 years, said the collective agreement represents a lot to him. 

“The bargaining unit has brought back a sense of pride I have not had in my career. The colleagues who negotiated it are to be commended. I did not think this was remotely possible when the idea of a union was first brought to my attention in 2023. This means a lot and I finally feel my work over the years means something.”

CWA Canada President Carmel Smyth said she’s proud of the hard work and dedication of everyone who made the contract happen: “It takes special people who care enough about their colleagues to fight for respect and better working conditions.”

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

For more information, contact:

Logan MacLean (loganmaclean2@gmail.com) or Stu Neatby (stu.neatby@gmail.com)