(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 26 November 1999 IFJ press release: Media Release November 26th 1999 From Jerusalem to Calgary: Journalists Condemn Conrad Black Assault on Media Union Rights The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest organisation of journalists, today accused Conrad Black, the multinational media mogul, of a “cynical campaign to break […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 26 November 1999 IFJ press release:
Media Release November 26th 1999
From Jerusalem to Calgary: Journalists Condemn Conrad Black Assault on Media Union Rights
The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest organisation of journalists, today accused Conrad Black, the multinational media mogul, of a “cynical campaign to break trade union rights” that has led to major confrontations in Canada and Israel.
In Israel, a dispute has been declared on behalf of journalists at The Jerusalem Post, Israel’s oldest English-language daily, following management’s sudden announcement to cancel a collective agreement.
In Canada, 150 newsroom staff at the Calgary Herald, a leading daily in the Southam and Hollinger network, are already on strike in a dispute over a collective agreement that the unions say is of critical importance to newspapers throughout Canada.
Both newspapers are owned by Hollinger Inc, a multinational media empire controlled by Conrad Black, which encompasses some 600 publications including the Daily Telegraph in London and the Chicago Sun Times.
“These two disputes are half a world apart, but they have common elements — a belligerent management and a cynical campaign to break trade union rights,” said Aidan White, the General Secretary of the IFJ. “Journalists around the world will support our colleagues.”
Journalists and others represented by the IFJ member organisation the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) have negotiated for almost a year for their first bargaining agreement. The management locked them out after refusing point blank to give journalists seniority rights enjoyed by others.
The National Federation of Israel Journalists accused Jerusalem Post managers of trying to write the union out of existence. A management proposal for a new agreement from January 1st slashes salaries, cuts back virtually all benefits to the legal minimum, increases working hours and nullifies the standing of the paper’s staff committee. Journalists say it is the latest move in a long-running management strategy to crush the union.
“These disputes have implications for journalists and others working in newspapers right across the Conrad Black empire,” said Aidan White. “Journalists have the right to fair terms and conditions and management should negotiate in good faith without imposing forms of discrimination.”
In Canada, the newsroom strikers were joined on the picket line by some 60 printworkers of the Graphic Communications International Union who were also taking action in support of a first contract for production, distribution and maintenance staff.
The IFJ represents more than 450,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
