(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: Media Release May 5th 2000 IFJ Condemns New Calgary Lock-Out and Police Assault on Media Protesters The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ group, today condemned the widening of the bitter Calgary Herald dispute by newspaper mogul Conrad Black whose local management locked out […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release:
Media Release May 5th 2000
IFJ Condemns New Calgary Lock-Out and Police Assault on Media Protesters
The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ group, today condemned the widening of the bitter Calgary Herald dispute by newspaper mogul Conrad Black whose local management locked out 105 press workers who are negotiating a new contract. They join journalists and distribution staff who have been on strike since November 8th last year in a bitter confrontation that centres on respect for basic union rights.
“It is grimly ironic that management chooses the eve of World Press Freedom Day to launch its latest attack on media rights,” said Aidan White, General Secretary of the IFJ, “while people around the world are celebrating the sacrifice and courage of those fighting for media freedom, at Calgary management are tearing down traditional social rights for journalists and media workers.”
The IFJ also protested over police handling of a picket-line protest over the lockout. “Police completely over-reacted,” said the IFJ. “Management claims of an imminent riot were absurd and police tactics verged on the brutal as they descended on peaceful protesters outside the factory.” The IFJ said that a number of strikers and protesters were roughed up by police and arrested, detained but not charged.
“This escalation is unjustified and only makes the possibility of a negotiated settlement more difficult,” said the IFJ. “But it is not too late for common sense to prevail. But management must be ready to talk and to deal fairly with its workers. Violent confrontation never solves industrial problems; but it leaves bitterness that sours relations for years. Conrad Black and the Hollinger management must act now to promote dialogue that will bring peace to Calgary.”
The IFJ represents more than 450,000 journalists in 102 countries, including journalists in Canada covered by the CEP on strike at Calgary.
