NEWS AND EVENTS

Cuts to ethnic programming by Rogers lead CRTC to call OMNI stations to early renewal hearing, raising concerns about lack of local programming

TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Unifor, the union representing staff at most of Canada's private television stations, applauded today's decision by the CRTC to call the five OMNI TV stations licensed to Rogers Broadcasting Ltd to an early public hearing to account for deep cuts to OMNI's ethnic programming announced in late May 2013.

Between April 2012 and May 2013 Rogers cancelled 25 ethnic news and information programs, representing 31.5 hours of first-run programming, and laid off more than 60 staff from the OMNI stations, including reporters and program hosts, many of whom are represented by Unifor, Canada's newest union.

The CRTC ruled however that Rogers' programming cuts to Chinese, Polish, Punjabi, Tamil, Italian, Portuguese and other ethnic local shows did not technically violate minimum license requirements at the five OMNI stations in Vancouver, Toronto, Edmontonand Calgary.

However the CRTC immediately cut short these licenses due to expire in August 2015 by one year and in a public hearing will force Rogers to address the Commission's "concerns" at the "apparent lack of local programming on some of the OMNI television stations." The early license renewal for the OMNI stations will be folded into Rogers' group license renewal for its national chain of City TV stations next August.

"Thanks to Unifor and all the community interveners raising this issue," said Howard Law, Unifor's Media Sector Director. "Rogers is now on the spot. Rogers will obviously have to deliver better and binding commitments to local programming at the OMNI stations if it wants to get its City TV licenses renewed."

In its ruling the CRTC expressed frustration at not being able to tell from Rogers' programming logs how much was original broadcasting, and how much was just repeats. It noted however that the current OMNI terms of license on minimum local programming included repeats in the stations' quotas.

But the Commission also noted that Rogers might be violating the CRTC Ethnic Broadcasting policy on the level of local programming, even if it was meeting its minimum license requirements.

Unifor was formed Labour Day weekend with the merger of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. It represents more than 300,000 workers across Canada, including representing 15,000 employees in broadcasting and other media industries.

The CRTC decision 2013-657 can be accessed on-line at: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/whatsnew.htm

SOURCE Unifor

Tim Hudak's proposals for public sector would drag down economy

newswire.ca · by Mike Harris · December 5, 2013

TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Tim Hudak should be pressing his big business friends to invest in the Ontario economy and create good jobs, but instead he's attacking workers with modest incomes and pensions - a move that will only further hurt the economy, said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas today.

When income inequality is at historic highs, Ontarians are looking for leaders who will grow the economy and share the wealth, not shrink the economy and hoard an ever-growing pile of 'dead money', as seems to be Hudak's policy, Thomas said following yet another Hudak attack on working people.

"Here's Ontario's biggest problem: as long as there is not enough money in workers' pockets, Ontario's economy will continue to limp along," said Thomas.

Hudak said yesterday that if elected Premier of Ontario, he would further cut the public service. In fact, said Thomas, jobs for critical services such as drinking water inspection remain unfilled.

"How could anyone propose further cuts to the public service when Ontario has the lowest level of program spending per capita of any province in Canada?" asks Thomas. "And those public service jobs are what's holding many local economies together across Ontario.

"Hudak seems to say that people act for their community and society only if they're paid to do so. OPSEU members do it because they believe in family, friends and community. From the time Tim Hudak's mentor, Mike Harris, started attacking public services, Ontario Public Service (OPS) job numbers have dropped about 10 per cent. OPSEU's OPS membership is down more than a third.

"This is why I don't agree with him. His description of public services disrespects hard-working Ontarians who have devoted their entire working lives to their communities. My motivation for coming to work each day is simple - to build a better province.

"I invite Tim to publically debate the issues with me based on facts rather than spin. The numbers are clear. Public services are declining with OPS management jobs suffering the least and front line services and workers suffering most," said Thomas.

SOURCE OPSEU

For further information:

Warren (Smokey) Thomas 613-329-1931

Cuts to ethnic programming by Rogers lead CRTC to call OMNI stations to early renewal hearing, raising concerns about lack of local programming

newswire.ca · December 6, 2013

TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Unifor, the union representing staff at most ofCanada's private television stations, applauded today's decision by the CRTC to call the five OMNI TV stations licensed to Rogers Broadcasting Ltd to an early public hearing to account for deep cuts to OMNI's ethnic programming announced in lateMay 2013.

"Thanks to Unifor and all the community interveners raising this issue," saidHoward Law, Unifor's Media Sector Director. "Rogers is now on the spot. Rogers will obviously have to deliver better and binding commitments to local programming at the OMNI stations if it wants to get its City TV licenses renewed."

But the Commission also noted that Rogers might be violating the CRTC Ethnic Broadcasting policy on the level of local programming, even if it was meeting its minimum license requirements.

The CRTC decision 2013-657 can be accessed on-line at: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/whatsnew.htm

SOURCE Unifor

For further information: Please contact Howard Law, Director, Media Sector 416-456-1875.

Unifor's first regional council to discuss issues facing Ontario and Canada/

newswire.ca · December 5, 2013

TORONTO, Dec. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Unifor will hold the first of its regional councils this weekend, December 6-8, as elected local union representatives from acrossOntario meet at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto to debate such issues as job creation, threats to unions, and violence against women and youth.

More than 750 will be attending, with a packed agenda that includes speakers from both Unifor and the community, including the outspoken Conservative SenatorHugh Segal and the mother of a Toronto teen lost to gun violence:

Friday, December 6:

9:30 a.m., Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier;
11:15 a.m., Barbara MacQuarrie, community director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at theUniversity of Western Ontario;
2 p.m., Unifor National President Jerry Dias;
4 p.m., Unifor Economist Jim Stanford will outline the union's plans for a Good Jobs Summit in 2014;

Saturday, December 7:

10 a.m., Conservative Senator Hugh Segal, who led Senate efforts to amend the Harper government's anti-union Bill 377 earlier this year, will speak about the role of unions in society;
10:30 a.m., Unifor Research Director Bill Murnighan will speak about ongoing threats to union rights;
3 p.m., Symone Walters, whose son Tahj Loor-Walters was killed last summer in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto, will speak about her work with Unifor Local 112 in Toronto to end gun violence. Tahj's grandfather, Victor Loor, is a member of Local 112.

As the first Ontario Regional Council meeting of Unifor, delegates will also adopt a set of bylaws and elect their first executive, as well as members of seven standing committees. The meetings take place at theSheraton Centre, Toronto, Grand Ballroom, lower level and are open to the media.

Unifor was formed Labour Day weekend with the merger of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. It represents more than 300,000 workers across Canada, including 156,000 in Ontario, in every major sector of the economy. Regional councils are also planned for 2014 inQuebec, British Columbia, the Prairies and the Atlantic.

SOURCE Unifor

For further information: please contact Unifor Communications: Shannon Devine (cell) 416-302-1699, Katie Arnup (cell) 416-333-8097 or Stuart Laidlaw (cell) 647-385-4054

Changes to the Canadian Labour Code

The lives of almost one million Canadian workers will be placed in danger as a result of cynical amendments that the Conservative government is making to the Canada Labour Code. Buried deep in the government’s latest budget bill tabled on October 22 are amendments to the health and safety provisions of the Code that have nothing to do with balancing the budget, and everything to do with putting workers’ lives at risk.

The government wants to water down the right to refuse dangerous work, end the role of federal Health and Safety Officers in the investigation process and give employers the power to discipline workers when they invoke the right to refuse dangerous work. All together, these changes would make the Canada Labour Code provisions on the right to refuse dangerous work the weakest in the country, and put workers’ lives at risk. These proposals have no business being put in a budget bill.

Recently, some of you answered the call to action by sending an email to your MP and Ministers Leitch and Kellie, thank you. Help us to put a stop to these proposed dangerous changes bysending this action to a friend.

We’ve also made an educational video to share that explains the changes simply and effectively, you can see this on youtube and share it with as many people as you can.

Canadian Labour Congress
2841 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1V 8X7

Rogers and NHL Announce 12-year Broadcast Agreement

2013-11-26

Rogers Communications and the National Hockey League today announced a landmark 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement that includes all national rights to NHL games on all platforms in all languages. The agreement, the largest media rights deal in League history, begins with the 2014-15 season and continues through the 2025-26 season. This marks the first time a premium North American-wide sports league has granted all of its national (Canadian) rights to one company on a long-term basis.

Rogers also announced today it has selected CBC and TVA for separate sub-licensing deals for English-language broadcasts of Hockey Night in Canada and all national French-language multimedia rights, respectively.

The agreement is subject to approval by the NHL’s Board of Governors at its meeting on December 9-10.

“Sports content is a key strategic asset and we’ve been investing significantly to strengthen our sports offering to Canadians,” said Nadir Mohamed, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rogers Communications. “Canadians are passionate about hockey, and through this landmark partnership with the NHL we’ll be able to bring hockey fans more games and more content on their platform of choice.”

"Our fans always want to explore deeper and more emotional connections to NHL hockey, and that is precisely what Rogers has promised to deliver over the next 12 years – channeling the reach of its platforms and the intensity of its passion for the game into an unparalleled viewing experience," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman."The NHL is extremely excited about the power and potential of this groundbreaking partnership."

Canadians will receive more NHL games than ever before through Rogers’ wireless and cable assets, promotional vehicles, and diverse media assets – including City and all Sportsnet platforms. Highlights of the agreement include:

National rights across TV broadcasts, TV Everywhere, wireless and mobile tablets, Internet streaming, terrestrial and satellite radio, and out-of-home;
National rights to all regular season games, all playoff games and the Stanley Cup Final, and all special events and non-game events (i.e. NHL All-Star Game, NHL Draft) – in all languages;
Out-of-market rights for all regional games;
Ownership of all linear and digital highlights, including condensed games and video archives;
NHL broadcast assets: Rogers to operate NHL Centre Ice and NHL Game Centre Live;
Sponsorship rights to the NHL Shield logo as an official partner of the NHL; and
Canadian representation of ad sales for NHL.com.

“Our vision is to build on the NHL’s legacy in Canada with an emphasis on storytelling, innovation, and technology -- weaving the NHL, its teams and its stars even deeper into the fabric of Canadian culture,” said Keith Pelley, President, Rogers Media. “Today’s announcement significantly increases the value of our premium Sportsnet brand and reinforces our commitment to making Sportsnet the #1 sports media brand in Canada.”

Rogers will provide multiple game coverage on up to nine TV channels plus digital and radio on any given night (see “Sample Saturday Night” addendum). Expanded pre- and post-game coverage, behind-the-scenes access, profiles of the league’s Top 50 stars, first-to-market production technology, a state-of-the-art high-tech studio, and a Hockey Production Centre of Excellence will give Canadians a new way to experience the NHL like never before (see “Programming & Production Philosophy” addendum).

This agreement is net present value positive for Rogers’ shareholders - it is expected to be accretive to Rogers Media operating profit from the outset and significantly, will yield additional benefits to the cable and wireless operations. The financial terms comprise annual payments commencing at just over $300 million in the first year, with gradual annual escalations, increasing to approximately mid-$500 million in the final year of the contract term. These payments, together with an upfront payment amount of $150 million spread over the first two years of the contract, will amount to $5.2 billion in total payments to the NHL over the 12-year term. The annual rights costs will be offset by consideration received under the CBC and TVA sub-licenses referenced above.

"AS POSTED ON BROADCASTERMAGAZINE.COM"

The CRTC is launching a consultation process to reshape television regulation in response to changing technologies and over the top completion ie: Netflix.

This process needs to be done, but in light of the recent throne speech and the CRTC’s comments, that they may deregulate the industry, we enter this process with a sense of urgency and importance to our job and careers. It is our opinion that deregulation will directly lead to job loss and a reduction in quality Canadian programming in the broadcast industry.

The Consultation process outlined in the attached document is in 3 parts. Public consultation (until November 22), a survey and in-depth review, followed by submissions and a formal hearing next September.

In this initial phase the CRTC outlines the questions:

What do you think about what’s on television?

What do you think about how you receive television programming?

Do you have enough information to make informed choices and seek solutions if you’re not satisfied?

Unifor agrees that a discussion to improve the current regulatory framework is worth having and that the CRTC should continue to regulate the industry in the best interests of all Canadians. Unifor believes that we should continue to foster:

1. Quality Programming

2. Canadian Content

3. Local, community programming

Please read the attached document and send your comments to the CRTC, our jobs depend on it.

Join the online discussion forum: www.crtc.gc.ca/talktv Host a “Flash!” conference: www.crtc.gc/eng/com300/cwc1.htm

Use the: [Comment/answer form] Phone us: 1-800-368-0390 Email us: talktv@crtc.gc.ca Write us: CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2 Fax us: 819-994-0218

Thank you for your support, I will keep you updated on developments of the CRTC proceedings.

In Solidarity,

Randy Kitt

Unifor79M President/

Unifor Media Chairperson

www.unifor79m.ca

Broadcasting Notice of Invitation CRTC 2013-563

Unifor Calls on CRTC to Reject Bell Media's Plea to Reduce Local Programming

2013-11-06

Unifor, Canada's largest media union, is calling on the CRTC to unequivocally reject Bell Media's application to circumvent their license obligations to provide local news and programming.

"If the CRTC bends to Bell Media's pressure, we fear it could be the beginning of the end of local news and programming as we know it in Canadian television," said Unifor Media Sector Director Howard Law. "Bell Media has asked previously for an averaging formula, and it was rejected. They are persistent in their pressure, but the CRTC must be equally strong and consistent in enforcing Bell Media-CTV's license commitments."

The application by Bell Media-CTV asks the CRTC to amend their license requirements to "average" local programming hours over three month periods, providing the possibility of reducing or abandoning altogether regular weekly programming.

"Canadians expect that local programming will be consistent, reliable and broadcast by Canadians for Canadians," said Unifor Media Council Chairperson Randy Kitt. Kitt is the president of Unifor 79M, repre0senting CTV employees.

"Bell has not explained how local communities will benefit from either random or scheduled periods of reduced local television programming," Unifor argued to the CRTC. "A review of Bell's program logs indicate that its stations produce very little non-news local programming - meaning that the main effect of Bell's proposal would be to reduce the level of regularly scheduled local news available to communities. The CRTC should not approve applications whose effect will be to reduce the news on which people rely for information about their communities."

Unifor's submission to the CRTC, including the executive summary, can be read by clicking this link: http://www.unifor.org/sites/default/files/attachments/unifor_submission_bnoc_2013-529_5_nov_2013.pdf or paste in your browser.

"AS POSTED ON BROADCASTERMAGAZINE.COM"

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s new budget implementation bill puts workers’ lives at risk and we need your help now to stop it.

Buried deep in the 308 pages his finance minister just tabled are amendments to the Canada Labour Code that would make the federal health and safety law on the right to refuse dangerous work the weakest in the country and endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers.

Bill C-4 will weaken the existing right of workers to refuse dangerous work. Exposure to hazardous substances likely to result in a chronic illness, disease, or damage to the reproductive system will no longer be a valid reason for a worker to invoke the right to refuse dangerous work.

Imagine, knowing what we know about asbestos exposure, that a federal worker would now be unable to refuse dangerous work if his employer told him to remove asbestos from a workplace without proper safety gear?

Imagine, knowing what we know today about the impact of certain chemicals on women’s reproductive health, that a worker would no longer have the right to refuse dangerous if her employer gave her work that exposed her to those chemicals?

Conservative proposals would make the Canada Labour Code the only health and safety laws in the country that would make it legal for an employer to discipline a worker who refuses dangerous work. It’s a dangerous precedent that must be stopped now!

You can help stop this now! Let your MP know what you think about the Harper government’s move to endanger the lives of workers. Email your MP now