CEP + CAW = New Union?
January 6, 2012
This is actually rocket science!
Obviously, one of the big stories from the past month is this announcement of merger discussions between CEP and CAW. For many within our union this is already a familiar conversation. This conversation has been going on for many years dating back to the birth of CEP in 1992.
Many stories were written about this in the slow news cycle in mid-December and in many of them, the CAW was mentioned first in the headline. As a CEP member I think it is important (no matter what the outcome) to analyze why the CAW has higher name recognition when the CEP is the union that represents the majority of media workers in this country.
I agree with the analysis provided in the article. “Union president Dave Coles said the biggest issue facing CEP and CAW in any merger would be blending their “cultures.” CEP is a more decentralized union with strong local autonomy while the CAW is more centralized, he noted.”
I thought it illuminating that the Steelworkers were also quoted. In many ways, from a cultural perspective, Steel is a better fit with us but I don’t believe any of our members would wish to return to an international union.
Mid-December the CRTC confirmed a review of the Local Program Initiative Fund which has saved a number of local broadcast stations like CHCH in Hamilton and CHEK in Victoria, both members of my CEP Media One Local. This funding was the direct result of the CEP lobbying the CRTC with a positive solution as the conglomerates tried to close down small market stations. Now the CBC story reports ad revenues increased by nine per cent last year.
The other thing that keeps going up is executive compensation, especially with my employer! Even the right wing conservative commentators are starting to say it is too much and needs to be scaled back to a reasonable level.
These are my favourite pictures of the week and I thought this article was a great way to start the New Year!
