Canada’s meeting place for freelance writers and creators

Established 2010

The Vice Canada union campaign reached an important milestone last week -- the Canadian Media Guild filed for certification with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. The labour board now needs to confirm that the union has support from at least 40% of employees. After that, the board will call for a vote.

Employees who haven't yet signed a union card can still do so at right here.

And Vice freelancers can also be part of the unionization efforts. CMG organizer Karen Wirsig recently told Story Board that she wants to hear from freelancers about their experiences with Vice. She said that once the campaign reaches the collective bargaining phase, the CMG will aim to bargain some improvements for freelancers into the contract -- including clauses related to prompt and fair payment.

If you'd like more information or would like to speak to Wirsig in confidence, you can call her at 416-578-1651 or reach her by email at karen@cmg.ca.

On January 23rd of this year, the 61 members of the Halifax Typographical Union’s newsroom unit went on strike for a fair deal from the Halifax Chronicle Herald newspaper. While the picket lines remain up, the members still wanted to tell stories, take photos, and keep Nova Scotians informed of news that matters to them. They formed an…
by Don Genova, CMG Freelance PresidentOpen up my literal freelancer’s writer-broadcaster toolbox and you’ll find microphones, digital and analog recorders, umpteen cables and adapters, a couple of different cameras, a bunch of notebooks and various pens and pencils. But open up my figurative toolbox and you’ll find tools needed for my…
Media workers meet in Halifax to discuss worker’s rights [caption id="attachment_11708" align="alignright" width="319"] Sandra Phinney speaks at the Selling Your Stories workshop[/caption]By Rebecca Hussman CMG Freelance and CWA Canada hosted an event for media workers at The Company House in Halifax last week, focusing on workers’ rights and…
If you’re a regular freelancer for Vice Canada, the Canadian Media Guild would like to hear about your experiences and working conditions.CMG organizer Karen Wirsig is involved in the Vice Canada unionizing drive that began late last year. She says Vice employees have told her they're concerned about how freelancers are treated by the…
By Errol SalamonThis post is the second in a series called “E-Lancer Writes,” exploring the working conditions, rights, and collective organizing strategies of freelance journalists, interns, and other low-wage or temporary digital media workers. Workers at Vice Media are leading efforts to unionize digital media workplaces. These efforts have…
There are a couple of great events coming up next month for freelancers and media students in Halifax. CMG Freelance and CWA Associate Members have two days of training and mentorship planned for March 1 and 2. Come out to an evening of training, mentorship and socializing on March 1st at The Company House (2202 Gottingen Street Halifax) from…
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"] Sunny Widerman of Personal Tax Advisors[/caption]Tax season is approaching, freelancers. If that thought makes you sweat, we've got an upcoming webinar for members that's sure to take some of the stress out of the bookkeeping side of your business.CMG Freelance and CWA Associate Members are invited…
The Freelance Branch of the Canadian Media Guild will now offer a media card, available to its journalist members. “We’ve heard from our members that having a media card may make it easier for them to gain access to events or interviews, and provide a ‘calling card’ that asserts they are qualified freelance journalists,” says Don Genova,…
by Rachel SandersSandra Phinney knows exactly how difficult it is to negotiate with the owners of the Halifax Chronicle Herald. The Yarmouth-based freelance writer was offered a harsh contract by the company several years ago.“It was all-rights-grabbing. Including moral rights. And we would be liable if a reader had sued the paper. The onus…

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