Do you freelance for CBC? Have your say!

July 02, 2013 Editor News cbccmgcollective bargaining

The Canadian Media Guild is starting negotiations for a new collective agreement. Every time they go to the table, the Guild wants to make sure it's addressing the concerns of its members -- and that includes freelancers. If you freelance for CBC, they want your input.

Take a minute to fill out the CMG survey and let them know what's important to you. Freelancers start the survey at Question #11 -- there are only three questions for us, but there's also space for additional questions or comments. Don't delay, the survey closes this Friday, July 5th.

Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer June 25-July 2

July 02, 2013 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler? From Canada: Why MBA-bound Johnny can’t write [Globe and Mail] (via @LuigiBenetton) Justin Trudeau worried about unpaid internships, argues for…

The Born Freelancer on the Art of Collaboration, Pt 3

June 28, 2013 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancercollaboration

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments. Several months ago I wrote about the art of collaborative partnerships (Part One is here; Part Two is here). It seems to be a topic of…

Striking Saint John 7 hit one-year anniversary

June 25, 2013 Editor News cmgcompensationmbs radiosaint john 7trouble spots

Today is a big day for the Saint John 7. One year ago -- on June 25, 2012 -- the seven radio employees began their strike against the Halifax-based Maritime Broadcasting System after trying for almost a year to negotiate a fair wage.Lise Lareau, National Vice-President of the Canadian Media Guild, wrote a post about the MBS employees on the CMG…

Traits of a successful freelancer. Have you got what it takes?

June 21, 2013 Editor Advice advicefreelance lifepitching

by Lesley Evans Ogden[caption id="attachment_6805" align="alignright" width="326"] Aschwanden and colleague in front of Mt. Lamborn, in Paonia, Colorado.[/caption]In May I had the good fortune of spending a week at the Santa Fe Science Writer's Workshop. There I joined a class of 52 students whose minds were expanded by learning from top American…

CMG Freelance Branch investigates call for submissions

June 20, 2013 Editor Compensation cbccmgtrouble spots

Regular freelance contributors to CBC Radio's DNTO program received an email a couple of weeks ago from DNTO on behalf of a new summer radio program called, 'How To Do It'. It was a call for submissions which included these paragraphs: "We're looking for 3-5 minute anecdotes that you're willing to share on the radio.The bad news? We can't pay…

Freelancers object to Transcontinental’s Best Corporate Citizen ranking

June 19, 2013 Editor News ajiqtc mediatranscontinentaltrouble spots

What are the qualities of a good corporate citizen?Is a good employer concerned with its impact on the environment? Does a good employer offer benefits and programs to its employees beyond those it is legally required to provide? Is a good corporate citizen concerned with the fair treatment of its contractors?These are the kinds of questions…

Google+ for writers

June 14, 2013 Editor News advicegooglemarketing yourselfsocial media

So I’ve been thinking a lot about Google+ lately. I’m not happy about this. It’s a site I’ve been trying to ignore for two years now. I mean I’m barely keeping up with Twitter, and my LinkedIn page is a poor, stunted thing. Do I really need another social media site to neglect?But last month I ran across this post.It seems that, as a…

CMG seeking Freelance Branch executive

June 12, 2013 Editor News cmgfreelance branch

The Canadian Media Guild's Freelance Branch is looking for someone in the GTA to join their branch executive this month.This is a volunteer position, but wage replacement, travel and per diems are covered when you're on official Guild business.This position will give you a chance to help other freelancers in your area with contract questions,…

James Moore responds to CMG’s letter about TC Media funding

June 11, 2013 Editor News cmgfreelance contractsjames mooretc mediatranscontinental mediatrouble spots

The Canadian Media Guild has received a reply to a letter they sent to the Minister of Canadian Heritage last month regarding financial assistance given to TC Media through the Canada Periodical Fund. The CMG expressed concerns about the TC Media funding in light of the new contract the publisher tried to impose on freelancers earlier this year…