The Canadian Media Guild and CBC have agreed to an across-the-board wage increase of 1.5% for 2018-19. This increase is also applicable to all the minimum rates applicable to Freelance Contributors.

The increase is effective April 1st, 2018 and the new rates are posted in a downloadable Excel file on the CMG Freelance website along with other tips for CBC freelancers.

One notable rate increase is not based on the 1.5%. The minimum rate for Text Contributions jumps to 60 cents a word from 55 cents a word, where it had sat for the past 2 years. The increase comes as a result of the 2013 contract settlement which doesn’t expire until 2019, but the two sides agreed to a "wage re-opener" for each year of the contract.

“All freelancers should examine their newest contracts (April 1st or later) to make sure that the increase has been applied,” says Don Genova, CMG Freelance President. “Also, if you’re a regular contributor being paid over-scale, your base rate should go up 1.5% and your over-scale amount should remain the same, it shouldn’t be reduced as a result of the base improvement.”

Remember, the posted rates are ‘minimums’. Freelancers can negotiate rates over the minimums, which is usually easier to do with network shows with larger budgets.

Also, if you are hired on a ‘Freelance Specific Services’ contract, your rate is based on what a CBC employee would make for doing the same work. Make sure the money you’re offered fits in with the new rates being paid to employees.

If you have any questions about the increase and how it should be applied, contact CMG Freelance branch president Don at freelance@cmg.ca.