Freelancer-related highlights of the CMG’s tentative agreement with CBC

February 23, 2019 Editor News cmgcmg freelancefreelance contractsnews

The Canadian Media Guild's bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement with the CBC earlier this month. Highlights of the tentative agreement as it relates to freelancers are as follows:

The proposed agreement will provide more clarity to distinguish between the various types of freelance engagements. The CMG will have access to additional contact information for freelancers to improve communication about their rights. As well, we negotiated freelance rate increases in line with the across-the-board wage increases for other members.

You can find more information about the CMG's tentative agreement with CBC on the CMG website.

If you have any questions about the contracts you've been given for your freelance work at CBC, you can email CMG Freelance president Don Genova anytime at freelance@cmg.ca.

Public Lending Right Program’s 2019 registration period now open

February 21, 2019 Editor News advicefreelance compensationgetting paidplrpublic lending right program

If you're a Canadian author, illustrator or photographer with one or more published books, it's time to register for the Public Lending Right Program. The program is a Canada Council for the Arts initiative that sends payments every year to creators whose books are in Canadian public libraries.This year's registration period runs until May 1,…

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 12-19

February 19, 2019 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Bail out journalists, not their bosses [J-Source] Workers at BuzzFeed declare intention to unionize [Globe and Mail] BuzzFeed Canada staff file…

Audio rate card survey aims to empower freelance producers

February 14, 2019 Editor News audiocbc freelancersfreelance compensationnewsradio freelancing

If you do freelance audio production work, you're invited to contribute to the creation of a rate card for Canadian audio producers.Freelance producers Michelle Macklem, Aliya Pabani, Jess Shane, and Kalli Anderson are running a survey of freelance audio production rates in an effort to gain a better understanding of how much producers are charging…

SABEW Canada’s 2018 Best in Business Awards are open for submissions

February 12, 2019 Editor News awardsbest in business awardsfreelance awardssabew canada

Freelance business writers, it's time to apply for the SABEW Canada Best in Business awards. Submissions opened this week for the 5th annual awards program, which covers work published, broadcast and posted during the 2018 calendar year.There are 15 categories for this year's awards, including new categories for outstanding achievement, best…

BuzzFeed Canada staff file to unionize

February 12, 2019 Editor News buzzfeedcmgunion organizing

TORONTO – Canadian staff at digital media company BuzzFeed have officially filed for union certification.The Canadian Media Guild (CMG), media union CWA Canada’s biggest local, is filing with the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Canada Industrial Relations Board after a majority of the 10 BuzzFeed staff in Toronto signed union cards.The…

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Feb 5-11

February 11, 2019 Editor News freelance newsnewsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Let's talk about rates, baby! [PWAC Toronto] More devastating cuts at The Canadian Press [CMG] Torontoist has been acquired by Daily Hive…

Next CBC Doc Makers deadline March 5

February 06, 2019 Editor Event audiocbcdoc makerseventradio freelancingthe doc project

Audio freelancers, the next deadline for CBC Radio's Doc Makers mentorship program is March 5. There are three programs accepting applications: the Doc Mentorship Program, the Current's Advanced Doc Maker Program and the Emerging Indigenous Doc Maker Program.CBC employees, temps, and experienced Canadian audio freelancers are invited to pitch…

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Jan 29-Feb 4

February 04, 2019 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: The new partisan press [The Signal] Applications open for workplace mental health reporting awards [J-Source] VICE Canada workers face job cuts…