CEP255G

NORTH AMERICIAN NEWSPAPER CONFERENCE

 

The 54th Annual North Americian Conference was held in Scottsdale, Arizona from May 23 – 26, 2010.There were 54 delegates representing 28 Locals from Canada and United States. Also in attendance were 51 guests who included CEP members from Local 191G Winnipeg, Local 2000 Vancouver and our own Local Representatives, Ron Bron, Glenn Turner and Ray Wade from Local 255G Edmonton.

 

The attendees at this Conference represent some of the largest Newspapers in the largest cities in the United States and Canada: The Daily News and Newsday Inc. in New York, The Boston Globe, and The LA Times in the U.S. The Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, Winnipeg Free Press and The Edmonton Journal.

 

The Newspaper Caucus was chaired by John Hefferman of New York, and Local delegates were encouraged to give their reports. For the most part the news was not good; newspapers are under increasing pressure from the electronic media and the move away from the printed word, in fact it was reported that 100 newspapers had gone strictly electronic in the last two years. The resulting loss in circulation and in turn profitability has caused Newspaper Owners’ to look towards our collective agreements requesting concessions to make up this short fall. It was reported by Joe Molinero of the General Board of the need to work with, and help these Companies; provided they are prepared to show us their books so as to confirm that they are losing money. As one delegate commented “it’s no use having the best contract in the country if the company folds”. That said, Nick Caruso, a staff representative, said we must continue to fight these cutbacks and not give in just because the companies say they need them, we must demand they show us why they need the cuts, not just because they say so.

 

The newspaper business is suffering, it appears more so in the United States than here in Canada, but despite this the delegates felt there is still a place for a printed product in the news industry, it may take some time to sort out a balance between digital and print but they felt confident we will be around for many years to come. We must remain committed to work together, keep the lines of communication open, and continue participation in Conferences such as this one so as to be prepared to handle the rapidly changing face of our industry.

 

 

CEP Western Region Health and Safety Conference

 

As a representative of the Health & Safety Committee of the CEP Local 255G Union, I attended the two day Health & Safety Conference held in Vancouver on May 12 and 13, 2010.

 

On the first day, presentations were held on Leadership Training Facilitation, Inspiring Leadership at Work and Peer to Peer Intervention.

 

In-depth discussion topics included Conflict between workers, Personal problems such as alcoholism and drug abuse, Stress related issues, Dealing with changes and Responses to troubled employees.

 

On the second day, there was a presentation on Cancer, Environmental exposure and the cancer smart guide to breast cancer prevention. This was followed by the legal view of the Duty to Accommodate. The business of duty to accommodate included practical advice for Union officials and stewards, the rights and responsibilities of Employers and the employee’s duty to assist.

 

Printed information materials and brochures are available for reading at the Local Union office.

 

Roy Simmons