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Vice Canada staff set to unionise days after UK bosses rejected push by employees Vice Canada staff set to unionise days after UK employees snubbed
(35 minutes later)
Staff working for the media company Vice in Canada are on the brink of achieving union recognition and a “better life” for digital workers, days after management rejected and highly criticised a push by employees in the UK.Staff working for the media company Vice in Canada are on the brink of achieving union recognition and a “better life” for digital workers, days after management rejected and highly criticised a push by employees in the UK.
Trade union the Canadian Media Guild says that a “strong majority” of employees has signed up for unionisation and will now officially push ahead with representing Vice staff.Trade union the Canadian Media Guild says that a “strong majority” of employees has signed up for unionisation and will now officially push ahead with representing Vice staff.
Under Canadian law, the CMG has applied to the the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), to represent staff and must now prove 40% of Vice employees have signed up for unionisation.Under Canadian law, the CMG has applied to the the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), to represent staff and must now prove 40% of Vice employees have signed up for unionisation.
“A strong majority of employees at Vice across Canada have signed a union card and we are delighted to welcome them into our union,” says Carmel Smyth, national president of the CMG. “We look forward to supporting them to find their collective voice in the workplace and to negotiate the kinds of progressive working conditions and benefits that digital media workers expect in 2016.”“A strong majority of employees at Vice across Canada have signed a union card and we are delighted to welcome them into our union,” says Carmel Smyth, national president of the CMG. “We look forward to supporting them to find their collective voice in the workplace and to negotiate the kinds of progressive working conditions and benefits that digital media workers expect in 2016.”
The push to the brink of success by Canadian staff is in stark contrast to attempts in the UK, which were soundly rejected by management on Wednesday.The push to the brink of success by Canadian staff is in stark contrast to attempts in the UK, which were soundly rejected by management on Wednesday.
Vice UK management criticised the National Union of Journalists for a “lack of transparency” over staff representation and accusing it of being set up to work with “old print media businesses” and not an “innovative, digital workplace”.Vice UK management criticised the National Union of Journalists for a “lack of transparency” over staff representation and accusing it of being set up to work with “old print media businesses” and not an “innovative, digital workplace”.
Matt Elek, Vice’s EMEA chief, instead offered setting up an internal staff council. The NUJ struck back, calling the council an “old-fashioned union-busting ruse”.Matt Elek, Vice’s EMEA chief, instead offered setting up an internal staff council. The NUJ struck back, calling the council an “old-fashioned union-busting ruse”.
In contrast, staff at Vice Canada, who have been attempting to form a union since last year, are close to joining a number of North American digital operations to achieve unionisation including Huffington Post, Gawker, Salon and the Guardian.In contrast, staff at Vice Canada, who have been attempting to form a union since last year, are close to joining a number of North American digital operations to achieve unionisation including Huffington Post, Gawker, Salon and the Guardian.
The last step for Vice’s Canadian staff is the CIRB holding a ballot with staff to confirm their right to form a union. Martin O’Hanlon, president of CWA Canada, the parent of the CMG union, called it a “tremendous day for digital media workers in Canada”.The last step for Vice’s Canadian staff is the CIRB holding a ballot with staff to confirm their right to form a union. Martin O’Hanlon, president of CWA Canada, the parent of the CMG union, called it a “tremendous day for digital media workers in Canada”.
“We’ve heard from creative and digital media workers that they want fair pay, benefits, and sustainable working conditions,” said O’Hanlon. “The decision by Vice Canada staff to unionize is a first step to a better life for them, and it is a beacon for others to follow.”“We’ve heard from creative and digital media workers that they want fair pay, benefits, and sustainable working conditions,” said O’Hanlon. “The decision by Vice Canada staff to unionize is a first step to a better life for them, and it is a beacon for others to follow.”
Vice US staff achieved unionisation last year and earlier this month reached a union agreement including a 29% pay increase over three years.Vice US staff achieved unionisation last year and earlier this month reached a union agreement including a 29% pay increase over three years.