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Union response to Metroland layoffs(Canada Newswire English Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Attention News Editors TORONTO, Feb. 23 /CNW/ - The foundation of our democracy is being steadily eroded with yet another announcement of layoffs at a newspaper chain, says Brad Honywill, president of the Local union representing unionized newspaper employees in Ontario. Today, the Metroland Media Group of Torstar announced the elimination of 64 full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions at three newspapers serving southern Ontario, including 30 FTE's at the Hamilton Spectator, 21 at the Waterloo Region Record and 13 at the Guelph Mercury. "Combined with the number of employees who recently took voluntary severance packages at Metroland, this represents a major cut to news operations serving readers in southern Ontario," said Honywill, president of Local 87-M of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP). "That inevitably affects the quality of news gathering that takes place at our newspapers, and that affects the ability of our citizens to be educated on what's happening in our communities and, consequently, the health of our democracy." "This is an extremely sad day for the union at The Hamilton Spectator," said Paul Morse, CEP Local 87-M unit chair. "Despite voluntary short term sacrifices to try to save jobs, these layoffs will cut deeply into a newspaper that has always provided highest-quality journalism." "This is the worse layoff in Record history, extending back more than 100 years," said unit chair Rob Reid. "The newspaper industry is in economic turmoil as the North American financial crisis continues to spiral out of control. "Like it or not, the Record is a diminished newspaper as a result of the staff reductions that come on the heels of voluntary buyouts and other cost-cutting efficiencies." Since the term "full-time-equivalent" includes the combination of full-time and part-time hours to arrive at a number that is equivalent to the hours of full-time positions, the number of people losing their jobs is actually about 20% higher. Today's announcement follows the announcement by the Globe and Mail three weeks ago that it was eliminating almost 90 jobs and Sun Media's announcement in December that it was eliminating 10% of its workforce, including about 50 jobs at the Toronto Sun. Smaller newspapers across the province were also hit hard in that announcement. Paul Morse, Hamilton Spectator Unit Chair, W: (905) 526-3434; Rob Reid, Waterloo Record Unit Chair, W: (519) 894-2231, ext 2634; Greg Rothwell, Guelph Mercury Unit Chair, H: (519) 653-4068; Brad Honywill, President CEP Local 87-M (SONG), C: (905) 334-9259 Copyright ? 2009 Canada Newswire Ltd. All Rights Reserved. |