Thursday, September 29, 2005
CBC 115: What do you mean by contract?
Contract (Merriam Webster online legal dictionary)
From my trusty, battered, dead tree Oxford Concise:
I have to wonder at this point if everyone involved in this has a different definition of the word "contract."
The question on the mailing list and in e-mails to me last was:"What about casuals?"
It's clear now that the CBC management offer does nothing for casuals and other temps. Yet, management seems to believe this is compromise, a step forward. They are sticking to their five per cent figure. In fact in this morning's Globe and Mail they give a figure to reporters Guy Dixon and Daniel Leblanc:
There are likely more than 180 casuals and temps working in the Toronto Broadcast Centre alone in any given 24-hour period, not counting the other plants right across the country. Add to that the real "freelancers" likely working from home.
Then read this in the transcript of Richard Stursberg's meeting with the lockedout folks in Vancouver , as questioned by Mark Forsythe (transcribed by Paul Grant and posted by Tod Maffin):
So are we dealing with two, three or a dozen definitions of "contract"?
If someone works as casual, even if there is no signed contract, the contract is implied. Seven or so hours work for so much money in exchange for writing copy or editing tape or whatever.
If Stursberg is correct on the 11 year figure, it seems that management is thinking only in terms of high profile on air or producing talent when it comes to the word contract.
Time to agree on a definition of what the word contract means.
Time to deal with the issue of casualization.
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CBClockout
10:38 AM posted by Robin Rowland
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Contract (Merriam Webster online legal dictionary)
Etymology: Latin contractus from contrahere to draw together, enter into (a relationship or agreement), from com- with, together + trahere to draw
1 : an agreement between two or more parties that creates in each party a duty to do or not do something and a right to performance of the other's duty or a remedy for the breach of the other's duty;"
From my trusty, battered, dead tree Oxford Concise:
1.Agreement between parties, states etc. business agreement for supply of goods or performance of work at a specified price; agreement enforceable by law.
I have to wonder at this point if everyone involved in this has a different definition of the word "contract."
The question on the mailing list and in e-mails to me last was:"What about casuals?"
It's clear now that the CBC management offer does nothing for casuals and other temps. Yet, management seems to believe this is compromise, a step forward. They are sticking to their five per cent figure. In fact in this morning's Globe and Mail they give a figure to reporters Guy Dixon and Daniel Leblanc:
Currently, the CBC has about 180 fixed-contract workers, not including other temporary and short-term positions.
There are likely more than 180 casuals and temps working in the Toronto Broadcast Centre alone in any given 24-hour period, not counting the other plants right across the country. Add to that the real "freelancers" likely working from home.
Then read this in the transcript of Richard Stursberg's meeting with the lockedout folks in Vancouver , as questioned by Mark Forsythe (transcribed by Paul Grant and posted by Tod Maffin):
MF: We're already at 30 per cent temporary and contract combined.
RS: No you're not and… but that's a different issue.
MF: But why is it a different issue?
RS: But your union has not raised the temporary thing. That's
not an issue for your union. The only issue they've raised is
contracts. And right now we're at about five per cent. The average
life of a person on contract is 11 years of service inside the CBC.
Anyhow, my only point is, I think that, like, I don't understand why
this has taken on, to your point, I don't understand why this has
turned into such a big thing. Apparently
So are we dealing with two, three or a dozen definitions of "contract"?
If someone works as casual, even if there is no signed contract, the contract is implied. Seven or so hours work for so much money in exchange for writing copy or editing tape or whatever.
If Stursberg is correct on the 11 year figure, it seems that management is thinking only in terms of high profile on air or producing talent when it comes to the word contract.
Time to agree on a definition of what the word contract means.
Time to deal with the issue of casualization.
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journalism, CBC, blog, news, lockout,
CBClockout
10:38 AM posted by Robin Rowland
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