Previously non-unionized workers at Aboriginal Peoples Television Network have filed to join the Canadian Media Guild.
The union filed with the Canada Industrial Relations Board on Thursday after a majority of more than 60 staff signed union cards. These workers are based across the country with the main office in Manitoba.
“By coming together, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our wellbeing, and create a sustainable future for the people who make APTN possible,” the workers said in their mission statement.
“As a community, we believe every employee deserves healthy and safe working conditions, guidance and support from their managers, the trust and independence to do their best work, and most importantly flexibility to care for their families and communities.”
The Canadian Media Guild already represents a majority of the workers at APTN and is pleased to welcome these others who organized themselves with guidance from CWA Canada organizers and CMG staff representatives.
“We are happy to welcome these talented and determined media workers into the union. They put in so much time and effort to organize themselves around shared issues in the workplace,” said Jane Robertson, national president of the CMG. “When people do that work to organize, they create lasting change for themselves and those who follow.”
The CMG will await the decision of the Industrial Relations Board over the coming weeks as we work to welcome more members at APTN.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is a national Indigenous media organization, sharing programming that celebrates the rich diversity of Indigenous Peoples at home and abroad.
The Canadian Media Guild is a represents 6,000 workers in the Canadian media. Members work at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Société Radio-Canada (CBC/SRC), The Canadian Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP), TVO, TFO, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), ZoomerMedia and CKOI Radio Gatineau (Québec).
