Solidarity call from Canada

Union members at broadcaster CBC have called for help after being locked out.

More than 1,600 members of the Communications, Energy and Paper Union were barred from their workplaces today at 0600 GMT.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation hired security guards to remove union members only hours after they began a boycott of long days, and held manadatory meetings, in protest at plans to cut their terms and conditions.

Union officials have now called for support from Union Network International (UNI), the global union body that BECTU belongs to.

Talks on a new collective agreement had collapsed earlier in the week, with CBC insisting on changes which would reduce earnings by 7.5% - a saving of C$6m over two years.

Among the cuts that management plan are a reduction of premium payments for work on off-duty days, abolition of a 12 hour break between shifts, an end to 1 hour meal breaks, and no minimum terms for freelancers.

Negotiations began in March, well in advance of the June 30 deadline when the old collective agreement expired. Union and management took part in conciliation and mediation after the expiry date, but no agreement was reached, and members voted for strike action in November by an 86% majority.

CBC is expected to fill gaps in its schedules with material from other broadcasters, especially UK companies. BECTU members who are asked to work on new material for CBC are advised to contact the union on: 020 7437 8506.