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New union offers unlimited possibilities |
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An effective union for Canadian independent journalists and
communication professionals will have legal standing under federal
and/or provincial law and sufficient bargaining power to negotiate
minimum payments for work contracted by media, government, corporate,
union and other employers. (It is understood that members could
negotiate higher fees for service.)
The Canadian Freelance Union will also bargain over copyright and other issues of concern to its members.
It will lobby governments and represent members in various forums. At
the beginning the union will spend a significant proportion of its
energy presenting our concerns to various levels of government in order
to change the laws regarding collective bargaining rights of
independent contractors. For example, we could lobby to have current
Status of the Artist legislation applied to the news media and public
relations industries.
An effective union for Canadian independent journalists and
communication professionals will also provide members with benefits
through plan(s) that were at least partially subsidized by employers’
contributions.
The CFU will provide ongoing professional training and
advice regarding self-employment. It will hold conferences on matters
of concern to its members.
It will define and promote ethical and professional standards and provide press credentials to its working journalist members.
The union will maintain an on-line “hiring hall” where employers
come for services and where members advertise their specific
skills and experience.
The CFU will promote short-term and ongoing cooperative arrangements
among its members to perform larger jobs or projects where a variety of
skills were required.
The union will act as a buying agent for everything from supplies to hotel rooms to obtain best prices for members.
The CFU will provide various forums where freelancers can network
with each other and with people who have permanent jobs in the news
media and PR industries.
It will provide online forums for discussion on subjects of interest
to members. The point of a union is to bring individuals together in
one organization to promote our collective strength. This includes
learning from each other.
The CFU will be open to any and all ideas from its diverse
membership. An organization of creative individuals united in common
purpose will come up with exciting new ways to improve our industry.
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