|
It's time for the Canadian Freelance Union! |
| Print |
|
E-mail
|
The CEP, Canada's Media Union, has committed the resources necessary to
create a national local for independent contractors working in the news
media and public relations industries.
But that is only the first step in the creation of successful union for
news media freelancers and other communication professionals.
The essential ingredient for an effective union is a large, active membership. In other words, you are the union.
What does this mean in practical terms? How do we plan to go about building our new local union?
First, through this website, public meetings and news stories we hope
to attract at least 400 of you to pay $25 as an initiation fee that
will go towards the founding convention of the new Canadian Freelance Union.
Once 400 people have paid $25 we will call for nominations to elect 10
delegates to a founding conference of the new local union. The
initiation fees will pay for the transport and accommodation of the 10
delegates so that they can meet, discuss and write bylaws for the new
organization.
If we cannot attract 400 people willing to pay $25, all money will be refunded.
Together with representatives from the CEP Media Council delegates at
the founding convention will formalize the structure of the new local union, setting
membership dues etc. The exact shape of the union will be
created at this point.
All those who paid $25 will be able to deduct that amount from the first year’s dues.
Once the new local union has been created there will be an election for
officers. The officers together with the general membership will
determine the priorities of the union.
It is anticipated that the following will be among the priorities:
Updating of the CEP Media Freelance website to include a "virtual" hiring hall.
Together with existing CEP media locals use the instructional resources
of the union (including computer labs in Vancouver and Toronto) to
offer courses to be taught by people in the business. For example a
layout editor at the Vancouver Sun (and CEP member) might teach a
course on Quark Express or a graphics designer at the Glove and Mail
might teach a course on the effective use of Illustrator.
Lobbying of federal and provincial governments to update labour
legislation to reflect the needs of growing numbers of independent
contractors in the news media and other industries.
An organizing campaign to sign "voluntary recognition" contracts with
publications, websites, unions, political organizations, government
agencies, etc.
Building on the "voluntary recognition" contracts and resulting
enlarged membership to illustrate the benefits of the union in a fresh
campaign to attract new members.
Sign more and better contracts with a variety of corporations, governments and other organizations.
Create a benefit plan.
|
