Quebecor strikes back
Canadian publisher Quebecor (Journal de Québec) issued a press release on the lock-out at the newspaper that started more than a year ago (see previous post). According to Quebecor, circulation, readership and advertising income are declining which makes it necessary to take measures at the Journal de Québec.
Employees at Journal de Québec were paid generously according to the publisher. A yearly income between Can$ 83,000 and 100,000 was normal, employees at the Toronto Sun got at least $12,000 less.
Also holidays were much better than average. 6 weeks to start with, but because of all kinds of special arrangements, employees work only 40 weeks a year. These weeks count 4 days (32 hours per week).
The publisher proposed working weeks of 37.5 hours, more cooperation between papers of the publisher, website work for journalists as well, and journalists taking their own photos occasionally.
The lock-out concerned 69 journalists and 68 administrative staff members after 97% of the staff voted in favor of a general strike. After the lock-out the staff started their own free daily MediaMatinQuebec. (CNW Telbec)
June 24th, 2008 at 10:19 am
[...] The move is said to be inspired by the already 15-month old free daily MediaMatin Quebec, published by the locked out workers of Quebecor’s daily Journal de Quebec (see previous post I & II). [...]
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
[...] Negotiations between Canadian publisher Quebecor and trade unions are progressing, indicating that there could be an end to the 14 month labor conflict and lock-out at Le Journal de Quebec (see previous post). [...]