CRAFT Journal Lockout

Jan 23 2011 16:33:00 - Source: LAB [The Canadian Press]

CRAFT Journal Lockout
MONTREAL - This Monday, employees at Quebec's largest tabloid
newspaper will mark the two-year anniversary of what's thought to be
the longest work stoppage by journalists in Canadian history.

The lockout at Le Journal de Montreal involves 253 workers.

Union president Raynald Leblanc says the lengthy dispute has been
difficult for workers, and has taken a toll on their personal lives.

He says the creation of the union's online newspaper Rue
Frontenac, which also publishes a weekly print edition, has helped
maintain worker morale.

Le Journal's owner, media giant Quebecor, declined to comment on
the anniversary, saying it could jeopardize the possibility of a
settlement.

Negotiations between Quebecor and the union resumed on Wednesday
after stopping in October when employees rejected an offer by a vote
of 89 per cent.

At that time, Quebecor had offered to bring back only a small
fraction of the locked-out employees _ while, at the same time,
chopping most of the jobs.

Barely one-tenth of the jobs would have been saved while buyouts
would have been offered to other employees.

Le Journal hasn't missed a day of publication since the lockout
began on Jan. 24, 2009, relying on replacement workers to produce
the newspaper.

A benefit concert has been organized for the unionized workers in
Montreal on Monday night, to raise money and mark the anniversary of
the lockout.

(The Canadian Press)