Managing decline involves making choices, underlines the Union of Radio-Canada Workers.
“We cannot ask everyone to do as much in a situation of decline as in a situation of growth. Choices will have to be made. And I didn’t hear that on Wednesday,” said the union president, Pierre Tousignant.
On Wednesday, the state-owned company announced that it was immediately suspending the creation of new positions, with some exceptions, in order to reduce the financial pressure to which it is subject. CBC/Radio-Canada is facing a $100 million annual shortfall due to inflation, labor shortages, higher spending than before the COVID-19 pandemic and savings requested by the federal government.
The employees received the news with perplexity (“we’ll see what happens”), but also with relief, notes Pierre Tousignant. There is no question of layoffs or cutbacks plans. “There continues to be hiring,” recalls Mr. Tousignant. As recently as Wednesday, editorial secretary positions were filled in Rimouski. »
“As for us, the issue will be at two levels. The real danger is that in a team, we create conditions of work overload, says Pierre Tousignant. The other element is that we consider that Radio-Canada must question itself about the choices it makes. »
According to the union, the pace of production has accelerated in most job titles in recent years. This is the case for administrative staff, notes Pierre Tousignant, and it is the case for journalists and camera operators, particularly those in the regions, who sometimes have to feed TV, radio and social networks at the same time.
“The speech I heard from management is that we want to continue to do everything and reach our audiences where they are. I’m willing, but what means do we have to do it, and how are we going to do it? »