Bylines missing from Globe and Mail as contract deadline looms

The Globe and Mail's headquarters in Toronto. Photo: Getty Images/ Simon Hayter

Bylines were missing from both the online and print editions of the Globe and Mail Monday as contract negotiations carry on.

The 24-hour byline strike comes as the paper and the union representing its newsroom workers negotiate a new contract. Earlier this month, 97 per cent of the 350 unionized newsroom staff members voted in favour of a walkout if a deal is not reached by deadline.

“As part of the collective bargaining process with the union representing many of the Globe’s editorial, advertising and circulation staff, unionized editorial staff have exercised their right under the current collective agreement to withhold their bylines,” said note from the publisher in the print edition.

“We remain optimistic that we will achieve a fair and negotiated collective agreement in the near future, and we thank you for your continued patience and support.”

According to a statement from the union, Unifor Local 87-M, there is a “final” offer from the Globe on the table to be voted on this Wednesday, but the bargaining committee has recommended rejection.

“It contains substantial weakening of job security language, a significant cut to base pay for some advertising sales representatives, and a requirement that editorial staff — save reporters — work on advertorial copy,” said a statement from Unifor.

A main sticking point for the union is a proposal from the Globe that editorial workers will be assigned content paid for by advertisers as part of their regular duties. Staff are also reportedly upset over the paper’s endorsement of the Progressive Conservatives in the recent Ontario provincial election. According to a report from CANADALAND, recently-hired editor-in-chief David Walmsley went against the wishes of the editorial board to make the endorsement.

Editorial staff at the Toronto Star, also represented by Unifor, staged their own byline strike in March in protest of labour practices at the publication. Among other issues, the Star had announced plans to hire a secondary tier of digital reporters at a lower rate than their print-based peers.