It's not for everyone

Just before Labour Day CMG President Lise Lareau warned us to "Expect CBC management to try to divide us, by playing to us as individuals, in order to get what it wants. " So the sudden appearance, on blogs and message boards, of anonymous people claiming to be freelancers and contract employees and pulling out lines from management's talking points is certainly suspicious. These people have been lamenting their position and the CMG's apparent prejudice against them.

Now, I haven't donned my tinfoil hat on this one. The reality is that it doesn't matter. Even if we assume that they are who they say, it is nothing more than a display of their ignorance. If they think that CMG, or anyone at the CBC is calling for an end to all freelancers and contract workers then they haven't been listening to the union, haven't been listening to union members, haven't been on the line and generally haven't been paying attention.

No one is saying that there should be no temporary or contract workers. But, what may be 'the freedom of a contract' to one person is the 'unacceptable lack of job security' to another. It all depends on where you are at. Some people don't want to bounce from job to job. They are ready and willing to make a long term commitment to public broadcasting and to the CBC and want a commitment in return (ever try to get a mortgage on a short-term contract?)

Myself: I am in my 3rd year as a casual. I'd love nothing more than to be full time CBC, in any capacity - not only because I have children and would like the stability, but because I have tremendous respect for the CBC, and the people that work there. Of all the employers in Canada, I would still choose the CBC. This is not based on it's current (or recent) problems, but on the history, tradition and mandate of the CBC, it's future potential and the potential of the people I know there.

So, if you really are a freelancer, or a contract worker and you really feel threatened by what the Guild is saying and doing - go down to the line, talk to some people, listen to what is actually being said and then see if you still think we are after you.