Torstar makes tentative agreement with union over digital journalists

TORONTO – Torstar Corp. (TSX:TS.B) has struck a tentative agreement with the union that represents journalists at the Toronto Star over the classification of new digital journalist jobs.

Unifor said Monday in a bulletin to members at Torstar that the compromise allows the company to “experiment” with its digital strategy until the expiry of the existing contract at the end of 2016.

The most recent digital job postings will be considered temporary positions with lower paying starting wages for the duration of the agreement, the union said.

The deal provides a short-term resolution to concerns expressed by Toronto Star reporters over a proposed two-tiered status separating online reporters from the rest of the company’s journalists.

“Strategically we just thought it was a better idea to create a temporary arrangement that will last for the duration of the contract,” said Liz Marzari, a representative for the Star at Unifor Local 87-M, in an interview.

“It’s not a perfect deal, but it’s a compromised deal.”

As part of the agreement, existing staff in editorial staff will have the opportunity to move into the digital jobs as part of “bumping rights.”

A working committee of newsroom staff, management and employees from Torstar’s digital operations will create a committee to focus on the company’s digital capabilities and training, Marzari said.

Meanwhile, Torstar will withdraw digital reporter job postings and any new reporters will join the editorial department.