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May 29, 2009: Masthead Online on Respect & Remuneration
Masthead Online, one of the finest online resources for Canadian magazines, has posted about the recently released "Respect & Remuneration" report. The article features a brief summary to the report and its findings.
You can download Respect And Remuneration: Attitudes about Editorial Working Conditions in the Canadian Magazine Industry from PWAC's website here.
May 28, 2009: PWAC Releases In-Depth Study of Magazine Industry Working Conditions
The Professional Writers Association of Canada, in partnership with Magazines Canada and the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors, is pleased to announce the release of Respect And Remuneration: Attitudes about Editorial Working Conditions in the Canadian Magazine Industry. The report is the result of the Canadian Magazine Industry Task Force 2008 survey, an in-depth study of the magazine industry and those employed in it. Over 450 staff and freelance writers, editors and publishers were consulted.
"In order for the magazine industry to thrive, we need to identify its shortcomings and work together on arriving at solutions," said CSME President Bob Sexton. "This report is a great first step in that direction. It should be required reading for all editors, writers, publishers and those who care about the future of magazines in this country."
"The report gives us a solid basis for our next steps - solutions focused conversations," said Mark Jamison, Chief Executive Officer of Magazines Canada.
The findings of the report will serve as the basis for the next phase of the Magazine Industry Task Force's efforts, where key magazine industry stakeholders will gather for a series of round table meetings across Canada to work out a Best Standards and Practices agreement for the magazine publishing industry.
"We're all hoping that sitting down and coming to a mutual understanding of the issues facing the magazine business will prove valuable to all parties involved and help keep this important cultural industry vibrant," said David Johnston, PWAC Executive Director.
The report can be found online here and a limited number of hard copies are available, by request, through the PWAC National Office. Hard copies will also be available next week for MagNet attendees.
May 16, 2009: Notice of Settlement in the Robertson v. Thomson Class Action Suit
Last Saturday, The Globe and Mail and The National Post
published a "Notice of Hearing to Propose Settlement of Class
Proceeding Heather Robertson v. Thomson and Others." They will be
publishing an abbreviated version this weekend. If you missed the long
form you can read it by clicking here.
Details of the proposed settlement can be found on the website of Ms. Robertson?s law firm, Kloskie, Minsky LLP. Click here to access further information.
PWAC disseminate additional information as it becomes available. If you are a potential
claimant and, after reviewing the settlement, you have any objections to
the agreement you must submit them in writing to Kloskie, Minsky LLP by
June 8th, 2009.
May 06, 2009: PWAC Pleased with Settlement in the Heather Robertson Class Action Suit
CTVglobemedia announced yesterday that they have agreed to pay $11 million to settle the class action suit launched 13 years ago by Heather Robertson on behalf of thousands of freelance writers claiming their work was reproduced electronically without proper permission or compensation.
"The Professional Writers Association of Canada is thrilled with the news of the settlement. This has been a long ongoing process and we appreciate Heather Robertson taking the lead role in the battle for the protection of writers' rights," said PWAC President, Tanya Gulliver. "As freelancers we want to be fairly compensated for the work that we do, and want to ensure that publishers recognize the value of our work. This settlement, stemming from the Supreme Court decision in 2006 that supported our position that freelancers own control of their work unless otherwise agreed upon, is historic and a great achievement for the freelance writing industry."
PWAC and Ms. Robertson, a founding member of PWAC, are optimistic that the settlement will expedite a positive outcome in other pending lawsuits and set a precedent protecting creators' intellectual property rights and ensure fair compensation for digital exploitation of their work.
Ms. Robertson would also like to thank PWAC and the many individual members who have vocally supported her over the years and provided financial assistance to help cover her legal costs.
Ms. Robertson and her legal representatives will be publishing a full version of the settlement and a notice to claimants in the Globe and Mail and the National Post on Saturday.
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