Elect Jonathan Spence for CMG Secretary-Treasurer

TODAY AND TOMORROW ARE VOTING DAY. If you don't get an email with your ID and passcode email [email protected]. You can also send me a note to let me know.

From Matt Guerin Former Secretary-Treasurer of the CMG To my friends & colleagues who are members of the Canadian Media Guild (CMG): A by-election is being held starting tomorrow Tuesday July 7 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Time) to Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 9:00 PM (Eastern Time) for the position of National Secretary-Treasurer on the CMG's National Executive Committee (NEC).... This was the role I chose to vacate in March of this year due to how I was being shut out of some treasury decisions by the national president and others, and subsequent disrespect they showed me when I raised objections to how they were treating me. I decided I didn't have the time or the stamina to challenge the national president and her executive team in order to improve financial oversights and be the kind of watchdog that is needed at this time. The role needs someone with a lot of experience at the NEC level, someone who is tough, knows the rules inside and out, and has the guts to stand up for all members to make sure finances and the operations of the union are being well-managed. Thus, I strongly endorse Jonathan Spence for this position in this by-election. His experience will serve members well as we continue to strive to ensure the union works effectively for all. https://www.facebook.com/ElectJonathanSpence The CMG will be using an online voting system. When polls open on Tuesday July 7, members will receive an email with your 9-digit CMG identification number. You will also receive a 6-number randomly generated Pass Code. If you have any questions about voting, please contact [email protected]

Thanks for your kind words Pauline Pemik

A note from Carolyn Dunn -- Why I am supporting Jonathan Spence for Secretary-Treasurer In politics, it often seems the best option is to vote against a candidate. When it comes to union elections, we should be one. We should be voting FOR people who we think best represent our values. So, it’s easy for me to explain why I’m voting FOR Jonathan Spence... EXPERIENCE: Jonathan is an exceptionally qualified candidate. In addition to his CBC experience in finance, he is intimately familiar with CMG’s finances, by-laws, collective agreement and processes. COMMITMENT: I’ve personally witnessed Jonathan working day and night for the membership. And trust, me, it’s always for the membership. I value that in Jonathan and I hope you do, too. OVERSIGHT: The position of Sec-Treasurer became open unexpectedly because unfortunately, the last person elected felt cut out of various financial decisions. I believe Jonathan’s knowledge of how CMG runs will ensure he is always at the table and will provide the oversight and transparency. This is essential to the membership and to the CMG, to which I am fully committed. DIVERSITY: The Secretary-Treasurer is not a job that is typically focussed on diversity, but given it’s such an important issue at CMG and CBC now, I want to tell that Jonathan is among the biggest champions of diversity. It is the lens through which he views the world and he has helped push the envelope in big and small ways in his union work and activism. His voice at the table on these, at this time, should be welcomed. Please join me in casting your ballot for Jonathan. And thank you, Jonathan for agreeing to serve again, when people (including me) asked you to!

Meeting and greeting new members is a critical part of union work. Back in 2007 I was working with Michael Santianni while I was New Members director at the Toronto Location Unit. We began new member meetings on a regular basis. The first thing we noticed was that when we met the attendees in the coming months they were not hesitant to engage with us in their work issues. In contrast, members who were not exposed early to the CMG were much more likely to have heard rumour...s about the union which seemed to make them less willing to engage. I continued to support subsequent New Members directors for the following decade in setting up new member meetings of all kinds, from lunch and learns to meet and greets all with a focus to engage new members. I imagine about 500-1000 members in Toronto have attended one of them since those initial meetings. It's important and necessary work for the long term success of the union. See more