Labour disputes at the CBC have left approximately 5500 staff out of work.

The issue, according to Reuters, mainly concerns contract workers.

Representatives said the renowned Canadian broadcasting corporation needed the flexibility to hire more contract workers; whereas union officials reported the network wasn’t doing enough to hire more people on a permanent basis.

Only 5 per cent of staff used to work on contract, but more than 20 per cent are currently casual employees.

The lockout affects all English services and French language operations outside of Quebec and New Brunswick.

It was the result of 15 months of failed discussions between the CBC and the Canadian Media Guild.

“We’re expecting talks to resume fairly and quickly; that’s our hope anyway,” said Jane Chalmers, a vice-president from CBC Radio.

In the meantime, CBC is operating on a contingency plan.






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