Labour In a move that trade union leaders are interpreting as ideological in intent and implication, the Toronto-based Globe and Mail has elected to abolish its labour beat. The paper plans to replace the post with a report on the “workplace,” which will devote more attention to coverage of unor- ganized enterprises, and less to the view- point of the trade union movement. Spokespersons for organized labour also suspect that the pro-free trade Globe and Mail wants to minimize coverage of the negative effects of corporate restructuring and continental integration. This will be effected, it is feared, through reduced atten- tion to the trade union movement, the most prominent extra-parliamentary opponent of the deal. Ontario Federation of Labour president Gord Wilson told the Tribune that the pub- lic is entitled to objective news reporting. He noted that the Globe will have a hard time providing such coverage with not a single reporter solely concerned with labour, at the same time as it employs some 30 busi- ness writers. The paper has in fact, Wilson said, made a political decision to cover events differently. The paper will make sure that free trade is reported in as favourable a light as possible, according to the OFL head. “So that people will be able to read about widget companies giying out turkeys to employees and telling them what a good job they’re doing — for eee eee $200 to the Tribune drive in memory of my grandfather Tom McEwen and my mother Jean Ewen Kovich Tom Kozar In memory of Walter Gawrycki Al and Olga Grinkus — Globe eliminating labour beat $4 an hour.” Art Jenkyn, secretary-treasurer of the United Electrical Workers, charged that the Globe is “‘trying to stifle the labour move- ment in the media.” He said the paper’s ,decision was symptomatic of the big busi- ness agenda for Canada after free trade. The Southern Ontario Newspaper Guild, representing some 2,700 newspaper, maga- zine, and publishing industry workers, cri- ticized the Globe’s move in a statement last week. “Softer stuff on non-union environ- ments,” is what the paper wants, said SONG’s Gail Lem, added that the change won’t contribute to balanced journalism. And journalism that pays insufficient attention to the labour movement fails to provide insight into the workings of the national economy as well, the union declared, noting that that the trade union movement has an obvious impact on the production and distribution of goods and services in the country. Lorne Slotnick, who has covered labour for the newspaper over the 4% years, declined to assume the position of “work- place” reporter. In a letter dated April 19 and addressed to ‘“‘all concerned in the labour movement,” he outlined his reasons and also commented on developments at “Canada’s national newspaper.” “When the beat was renamed several weeks ago, I thought the transformation might be a mild and ultimately palatable one,” his letter stated. “But it has become apparent that the Globe is seeking a radical change in the way it has covered labour for more than 50 years.” “In a conversation on April 14, the Globe’s new managing editor, Tim Prit- chard, told me the paper is no longer inter- ested in covering developments in collective bargaining or the activities of organized labour. Rather, the paper’s management wants coverage of the ‘good’ things that are happening at non-union establishments, as well as stories about workplace ‘trends’ — apparently from a management point of view.’ Slotnick argued that a “power play” was carried out this year at the Globe by pub- lisher Roy Megarry. “The result will be a paper much less open to a wide range of points of view. It’s not going to change overnight and it’s not going to be apparent in every story in the paper, but the shift has already clearly begun.” Slotnick also noted that some have tagged him as “too pro-labour,” and reluc- tant to do stories that will make his “friends” in the trade union movement “look bad.” Clearly, the implication is that the Globe not only wants a writer who will pay more attention to the unorganized shop and office, but will also take a more hostile position to organized labour and its leader- ship. For its part, the Globe and Mail denied that preparation is under way to shut the trade union movement out of its pages. Editor-in-chief William Thorsell responded to the SONG bulletin by asserting that the labour beat has not been abolished, and that labour coverage will remain the core of the “workplace” reporter’s assignment. Classified Advertising COMING EVENTS MAY 13—CPC Convention Banquet to honour B.C. leader Maurice Rush. Maritime Labour Centre, 111 Victoria Dr. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $15. Reservations required. Phone Dian at 254-9836 to reserve a ticket. MAY 24 — China Today — Examining the Big Economic and Social Reforms. Hear: Ken Woodsworth (Exec. .member Canada-China Friendship Society), Sean Griffin (Editor, Pacific Tribune). 1726 E. Hastings St. Vancouver. 7:30 p.m. Question & answer period to follow. Aus- pices: Centre for Socialist Education. MAY 28 — Donalda’s Annual Seafood Bar- beque dinner. 2320 Dundas St. Vancouver. “Pay what you can afford” (254-7849). All proceeds to Tribune drive. MAY 28 — Annual fish barbecue at the Stev- ens’, 4504 River Rd. West, Delta. 1 p.m. on. Proceeds to the Tribune. JUNE 3 — Garage sale. All proceeds to Trib- une drive. 2320 Dundas St., (at Nanaimo), Van- couver. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. JUNE 11 — Annual labour festival at Webs- ters’ Corners. 12 noon to 6 p.m. Songs and music, food, refreshments, children’s activities, sports. Fun for the whole family! JUNE 16 — Button Bash! 8 p.m. Centre for Socialist Education, 1726 East Hastings St. $1/person, $5/exhibitors. Proceeds to Pacific Tribune. JUNE 18 — Keep this date open for dinner/ social. Sponsored by New West Club. KAMLOOPS POLITICAL DISCUSSION group open to everyone. 2nd Wednesday each month held at North Kamloops library meeting room, 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Kamloops Club of the Communist Party. COMMERCIAL GRAMMA PUBLICATIONS. Complete print- ing services. Brochures, menus, leaflets, etc. A union shop. 2089 Commercial Dr. Vancouver. Hours: Mon.-Fri..10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 254-7717. AUTOPLAN, GENERAL INSURANCE, Early Agencies Ltd., 5817 Victoria Dr. Home, tenants, business, trade union. Call Dave Mor- ton, 321-6707. VICTORIA BILL HARTLEY your AutoPlan man. All types of insurance. Mail in or phone in. 2420 Douglas Street, Victoria, V8T 4L7. 388-5014. PORT ALBERNI ' STEREO, TV REPAIRS. All makes. Rebuilt TVs for sale. TVs bought and sold. Call Andre anytime! All Star TV-Stereo. 724-7238. LEGAL SERVICES RANKIN, BOND, McMURRAY. Barristers and Solicitors. 2nd Floor, 157 Alexander Street, 682-3621. CONSTANCE FOGAL. Family law, wills and estates. #401-207 W. Hastings St., 687-0588. DIRECTORY COMMUNIST PARTY OF CANADA office located at 1726 E. Hastings St., Van., V5L 1S9. (' i = Phone: 254-9836. Office hours: 9:30-12 noon; ae SS < j 1-5 p.m. Mon. to Fri. For information on political hf ] y} ee A issues or assistance in political activity. 4h HALLS FOR RENT ) RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME — Available for rentals. For reservations phone 254-3430. 2 3 UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL S 4 CENTRE — 805 East Pender St. Vancouver. fr Available for banquets, weddings, meetings. oe ce Phone 254-3436. ae 3 AS A Bin fe ; | J IM LOUIS : 7 & COMPANY at the Gsoyoos- Oroville Taattanaes Border Crossing. Uncontested divorce $200* GY Canadians meet at Haynes Point Prov. Park, Conveyancing _—. SY ‘) Americans meet at Osoyoos State Park Incorporations = SU ~ at 12:00noon. Celebration at 1:00p.m. 4. ae ee saa ZN Bring music, drums, poetry * Wills $50* © Ny) & short presentations. ee Rare se) fee ogee yUs : iS ~ Welfare/UIC appeals ‘fee ‘ % SAR Poh eonleas saree ee ne *All prices plus disbursements (Sw Divorce and Family Law 5 AE } Criminal Law _ (including impaired driving) = 2 108-2182 West 12th/732-7678 Tim Louis Michael Hambrook \ \ om S is} _5} Pacific Tribune, May 8, 1989 « 11