The Born Freelancer’s 2013 Holiday Wish List
This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments. Of course we’d all like more work; better pay; understanding editors/producers; and enjoyably challenging assignments. It goes without saying. And I wish all of these unto you […]
Freelancers report delayed payments from Venture Publishing
** Update Dec 17/13: Chris Turner has reported that he received his overdue cheque from Venture Publishing this week. Some of the other freelancers that Story Board contacted are still waiting for payment. ** Venture Publishing has told at least one freelancer that it is behind in payments to its contributors, blaming poor summer ad […]
Freelance contracts: what to look for
There was a commotion on Twitter last week. A graphic designer named Juan Luis Garcia claimed he was asked to design some posters for Spike Lee’s new movie, Oldboy. After spending weeks on his designs, he says, the agency that hired him offered an “insultingly low rate” for the use of his posters. He was […]
CMG announces tentative new CBC agreement, freelancer issues still pending
The Canadian Media Guild has reached a tentative agreement with CBC, but there are still freelance-related issues to work out. Freelancer pay rates are one of several areas still under discussion. The next negotiating session, which will be devoted to resolving freelance issues, is scheduled for early December. We’ll post details on Story Board once […]
What’s in your contract?
Libel notice served to Toronto Life should give freelance writers pause for thought York University’s recent libel notice to Toronto Life should serve as a sobering reminder for Canadian freelance writers. The article at issue – a feature on sexual assault at York – was written by freelance contributor Katherine Laidlaw. Fortunately for Laidlaw, […]
Le Devoir: TC Media freelance contract changed
The Montreal paper Le Devoir is reporting that TC Media – publisher of such magazines as Elle Canada, Style at Home and Canadian Living – has revised the contentious freelance contract that they introduced earlier this year. That contract demanded full copyright and a waiver of moral rights from its freelance contributors and provoked a widespread outcry from freelance […]
James Moore responds to CMG’s letter about TC Media funding
The Canadian Media Guild has received a reply to a letter they sent to the Minister of Canadian Heritage last month regarding financial assistance given to TC Media through the Canada Periodical Fund. The CMG expressed concerns about the TC Media funding in light of the new contract the publisher tried to impose on freelancers earlier […]
Is the Canada Periodical Fund helping TC Media squeeze freelancers?
By Katherine Lapointe The Canadian Media Guild has sent a letter to Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore asking him to review the funding TC Media receives from Heritage Canada’s Periodical Fund in the wake of the new contract it tried to impose on freelancers this year. TC Media has received between $7.5 and $8.5 […]
A bright spot in the TC Media affair?
There may be some room for optimism in the ongoing dispute over the new Transcontinental Media contributors agreement. The CMG has heard from freelancers in Québec and elsewhere that TC Media is making amendments to the contract. Freelancers for some TC Media titles have been told that they can continue to provide content for the magazines […]
I Am Not Anonymous
By Amber Nasrulla I’d like to sit down with the person or people at TC Media who penned the new freelance contract. As Story Board reported last week, they’ve refused to negotiate improvements or meet with anyone from the Canadian Media Guild (CMG) saying they prefer to meet with freelancers individually. If I met them […]
