Metro newspaper in Toronto is not replacing laid-off writers with interns. The newspaper’s internship program was not altered as a result of recent layoffs in the editorial department. A column published yesterday may have suggested otherwise. Link
The column item in question:
A Toronto free daily newspaper has laid off all of its staff writers – but it won’t be without copy for its pages because it will be using non-paid interns instead.
Metro, which has published in Toronto since 2000, terminated four unionized staff writers last week and two managers, citing economic reasons. The paper is owned by Torstar, which publishes the Toronto Star and Metro International, which publishes giveaways in a half dozen other Canadian centres as well as numerous cities worldwide.
The union representing the laid-off writers says the labour contract allows interns to stay in the event of layoffs; however, it has launched five grievances over this.
Brad Honywill, president of Local 87-M of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (which organized Metro’s staff three years ago), told us: “In this kind of environment, layoffs are inevitable. But we reject the notion they can fill jobs with interns hired three days beforehand.”
Metro’s group publisher for English Canada, Bill McDonald, says: “We made a small adjustment to our staff. We’re managing our business in these economic times.” Copy for the paper will be supplied by “a number of content partnerships,” including the Toronto Star, wire services and extensive use of freelancers, he said. Other Metro papers in Canada have also cut staff.
The paper has appended a clarification to the online version.
Thanks, Tanya!
