Sweeping cuts at Global News

Unifor, the union representing many Global News workers, said  that 69 of their members have been laid off. Global News has reported the total number of cuts is closer to 80 people.

Among those cut are “camera operators, reporters, anchors, control room staff, make-up artists and other production crew,” according to Unifor.

According to the Global News report, the layoffs come part of a Global News reorganization that is “part of its transformation into a sustainable, digital-first organization.” Troy Reeb, senior vice-president of Global News and Corus Radio, said that more resources will be directed into four new local digital-first bureaus Global is opening in Ottawa, Kitchener, Guelph and Barrie. According to Global News, laid-off employees will have the opportunity to apply for 50 new positions that are being created to serve the new digital-first mandate.

The biggest cuts came in Vancouver, according to Unifor, where 21 staff were laid off.

In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, evening newscasts will no longer be produced locally in Halifax. Instead, they will be anchored in Toronto and broadcast remotely. “Our studios will be empty after the morning show ends at 9 a.m.,” said David MacPherson, president of the Maritimes unit of Unifor local M1, in a statement.