Unionized Toronto Star employees overwhelmingly vote in favour of new contract

On Tuesday, February 28, unionized Toronto Star workers voted in favour of a new collective agreement that sees members of the tablet app Toronto Star Touch and Star digital team being brought into the collective agreement as full-time employees.

The two-year agreement between the Star and the Union also provides paid leave for victims of domestic violence, enhanced mental-health care for Star workers and their families, and provides language about a healthy workplace.

Unionized Star workers voted 89 per cent in favour of the contract, according to the bulletin put out by the bargaining committee headed by Star Unit Chair Steve Gjorkes.

Unifor Local 87-M president Paul Morse says bringing tablet and digital workers into the contract and stronger mental-health protections and benefits are a win for workers.

“Digital media workers are the next wave for our union, and we’re working hard to ensure they are treated fairly,” Morse said.

The Star is also expected to announce their new CEO shortly. Outgoing CEO and acting publisher David Holland will be retiring Friday, March 3.