Media & Communications

The Canadian media and communications industry has seen exponential change in the last decade. Developments in technology, the explosion of social media and the ubiquity of mobile devices have significantly impacted the way employers operate their businesses.

Media convergence and industry consolidation have also created opportunities—and challenges—for employers, particularly those operating in heavily unionized environments. Our extensive experience in the media and communications industry means that we understand your business and can tailor solutions to your needs on a full range of human resources issues.

Clients

We act for many in the industry, including:

  • major telecommunications companies
  • radio and television broadcasters
  • national print media organizations
  • motion picture and animation production companies

Services

Drawing upon the breadth of our human resources expertise, our services to media and communications companies include advice and representation related to:

  • labour relations matters (collective agreement negotiation, union certification, strikes and lockouts, unfair labour practice allegations, jurisdictional disputes, related employer applications)
  • litigation including class actions, wrongful dismissal claims, and pension and benefits disputes
  • grievance arbitrations on various issues including collective agreement interpretation, allegations of failure to accommodate and improper work assignment, among others
  • business reorganizational strategies in connection with jurisdictional issues and sale of business obligations
  • structuring of employment contracts for media executives and on-air talent, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants
  • pension, benefits and executive compensation issues such as change-of-control and equity-based incentive plans
  • workers’ compensation claims and appeals
  • health and safety issues
  • outsourcing or contracting-out of services