Workers at P.E.I.'s Guardian, Journal Pioneer newspapers win 2-year fight to unionize

The fight to become unionized is finally over for workers at two newspapers in Prince Edward Island.

Members of the newly established Island News Guild, which includes employees of The Guardian in Charlottetown and Summerside's Journal Pioneer, have been pushing for unionization for nearly two years. 

The two papers were recenty purchased Postmedia after the previous owner, Nova Scotia-based SaltWire Network, entered creditor protection.

"The Prince Edward Island Labour Relations Board recognized the Halifax Typographical Union (CWA Canada Local 30130) as the bargaining agent for all employees of Postmedia on P.E.I. The ruling excludes a small group of workers in shipping and distribution," CWA Canada said in a social media post Wednesday.

CWA Canada represents about 6,000 media workers across the country, including journalists with the Canadian Press and CBC News Network. 

According to a CWA Canada news release, SaltWire Network's financial troubles led to angst for the workers as they were forced to wait to hear from the labour board about their approval to join the union.

"We are proud to have been chosen by these workers," Carmel Smyth, president of CWA Canada, is quoted as saying in the release.

"We are even more proud of the workers themselves — working together to help each other, even with the added challenge of a bankrupt owner. They did it with solidarity and poise."