Journal de Montreal

There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it could be a train that hits hard and very, very hard.

Quebecor filed a settlement proposal to end the labor dispute at the Journal de Montreal that lasts and lasts from January 24, 2009. The CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau in person, announced this big surprise last week. The mediation process is continuing for a month.

Nothing official filter of this arbitration. Representatives of both sides of this interminable trench warfare respect a total camera. The content of the employer's offer remains as recent secret.

Patience, then. Meanwhile, to better understand the painful exercise that takes place behind lock tight, we can fall back on the proposed regulation that was filed by the owner, an open secret discussed all sides in the media world, but never broadcast date.

According to the preliminary settlement plan, Quebecor would have retained 17 journalists in its new newsroom. Repeat: 17 out of the approximately 66 reporters locked out, making one in four, roughly. In addition, according to this perspective, management would select them one by one, without regard to seniority.

At the start of the lockout, the union representing 253 members multisectoral. The preliminary proposal only saved a total of five, fifty what. In this small lot, there would be twenty clerks, including a dozen positions to classified ads and even then they may decrease in number at the discretion of management, depending on the workload. The new hall would therefore maintain a thirty posts, no cartoonist or editor, but four photographers, a handful of graphic artists and heads of desk, and then the 17 journalists.

These figures are not conditional on confirmed and will not, both parties respecting the lockout informational. The proposals can be changed upward or downward in the proposal filed last week. Maybe or maybe not. In any case, employees may find themselves much less likely to leave the underground where they eke out a living for about 20 months.

This is another very serious potential adverse effect of conflict. A few dozen executives realize Le Journal de Montreal, which sells and distributes as much for some 600 days. The boss seems tempted to reduce its "human resources" accordingly. After all, according to this logic managerial, why hire 253 people for the job if a quarter or half the number do the trick?

The stalemate in the conflict and this proposal (not confirmed) claiming a sort of collective hara-kiri explain the forces of this flagship of the fleet of Quebecor into the water one by one to save their skins ... before they are almost all scales simultaneously overboard.

Former colleagues of the Journal de Montreal now working in the communications department of a city, relations with the media of a school board, etc.. Many are active for the excellent site RueFrontenac.com, a creature of locked. Some have managed to put in another medium.

This is the case Fabrice de Pierrebourg, one of the best journalists and investigators today. His recruitment by La Presse was announced in July, barely a year after the company had claimed its employees major concessions. This good watchdog was all the more reason to breed also was among the nine 'Leaders' union dismissed after a court decision finding them guilty of contempt of court for having entered the Local JDEM a year earlier, with more than 100 other employees.

At the same time as the hiring of this big keyboard, the daily also announced that regularized the status of supernumerary illico transformed into permanent employees. As luck, providence of unbelievers, makes funny links, the measure has positively contributed 17 journalists, 17 ...

The spokesman Gesca owned by Power Corporation, owner of La Presse, denies a connection between this and that. The spokesman for the union establishes a quite the contrary, since, according to union claims, he must first resolve the fate of supernumerary (some waiting in the wings for four years), before hiring the recruit selection. In short, Mr. de Pierrebourg would shield a little help from 17 posts to qualify for the 18th ... which is better than being in the face.

There is barely a year, La Presse claimed his employees major concessions to save the company. Approximately 17,000 employees of U.S. media have lost their jobs in 2009, a year lockout at Le Journal de Montréal. The deep crisis, and that newspapers in particular, increases the bad and the amazing surprises ...

pix

ssa

Kiss

Hello fans....

Well, there's lots of rumours about concerts in Regina this week, huh? I won't tip my hand -- I'm not in a position to tell anybody anything because, well, I just don't know. But the good thing is that it appears we'll be blessed with some good concerts this summer.

Now, do you think Kiss could come to Regina? Anything is possible -- when I was told a couple of years ago that the Rolling Stones would perform at Taylor Field, I didn't believe it. But look at what happened.

Kiss has an interesting campaign to book concerts in cities where fans contribute to a campaign to get the band to include you on its upcoming tour. There's also talk of a new Kiss album.

To read more, here's a a link ...

http://eventful.com/performers/kiss-/P0-001-000062428-9/competitions

I am a huge Kiss fan -- when I was a kid, I had Kiss posters plastered all over my bedroom walls, and I was such a fan that I didn't understand how any band would dare go on stage without makeup.

Luckily, Kiss reunited, put the makeup on and toured like crazy - and I got to see the whole extravaganza - once in Ottawa in the mid-90s and again in 2000 in Toronto. They were great shows, especially since Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were on board.

It appears the current Kiss lineup features Tommy Thayer in Ace's role, and Eric Singer back where Peter ought to be. Thayer and Singer are great musicians, but still.

I'm sure this modern-day version of Kiss puts on a fine show -- but, unfortunately, since I can head to the afterlife knowing I've seen the original Kiss, I will likely pass on an opportunity to see the current lineup (pictured).

However, for those who want to see "the greatest band in the world," or at least half of the band, here's your chance.

See you later.

A

I've had it with Ticketmaster

Hello friends...

I apologize for taking too long to get this blog rolling again.

If you hadn't heard about Joel Plaskett's show at The Distrikt next month, consider yourself told - one of Canada's best singer-songwriters is performing May 8. I am still listening to his new three-CD offering, so stay tuned to Saturday's Leader-Post for my review.

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know that I officially think that Ticketmaster sucks. First, I had a helluva time with the site - it kept crashing and/or refusing to accept my credit card information when I tried to buy a couple of Plaskett tickets this week.

So I called the 1-800 number, and was given a couple of different stories about whether I could actually buy them over the phone. One fella gave me another number to call so I could buy them over the phone -- but when I called it, I was told that I could only buy them online. Sure seemed like a lot of trouble.

Anyway, I re-booted my computer and that seemed to do the trick. However, I was stunned at all the charges. We expect a "fee" of some sort, but what I paid seemed outrageous.

I got two tickets at $15 each, and I was charged $4.50 for each ticket for a handling fee. Then, I was charged another $3 delivery fee, even though I chose to pick up the tickets. I'll let you do the math, but the notion that only a portion of what I'm paying is winding up in Plastkett's pocket is a sad thing indeed.

I don't have any grand ideas about loosening Ticketmaster's grip on the ticket industry, but I'd like to hear them - and I'd be happy to support competition to Ticketmaster.

That's it for now -- I need to get to work on reasearching the next Matte's Metal Minute. If you haven't heard, my contribution to Grindhouse, the heavy metal show on The Wolf is becoming more and more fun since it began a few months ago. Last Friday's metal newscast was as close to flawless as I'll ever get. Stay stuned to the upcoming Friday night show (11 p.m.) ... and I may even have an interview or two share in the coming weeks.

Stay real.

A.

concert listings

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From: Dunn, Jessica [JessicaDunn@LiveNation.com] Sent: Tue 17/03/2009 14:25
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Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SASKATCHEWAN CONCERT LISTINGS
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 17, 2009



SASKATCHEWAN CONCERT LISTINGS





Most tickets available through www.livenation.com, Ticketmaster Or Charge by Phone:

Saskatoon 306-938-7800, rest of Saskatchewan 1-800-970-7328
Tickets are subject to applicable service charges and facility fees









RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS





MAR 27 / BEYONCÈ – NEW BLOCK OF TICKETS RELEASED

*March 27, Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon / Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm

Tickets) $115.00, $89.00, $59.00 & $25.00 / RESERVED SEATING / TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW



APR 20 / GAVIN ROSSDALE – NEW SUPPORT ADDED

With special guest Suzie McNeil

*April 20, Odeon Events Centre Saskatoon / Doors 7:00pm/ Show 8:00pm

Tickets $30.00 / GENERAL ADMISSION / 19+/ TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW







CONCERT LISTINGS





MAR 20 / BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – SOLD OUT

With special guests Dope and Archer

*March 20, The Odeon, Saskatoon/ Doors 8:00pm / Shows 9:15pm

SOLD OUT / GENERAL ADMISSION / 19+



MAR 24 / SERENA RYDER – SOLD OUT

With special guest Royal Wood

*March 24, Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon / Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm

SOLD OUT / GENERAL ADMISSION SEATED



APR 4 / NICKELBACK

With special guests Seether and Saving Abel

*April 4, Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon / Doors 6:00pm / Show 7:00pm
Tickets $65.50, $49.50 & $39.50/ RESERVED SEATING / TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW



APR 11 / NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

With special guests Jabbawockeez

*April 11, Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon/ Doors 6:30pm / Shows 7:30pm

Tickets $75.00, $55.00 & $39.50 / RESERVED SEATING / TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW



APR 12 / NO FEAR ENERGY MUSIC TOUR

FEATURING LAMB OF GOD

With special guests Children Of Bodom, As I Lay Dying, Municipal Waste and God Forbid

*April 12, Saskatoon Prairieland Park, Saskatoon / Doors 6:00pm / Show 7:00pm

Tickets $39.50 / GENERAL ADMISSION / TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW



APR 20 / NEIL YOUNG

With special guests Everest

*April 20, Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon / Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm

Tickets) $175.00, $89.50, $75.00 & $55.00 / GENERAL ADMISSION FLOOR / RESERVED STANDS / TICKETMASTER
TICKETS ON SALE NOW



APR 23 / SUGARLAND

With special guests Billy Currington

*April 23, Brandt Centre, Regina / Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm

Tickets $69.50 & $45.50/ RESERVED SEATING / TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW



MAY 14 / THE STILLS

With special guests Gentleman Reg

*May 14, Louis’ Saskatoon / Doors 8:00pm/ Show 9:00pm

Tickets $18.00 / GENERAL ADMISSION / 19+/ TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW



MAY 23 / AN EVENING WITH IL DIVO

*May 23, Brandt Centre, Regina / Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm

Tickets $127.05, $91.55 & $57.05 / RESERVED SEATING / TICKETMASTER
TICKETS ON SALE NOW



MAY 29 / TV ON THE RADIO

With special guests Dirty Projectors

*May 29, Louis’, Saskatoon / Doors 8:00pm/ Show 9:00pm

Tickets $28.50 / GENERAL ADMISSION / 19+/ TICKETMASTER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

***A LIVE NATION & SEALED WITH A KISS CO-PRODUCTION***







NEW SHOWS BEING ADDED WEEKLY

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Best Regards,
Jessica Dunn| Media Relations / Western Canada(:: 604.683.4233 / 604.683.4298 fx
8::Jessicadunn@livenation.com
*:: 5th Floor 56 East 2nd Ave, | Vancouver, BC, Canada | V5T 1B1
www.LiveNation.com

Miss ya pal.

One of my favourite guitarists is actually a better photographer than he is an axeman.

Tom Hanson was one of this country's best photographers. But, for me, he was good friend and among group of journalist buddies to attend Friday night poker games at the Ottawa Press Club held on the third Friday of the month. This was a few years ago now -- 1995-97.

I admired him for his creative approach to life - I was jealous of his job - he had one of the best jobs in journalism, helping record the comings and goings of the prime minister of the day for the Canadian Press. I can guarentee you've seen his pictures in newspapers. He's been published regularly in Canadian newspaper for the past two decades.

The last time I saw Tom we were on a plane carrying Jean Chretien -- I was assigned to cover the federal election campaign in 2001 and he was there, as always, to take pictures. We shared some old stories, and he shared some of his wife's baking.

I bring this up because Tom died on Tuesday night -- at 41, Tom collapsed while playing hockey in Ottawa. Needless to say, as a 41-year-old, out-of-shape hockey-playing journalist, this puts an interesting perspective on things.

At any rate, Tom loved the blues - he was a member of an all-media band in Ottawa and he played a smooth Fender Strat. I doubt he liked metal.

But I will always remember his photos, showing up to press conferences on his Harley Davidson and introducing me to fancy scotch over a late night, but spirited, game of cards.

I have been on antibiotics for a couple of weeks, but when they are done, I am going to have a glass, or two, of the Macallan in Tom's honour.

Here's a little more about Tom and his work.

http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/thelens/archive/2009/03/11/a-tribute-to-cp-photojournalist-tom-hanson.aspx


http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hGVoyKXFQxS8V0OixzHJjgnK5H7A

You too can miss U2

Hello fans....

Mondays are great, aren't they? My Monday was made extra grim by the news that U2 has announced plans to play shows in Canada. And, of course, on Toronto and Vancouver are on the list. In the story below, the Toronto Sun's Jane Stevenson suggests more Canadian dates could added. Don't hold your breath. There are bigger U2 fans than me, but you won't find me at any of the U2 shows already booked.

Anyway, bigger bands have played here -- so you never know.

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/U/U2/2009/03/09/8676421-sun.html