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“Only place where I can get a consistently high quality of union stories and graphics.”
The Canadian Association of Labour Media is a network of union publications and editors that provides labour-friendly stories and graphics and training for labour communicators.
The major affiliates of the Canadian Labour Congress set up CALM in 1976. In 1986 it launched its news and graphics services.
Starter kit
When you join CALM you get a starter kit to help you out.
• booklet on editing and designing a union newsletter
• booklet on libel and avoiding it
• booklet on copyright
(Don’t forget to lend them to new members of your communications committee. Or, you can order more copies.)
Labour News and Graphics (LNG)
CALM produces 10 pages of stories and about six graphics 10 times a year for members to use in their newsletters. Members can download them from the CALM website. The stories can be features, short news reports, opinon pieces, humour or filler. They tend to cover items of national, international or regional interest. The graphics are usually editorial cartoons.
CALM Graphics
This 10-page compilation of illustrations and cartoons comes out four times a year in hard copy and on the web site. The graphics are indexed and available for download from the website.
CALM awards recognize excellence
The annual CALM awards recognize excellence in union publications and productions. Entries are judged by independent experts in a variety of categories and classes. The winners get beautifully designed certificates that they’re proud to display.
CALM helps editors build skills
CALM holds at least one training conference a year, in the spring. For two tiring days, editors attend hands-on workshops to acquire new skills or improve on what they already know. Writing, editing, photography, design, desktop publishing and website design are some of the topics taught by seasoned labour communicators. And CALM conferences are always a source of new ideas.
CALM members
CALM has about 300 members in Canada and elsewhere. Some CALM newsletters are run off on a photocopier and handed out in the workplace. Others are printed in several colours and mailed to every member of the union. The rest are in between. Circulation can be less than a hundred or more than a hundred thousand.
In addition to newsletters, CALM members produce websites, posters, videos, brochures and anything else that falls into the general realm of communications.
Unions not affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress, labour organizations outside Canada, and non-profit, membership-based organizations can also join CALM.
The cost of membership is based on circulation and starts at $110 a year.
CALM members have a responsibility too. They regularly send a copy of their newsletter to the CALM editor, and they give CALM permission to use material for which they own the copyright.
Subscribers
For $303 a year, labour-friendly organizations and individuals can receive CALM services. They can't vote or receive CALM awards.
To find out about joining CALM, go to join us.
| CALM executive | |
| Chris Lawson, President | Public Service Alliance of Canada |
| Mikael Swayze, Secretary-Treasurer | CUPE Local 3902, Toronto |
| Doreen Meyer, Past-President | CUPE, Ottawa |
| Jeff Atkinson | Canadian Labour Congress, Ottawa |
| Chris Bradshaw | B.C. Government Employees' Union, Burnaby |
| Ian Clysdale | Canadian Union of Public Employees, Ottawa |
| Patty Gibson | Hospital Employees' Union, Burnaby |
| Derek Johnstone | United Food and Commerical Workers, Toronto |
| Karrie Ouchas | OPSEU Local 340, Oshawa |
| Frank Saptel | International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Toronto |
| Joe Sarnovsky | CAW Local 222, Oshawa |
| Heath Smith | Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, Regina |
| Emily Visser | Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Toronto |
| Michelle Walsh | CEP Communications, Ottawa |
CALM staff
Martin Lukacs is the CALM editor. Martin has experience as an independent journalist editor and community organizer. He's been involved in campaigns and movements for labour and Indigenous rights.
Associate editor Sally Leitch joined CALM in 1998 with a background in publicity and event organizing. Before CALM, she worked for a labour lawyer, a theatre, a Cabinet minister and as a woodworker.
CALM staff reports to the CALM executive council, which is elected every three years by the CALM members