Cooperation makes it happen
La Tribune employees call for community support in the creation of a workers’ cooperative
In the most recent step of a process that began last August with the news that Sherbrooke’s French-language daily newspaper, La Tribune, was facing bankruptcy along with the other media owned by parent company Groupe Capitales Medias (GCM), the members of the local re-launch committee put out a call for public support for the employees’ desire to acquire the business as a workers’ cooperative. Although the paper has already put out a call for public support, Monday’s appeal came with the news that a new online microsite, coopmonjournal.com, has been launched that will allow anyone who wishes to make a financial commitment to the cause.
“We are asking for the support of our whole community; our readers, our parents, our neighbours, our elected officials, all those who play a part in our daily news” said committee member Mélanie Noël. “It is time to show your attachment.”
Noël explained that the microsite, which is set up to support concurrent but separate co-op projects at each of
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the six threatened newspapers, allows people to submit a letter of intent that represents a future donation should the employees submit a successful bid for the purchase of their paper.
“For the moment we ask everyone to visit the site, select the tab for La Tribune, and choose a contribution that suits them,” the committee member added. “If our bid is successful, then we will contact the donors to collect the sum committed.”
“This is a very serious project,” said follow committee member Louis-éric Allard, underlining the fact that the full staff of La Tribune is behind the effort. “We want to do this together”
“We are convinced that the creation of a co-op is the best move for our region and for the survival of our daily,” Noël continued, arguing that the direct involvement of the community in the process of saving the paper will also be key to ensuring that community is well served in the future. “The biggest difference between the old model and the new model is that the decisions will be made here rather than at headquarters. The six papers will all be masters of their own destinies.”
According to the committee members, bids on the six GCM newspapers are being considered until October 25, and a final decision is expected in early November.