SCOOP: Journalism on the chopping block at TVO

And a Legislative fixture hangs up his hat

Presented by Ontario’s Universities

ABOVE THE FOLD

First in Observer — BEHIND THE BARGAINING TABLE — TVO as we know it came close to obliteration during the tense 11-week standoff at the bargaining table.

Workers at Ontario’s public broadcaster are back on the job after accepting the employer’s offer that includes a 7.7 per cent wage increase over three years and, for what appears to be the first time ever, voluntary buyout packages.

But inking that deal did not come easy — and sources familiar with the negotiations tell me that journalism — and TVO’s flagship program The Agenda in particular — was in jeopardy.

As contract talks came to a head, TVO management signalled to the union that there could be “contingency plans” and intimated that The Agenda was “at risk” — especially if the latest offer wasn’t signed, multiple sources say.

That message came through the employer, but six sources tell me the impression was that the order was coming from the top: the Ford government.

Now that th…