Chronicle Herald staff take labour dispute to Twitter
Chronicle Herald management removed bylines—so writers and photographers identified themselves on social media.
By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor
On Jan. 13, Nova Scotians found themselves staring at a paper without bylines for the second day in a row.
On Jan. 12, members of the Halifax Typographical Union removed their bylines from The Chronicle Herald in protest of a management’s decision to file a notice that would give them the option to lock out staff with two days’ notice. Frank Campbell, the paper’s Truro bureau chief and vice-president of the HTU, told J-Source staffers have the right to remove their bylines as per their contract.
Hi @Tim_Bousquet, Yes, our executive yesterday called for a 1-day byline strike #canlab https://t.co/TQwB0KaTe0
— HTU (@HTU_official) January 12, 2016
The two parties have been locked in a labour dispute over a new contract the union says would cut a third of newsroom positions, decrease wages and increase the number of hours staff work.
In response, the paper’s management removed all of the names of the reporters and photographers from the paper on Jan. 13. Campbell said they found out the night before from one of their managers. The union’s understanding is that bylines will be withdrawn indefinitely.
“We’ve done it on occasion as a protest of some sort, but haven’t seen it from the company before,” said Campbell. “From my recollection at least.”
When journalists put their bylines on their work, it means something. Today, the CH took our names away #canlab pic.twitter.com/wiMcfAtQaa
— HTU (@HTU_official) January 12, 2016
Mark Lever, president and CEO of The Halifax Herald Ltd., and Nancy Cook, vice-president of administration, did not return J-Source’s calls and email request for comment.
CBC News reportedly obtained an email from Brian Ward, vice-president of news, offering four-month contracts for freelancers to work during a potential lock-out. Their work would be published “without bylines,” according to the email.
Publishing stories without bylines didn’t stop staff from identifying their own work on Twitter. Using the hashtag #iwrotethis, many of the reporters named themselves as a counter-protest.
Here's front page, with names of journos @chronicleherald doesn't want you to know #ishotthis #iwrotethis #canlab pic.twitter.com/0WS1oglzSa
— HTU (@HTU_official) January 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/real_timbophoto/status/687231842962026496
Bathurst Titan topple Halifax Mooseheads 7-3 #Iwrotethis https://t.co/5vLCH9Tiq5 via @chronicleherald
— Willy Palov (@WillyPalov) January 13, 2016
Roman sword or hoax? Fighting over history off Nova Scotia's Coast. #iwrotethis https://t.co/nCheM7o96q
— CH_Aaron Beswick (@CH_ABeswick) January 13, 2016
Bay Ferries adds more crossings on Digby-Saint John route https://t.co/YhsP1dKtis #Iwrotethis
— Ian Fairclough (@iancfairclough) January 13, 2016
.#Liverpool may snag ship work worth $39m #ns #iwrotethis https://t.co/0XgMHgyATK via @chronicleherald
— JoAnn Alberstat (@JAlberstat) January 13, 2016
#iwrotethis https://t.co/yVBO5vnpmV
— Tom Ayers (@tomayers2262) January 13, 2016
No quick fix for closed Pictou County mental health unit. #nspoli #iwrotethis https://t.co/6AnqQ8C1Em
— michael gorman (@MichaelTGorman) January 13, 2016
“I think it’s effective, getting their names out there,” said Campbell.
H.G. Watson was J-Source's managing editor from 2015 to 2018. She is a journalist based in Toronto. You can learn more about her at hgwatson.com.