Journalists off the job at the Chronicle Herald
Chronicle Herald staff go on strike after 12:01 deadline passes.
By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor
Editorial staff at the Chronicle Herald have gone on strike.
Both management and employees had a 12:01 am deadline on Jan. 23 to take further job action.
Though there were last-ditch conciliation talks scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21, representatives for the Halifax Typographical Union said in a press release management was unwilling to discuss any changes to its proposed new contract, which includes 1,232 changes.
Management at the Chronicle Herald wants to change the language in the collective agreement, lower wages and increase hours.
There have been allegations that management has also contacted replacement workers to write content. According to the HTU, the Herald also has a news-sharing arrangement in place with Brunswick News.
On Jan. 23, CBC Nova Scotia reported that 18 Chronicle Herald staff had also been sent layoff notices.
During the first day of the strike, Nova Scotians tweeted messages of support to the striking workers.
@htu_official My column will be on hold until after the labour strife is over. Standing with my brothers and sisters #canlab #solidarity
— Pat Lee (@PatriciaGailLee) January 23, 2016
The NSNDP caucus will not be giving media interviews to Herald 'freelancers' or providing press releases during this strike @HTU_official
— Maureen MacDonald (@MaureenMLA) January 23, 2016
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.