Time running out before a Chronicle Herald work stoppage
Posted Jan 22, 2016 03:19:54 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – It’s still unclear whether the Halifax Chronicle Herald’s unionized newsroom employees will be on strike or locked out at midnight on Friday night.
A union staff representative with Communications Workers of America-Canada says regardless of what Friday’s outcome is, the local Halifax Typographical Union intends to impose its will on the company in the event of a work stoppage.
CWA spokesperson Dave Wilson says the union hasn’t heard anything back from the Chronicle Herald since Wednesday, adding they don’t seem to be interested in negotiating.
On Thursday, the union learned the Herald has arranged a news-sharing agreement with Irving-owned Brunswick News. Wilson says the union is not quite sure what this means.
“We’ve been hearing of partnerships, but we can’t confirm whether Irving has an interest in the Herald,” said Wilson.
Wilson says he’s unsure whether the Herald’s 61 unionized employees will be in a strike or lockout position by midnight Friday.
“It’ll go either way. They may just lock us out, but if they’re simply going to impose conditions on us than we have to strike,” said Wilson Friday.
The Herald has said it needs to make significant changes in its collective agreement to to adapt and respond to market demand and economic challenges.
According to the union this week, Herald management filed a notice giving the company the option to lock out newsroom staff with 48 hours notice. The union countered Wednesday, saying it would file its own 48-hour strike notice after talks ended this week.
