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We write to you today pledging Unifor’s full support to the members of the Halifax Typographical Union in your contract talks with the Chronicle Herald.
The people of Halifax and indeed all Nova Scotia rely on the professional journalism done by your members every day. Quality journalism ensures an informed public, and is the foundation of a functioning democracy. The demands being made by the management of the Chronicle Herald, however, put that at grave risk. By threatening to lock you out if you do not agree, they have shown their disregard for the citizens of the area and to quality journalism.’
And so, Unifor is calling on all its members, activists and staff to refrain from speaking to any scabs hired by the paper, or to any managers doing the work of HTU members. Across the Atlantic, Unifor represents more than 31,000 workers in shipbuilding, health care, communications, forestry, fisheries and more.
As well, Unifor’s community chapter for freelance journalists, the Canadian Freelance Union, has urged its members not to cross your picket line or work as scabs for the paper. None of us win, and journalism only suffers, when journalists fail to stand together. Unifor represents 14,500 journalists and other media workers across Canada, and they, too, stand with you today.
The media sector as a whole is facing great challenges. The answer is not, however, to undercut the quality of our journalism and the people who produce it.
