Those folks waiting to see Barack Obama yesterday were not the only one’s out in the noon sun.
Employees of Gannett’s Honolulu Advertiser rallied in support of their 54 colleagues whose jobs have been cut by the company. Yesterday was their last day of work.
The rally went largely unnoticed by other news media because of Obama’s arrival, which sucked up most of the island’s news interest.
Click on the photo for more pictures of the rally. And for a little action video, try clicking here or, if that doesn’t work for your computer, try this one.
In the middle of the video, you’ll hear the question asked: “Go back to where?” And the answer comes: “Guam!” That’s a not-too-veiled reference to Advertiser publisher Lee Webber, who transferred to Hawaii last year after 24 years at Pacific Daily News in Guam.
And here’s a way you can support the the Advertiser 54 and get a bit of Hawaii newspaper memorabilia in the bargain.
I’ve got an “official” Honolulu Star-Bulletin shirt by Lands End dating back to the “old” Star-Bulletin, before the breakup of the Honolulu joint operating agreement, and I’ll deliver it to the highest bidder. All proceeds to the fund set up to support the 54 laid off ‘Tiser employees.
It’s a knit polo shirt (or maybe golf shirt, but I’m not sure of the difference), short sleeves, with collar, no pocket. Color, Black. Size, XL. This was likely a Christmas gift in December 2000. I think it’s among the things that management gave away just before the closing of the “old” Star-Bulletin and its takeover by David Black. I found it on a shelf in my closet when I dug around up there to clear out some of my piles of old t-shirts. It’s in the original Lands End plastic bag. Never worn, although it’s been taken out of the bag a few times and has a little cat hair on it as a result. There’s a small Star-Bulletin logo where the pocket would have been, and “StarBulletin.com” in small letters on the right sleeve.
Bids can be emailed to me [ian(at)iLind.net]. Highest bid received by Monday noon (Hawaii time) gets the shirt. No charge for delivery.
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Isn’t it a tad bit ironic that the employees of the largest media organization in the state failed to realize that the timing of their rally would be completely overshadowed by Obama’s arrival?
I’m sure they knew that. The union has had a number of rallies already. I suspect the media covers one of ’em and that’s it.
Sort of like the Pac Beach Hotel struggle. They are picketing the hotel at least a few times a week but you don’t see media coverage of every picket.
Obviously the unions didn’t choose this day for their rally. It was the final day of work for those being laid off. The day was chosen by Gannett. Being overshadowed by Obama was likely just what they wanted, although likely could not have anticipated.
post a picture of the shirt
I was a Star Bulletin paperboy in Lanikai, 1960’s.
send me the shirt free and ya won’t haveta go thru the trouble of posting a pic of it.
and is there a starting bid and a reserve?