It looks like Stephens Media Group, owners of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, is living up to its anti-labor reputation. Big time.
This just in from former Big Island reporter Dave Smith:
a heads-up on a serious change at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. This past week it notified its employees that as of Dec. 22 it will be canceling the union contract and will no longer be recognizing the Hawaii Newspaper Guild’s jurisdiction there.
The companhy and the Newspaper Guild have been unable to reach an agreement on a new contract after more than four years of negotiations.
Last year, the NLRB ruled that Stephens had violated federal labor laws by firing reporters active in the Guild.
I don’t know what legal recourse the Guild has at this point. Is a strike next?
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And in other unreported labor news that could affect Hawaii:
NEW YORK, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Gannett Co Inc (GCI.N), the largest U.S. newspaper publisher, will furlough workers in its U.S. local newspaper division to save money as advertising revenue declines.
In a separate action, USA Today, Gannett’s largest newspaper, is also cutting 26 newsroom positions, according to a memo obtained by Reuters. USA Weekend is cutting 11 jobs. The memo was sent to employees on Tuesday.
The furloughs, which will last up to a week depending on the employees, affect workers at Gannett’s local papers around the United States, according to a separate memo. Corporate employees and some workers at its digital unit will also be affected.