Chronicle Herald journalists enter 7th month of strike

After six months, the Chronicle Herald unionized employees and management still haven't settled a dispute over contract changes. 

Unionized employees of the Chronicle Herald newsroom began the strike on Jan. 23.

The administration of the daily newspaper is standing firm on its demands, instead hiring temporary workers to replace the strikers. 

To mark half a year on strike, members of the Halifax Typographical Union marched in Saturday's Halifax Pride parade. 

"It's a question more or less to show our support for the principle of diversity, but also to maintain a certain visibility," striking editor Laurent Le Pierrès said.

"We are afraid that the more the conflict lasts, the more we will be forgotten."

"We want to go back to do our job and do it properly, not like it's being done now," striking feature editor Bill Spurr said.

"We're willing to stay out as long as it takes."

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'Strong and united'

The union lost five members since the beginning of the strike, but those who persevere say they will not give up.

"We are not yet at that point. We are still standing strong and united — we must say that picketing is easier in summer than in winter," Le Pierrès said.

"The newspaper seems to want to get rid of half the newsroom. It will take a long time to get rid of 56 people."

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