![Management at the Chronicle Herald has rejected concessions offered by the Halifax Typographical Union, who have filed a 48 hour strike notice. [Photo: airstrikes.wordpress.com]](../../sites/mediacoop.ca/files2/mc/imagecache/bigimg/on-strike-sign1.jpg "Management at the Chronicle Herald has rejected concessions offered by the Halifax Typographical Union, who have filed a 48 hour strike notice. [Photo: airstrikes.wordpress.com]")
KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) -- The situation appears strike-bound for the 61 unionized members of the Halifax Typographical Union (HTU) at the Chronicle Herald, where today, according to an HTU press release, management at the Herald rejected a number of concessions.
These concessions, according to the press release, and confirmed in an interview with HTU vice-president Frank Campbell, included:
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An immediate five per cent wage cut across the board and no wage increases for the next two years.
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A 25 per cent reduction in starting salaries for new reporters and photographers.
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Placing a cap on severance.
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Reducing the mileage rate by 17 per cent.
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Reducing vacation allotment
“The company said it wasn't enough,” says Campbell. “They told us that as of 12:01am Saturday, they would impose the conditions of their last proposal.”
The move allows Herald management to avoid a 'lockout' of employees, offering them the opportunity to work under a rejected contracted. In response, the HTU has filed a 48 hour strike notice.
Interestingly, the HTU press release goes on to note that the unionized member of the HTU intend on starting up a new website, called 'Local Xpress', where, theoretically, journalists on strike at the Herald will continue to practice their craft of journalism.
“We'll probably be busy picketing,” says Campbell. “But we have sixty one pretty talented people and we expect that we can write stories that will probably read better and serve readers than the people who will be scabbing for the Chronicle Herald.”
