Strike at Everett Herald continues as owners plan layoffs

EVERETT – Unionized employees of the news magazine The Daily Herald continued their strike for the second day in a row on Tuesday, protesting layoffs that could affect about half of the editorial staff.

On Tuesday, cars honked as about a dozen news workers waved signs at the corner of 41st Street and Colby Avenue, near the Herald’s newsroom.

Todd Carpenter, chairman of Mississippi-based Carpenter Media Group, said the staff cuts were intended to ensure the long-term stability of Snohomish County’s main news source. Carpenter’s plan called for laying off 10 of the Everett NewsGuild’s 18 staffers, as well as two managing editors.

“Carpenter has done nothing productive since he wreaked havoc on our newsroom last week,” Ryan Berry, one of two photographers fired from a three-person photo team, said in a written statement.

In an interview, Berry added: “The only action they have taken is to cut more than half the editorial staff.”

Layoffs cannot take effect until the company has negotiated with the union. Union members claimed the company was wasting time. The company responded on Tuesday by offering to meet and negotiate by the end of the week.

“We value open communication and are committed to treating these matters with the seriousness they deserve,” said Josh O’Connor, senior vice president of Carpenter Media Group. “We are willing to discuss how we can support our employees and continue to provide our readers with high-quality, credible local news.”

On Monday, about 50 people participated in a march down Colby Avenue from downtown Everett to the Herald’s offices.

Employees said they felt empowered by the community support.

Last week, the Herald’s editorial page was flooded with letters to the editor: “Cuts to newspapers and staff are a great loss for everyone,” “The Herald does not deserve to be bled dry,” “The owners of the Herald do not know what is being cut.”

Former Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson weighed in, saying Carpenter’s stated goals of better serving the community while cutting staff were “in conflict.” He suggested a community-based advisory group to help guide the paper’s future.

“Open, honest journalism and investigative reporting are key to a well-functioning government,” Stephanson wrote.

A “strike fund” to support striking workers had raised over $12,000 by Tuesday.

Editor’s note: This article was reviewed by local management prior to publication.

Caleb Hutton: 360-689-5723; [email protected]. Twitter: @snocaleb.

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