The Chronicle Herald's newsroom union members have walked off the job, starting a strike at Canada's oldest independently owned newspaper.
The union and management were in position for a strike or lockout as of midnight Friday.
At least 20 newsroom staff were gathered outside the Herald building on Joseph Howe Drive ahead of the midnight deadline, said Francis Campbell, vice president of the Halifax Typographical Union.
"We're all in this together," Campbell said.
"We're looking for a fair deal and we're not going anywhere until we get one."
About 2 dozen newsroom staff in front of CH on Joe Howe right now #canlab http://pic.twitter.com/zQazKZBn18
— @HTU_official
Imposed contract forces strike, union says
"It's very difficult to say how long it will take," Campbell said.
Union executives spoke with company representatives throughout the day via text messages and emails, Campbell said. He said the union offered to not strike and continue negotiations into the weekend — if management agreed not to impose its contract.
Ingrid Bulmer, president of the Halifax Typographical Union, said both sides were trying to avoid a work stoppage.
"They have told us they will not lock us out, but will impose their contract proposal — which we have rejected — which will force a strike," Bulmer said around 10 p.m. Friday.
The union includes 61 reporters, editors, photographers, columnists and support staff.
The Chronicle Herald removed bylines after a byline strike by the union in recent weeks. (Rachel Ward/CBC)
History of disputes
The newspaper, the oldest independently owned one in Canada, has a history of disputes around collective agreement negotiating.
Last year the company locked out its employees who printed the paper. The newsroom has had two rounds of layoffs, one in the fall of 2014 and the other in 2009.
Wednesday management rejected a last-minute offer from the union, which including reducing wages by five per cent and cutting vacation time.
'All job offers considered'
Many reporters, editors and photojournalists employed by the Herald changed their profile photos to the union's logo in preparation for a work stoppage. Several removed reference to the Herald from their Twitter profiles.
"A proud member of @HTU_official," reads the profile of Stephen Forest. "Long live the newspaper."
"Soon-to-be-laid-off digital news editor @chronicleherald," reads that of Pam Sword. "All job offers considered. DM me."
Mark Lever, president and CEO of the Herald, said in a letter last week there would be changes, including layoffs in photography, editorial and page design departments.
Lever and Nancy Cook, vice president administration, did not respond to CBC's interview requests Friday.
The CBC's Canadian Media Guild belongs to the same parent union, CWA Canada.
What may be last shift at CH newsroom before a strike/lockout. #solidarity #canlab Photo by @PhotoGeek59 http://pic.twitter.com/NuB2w3cIVq
— @HTU_official
*Refreshes email.* *Wonders if has job tomorrow.*
— @fwillick
Last time my desk was this clean was my first day at @chronicleherald Sept. 26, 2011. Not sure when I'll be back. http://pic.twitter.com/aO1oBwbi6t
— @RemoZaccagna
Just got home from cleaning out my belongings at the Herald newsroom before likely work stoppage. 32 years condensed into 1 box.#solidarity
— @Steve_Courts
My box is packed, I'm ready to go .. Don't know when I'll be back again. .. http://pic.twitter.com/AuFhq5zT9B
— @PamJSword
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