Nova Scotia's journalism strike is over--but don't celebrate too much: CAJ
OTTAWA, Aug. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Nova Scotians should celebrate the return of journalists to the Chronicle-Herald newsroom after 18 months on the picket line, but they need to know half of the journalists who worked at the newspaper before the protracted labour dispute won't return—and that will mean important stories go untold.
The CBC reported only 25 of the 61 newsroom staff who originally went on strike will return to the Chronicle-Herald (nine people moved onto other opportunities over the course of the dispute, and another individual will transfer to the Cape Breton Post).
"The CAJ would love nothing more than to breathe a sigh of relief and be happy about longtime reporters, editors and photographers returning to work they love," said CAJ President Nick Taylor-Vaisey. "But the truth is those who remain will be overworked and struggle to fully tell the breadth of stories that readers deserve."
Tim Krochak, a former staff photographer who will take up a new role as a multimedia journalist, told the CBC he's "very conflicted" about the deal, but he's also "very blessed" to continue to do "the best job in the world."
Krochak's comments represent an increasingly common view among journalists in Canada's newsrooms, said Taylor-Vaisey. "Nova Scotians rely on journalists like Krochak to report the news they need to know," he said. "He'll do outstanding work, but he and his colleagues can only do so much."
The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing nearly 600 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy.
SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists
Nick Taylor-Vaisey, CAJ president, 647-968-2393 (cell), [email protected]
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