Postmedia announces Saltwire layoffs; union will enforce seniority and severance obligations

Postmedia has wasted no time in cutting jobs as it takes control of Saltwire Network Inc., continuing it’s long sorry tradition of slashing local media.

The company announced layoffs yesterday and today, including at least three editors and one reporter at the already-decimated Halifax Chronicle Herald.

CWA Canada and our Nova Scotia Locals (Halifax Typographical Union and Sydney Typographical Union) cannot stop layoffs, which are at the sole discretion of the employer. But we will ensure that our collective agreements are respected, including seniority and severance provisions.

“I’d like to share our sympathy for colleagues who have received layoff notices,” CWA Canada President Carmel Smyth said in a note to members. “We know losing a job can be one of the most stressful and demoralizing life events.”

“Our lawyers and union staff continue to make protecting our members a priority every day.”

The union has impressed upon the company the importance of respecting the experience, judgment and ability that comes with years of service. Postmedia has agreed to follow this principle of seniority as outlined in our collective agreements.

Over 60 staff have lost their jobs so far, while nearly 300 remain employed by Saltwire until it’s decided if they will be hired by Postmedia

Postmedia CEO Andrew MacLeod said readers shouldn’t expect big changes in their local newspapers and promises a ‘stable and viable’ model moving forward. 

Postmedia acquired the much of the assets of the Saltwire, Atlantic Canada’s largest media company, for $1 million. The company has been under court-ordered protection from creditors who were owed more than $90 million.

CWA Canada represents workers at nine Postmedia newspapers across the country, and at four Saltwire properties: Halifax Chronicle Herald, Cape Breton Post, Charlottetown Guardian, and Summerside Pioneer Journal.