Black Press rejects Cowichan compromise as workers resign

DUNCAN, B.C. (Sept. 3, 2026) — Workers at the Cowichan Valley Citizen say a recent breakdown in bargaining, and the departure of key staff, highlights the growing strain placed on local journalism by American-managed Black Press, and its unwillingness to address low wages and poor working conditions. 

Editorial, circulation, and sales employees represented by the Victoria–Vancouver Island Newspaper Guild (CWA Canada Local 30223), met with Black Press on Aug. 14 and presented a significant compromise to reach a deal. 

The union accepted all elements of the company’s existing offer, including withdrawing union proposals to improve benefits, mileage and cell phone allowances – removing substantial cost items in an effort to get agreement. 

The revised offer included just two additions: 

▪ For sales staff, a one-time $750 lump sum payment in lieu of retro pay and the same two-per-cent increases that the company proposed for other employees.

▪ For the sole circulation employee, a targeted adjustment to bring wages closer to a living standard, alongside a one-time $750 lump sum payment. 

“The goal was simple: find a path to settlement,” VVING President Karen Sparks said. “We moved substantially toward the company. What we proposed was measured, affordable, and focused on the workers who have fallen furthest behind.” 

The company rejected both proposals. Instead, it maintained its position of zero increases for current sales staff, who have not received an increase since 2023, offering only a one-time $1,000 lump sum payment and proposing no improvements for circulation. 

To date, one sales employee and the lone circulation employee have resigned, citing unsustainable pay and working conditions. 

“These are not abstract bargaining positions, these are real people leaving jobs because they can’t afford to stay,” Sparks said. “When workers feel forced to walk away from community journalism because they cannot sustain themselves, the community loses with them.” 

The breakdown comes despite sustained efforts to reach a deal. VVING members voted unanimously in favour of strike action on May 15, but the union continued to bargain and sought mediation to avoid a labour dispute. The company declined to participate in mediation. After months without meaningful movement, the union issued strike notice effective Aug. 13 and has since engaged in limited strike action while remaining available to return to the table. The compromise proposal presented on Aug. 14 was the union’s latest attempt to get agreement. 

The union is also pushing back on claims made by the company in a recent public statement suggesting it has offered significant wage increases to sales staff. Workers say those claims are misleading and do not reflect the reality of what was proposed. 

The company proposed either freezing compensation at 2023 levels or lowering the current hourly wage for sales employees while restructuring commissions in a way that workers say would reduce overall earnings. A higher commission rate is tied to conditions that have not been achievable in this market, making the proposed gains largely theoretical. 

“Under their proposal, workers in sales would either see their wages frozen or their guaranteed income reduced,” Sparks said. “Framing that as a raise is simply disingenuous.” 

The union says it remains ready to return to the bargaining table but is calling on the company to meaningfully engage with the reality facing its workforce. 

“This newspaper plays an essential role in the Cowichan Valley,” Sparks said. “But local journalism cannot survive if the people who produce it, deliver it, and fund it through advertising are pushed out by low wages and disregard.” 

The dispute comes amid broader concerns about the direction of the company, which is managed by U.S.-based Carpenter Media Group. Workers say decisions made by U.S.-based executives are undermining the viability of local news in places like Duncan. 

“Community journalism depends on community-based solutions,” Sparks added. “Right now, we’re seeing the consequences of decisions made by a company that has no stake in this community.” 

Media Contact: 

Karen Sparks 

President, Victoria-Vancouver Island Newspaper Guild (VVING)

EMAIL: vving@vving.ca