The Everett Herald Saga Continues EverettGuild Members Striking on Monday

The Everett Herald, owned by Carpenter Media Group, faces a significant upheaval after laying off 55% of its workforce, including 10 of 18 guild members. This drastic decision has left employees and the community in shock, prompting a planned one-day strike on June 24 by the Everett NewsGuild to protest the layoffs and a newly implemented quota system. The system evaluates journalists based on quantity rather than quality, raising concerns about journalistic integrity. Isabella Breda, a former Herald reporter, emphasized the legal implications, citing potential violations of federal labor laws that require negotiations with unions before layoffs. Furthermore, if the WARN Act has been breached, affected employees could be entitled to back pay and benefits for up to 60 days.

The strike will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM, starting at the intersection of Colby & Hewitt and ending near the Herald office. In a show of solidarity, Breda has organized a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised $6,755 of its $8,000 goal to support those affected. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between media management and staff regarding workplace policies and practices.