SEATTLE, Wash. — More turmoil for local journalists at the Bellingham Herald as the paper’s parent company says “no” to cost of living raises.
The Washington State NewsGuild issued a release saying that all journalists in McClatchy newsrooms received word from the company’s VP of News pledging to institute a minimum salary in all newsrooms to reflect the rising cost of living by March 1.
The NewsGuild says McClatchy has announced its intent to withhold these raises from Washington journalists, claiming that the journalists’ union drive is standing in the way.
Journalists of the NewsGuild are calling on McClatchy to release the funds, which they say would be potentially life changing as they face the risk of not being able to afford to live in the communities that they serve.
They say the total cost to the company would be less than $50,000 per year.