The Chronicle Herald could see strike or lockout in 2 weeks

The largest independently owned newspaper in Canada likely will see a work stoppage within two weeks.

The Chronicle Herald and the Halifax Typographical Union have reached an impasse, noted in a final report by the government conciliator filed to the provincial labour department Friday.

That report's filing triggersa countdown to a work stoppage after 14 days, meaning either a strike or lockout could happen startingJanuary23.

"Mysuspicionis that we will be locked out," union vice president Frank Campbell said on the phone from Truro, N.S., Saturday.

"That was the company's agenda from the get go.They are keen on making these changes and they obviously suspected that we wouldn't comply with them."

The newspaper has a history of contract disputes. Last Februarythe company locked out employees that printthe paper. It also previously reducednewsroom staffin 2014 and 2009.

Replacement reporters sought, union says

The union says this time,management hasproposed a17 per cent pay cut and to lay off a thirdof newsroom staff,including editors, web editors and all the photographers.

"We are worried about the company's direction because they seem to be going toward what they call custom content sort of 'advertorial'stuff or sponsored contentinstead of objective content from news reporters," Campbell said.

"This, I think, is troublesome for anyone who reads a newspaper or likes to get news that they can trust."

He says the union has heard from freelance journalists who saymanagement asked them toreplace reporters during a lockout or strike.

The conciliator will hold two more days of negotiations,a "last ditch effort" to prevent a work stoppage, Campbell said.

Demands 'reflective' of all media, Herald says

In a press release Friday, Herald management saidthe changes being sought "are reflective of changes happening at media companies throughout North America."

Nancy Cook, vice president of administration, said in the release the company wantsto reach an agreement before a work stoppage.

Cook could not be reached immediately Saturday for an interview.

The company had reached an impasse in part because "the union never responded to the company's monetary proposals," her release said.

Strike vote coming

The lead negotiator for the union disputes Cook's version.

Management presented a final offer of more than 200 individual contract changes,saidDavid Wilson, a representative of the CommunicationWorkersof America, of which the Halifax Typographical Union is Local 30130.

"They don't seem to understand the word compromise," Wilsonsaid.

"They can say all they want, 'They didn't get a response'...A final offer is your final position."

The union is holding a membership meeting Jan. 16 and mayhold a strike vote at that time, he said.