The Herald Now Operating With Reduced Staff

Empty desks at The Herald (credit: Jordan Hansen on X)

It started with Mississippi-based Carpenter Media announcing they were cutting the staff in half, followed by Everett News Guild strikes, and a month of waiting and bargaining. Finally, Everett Herald staff have received closure. August 1st was the last day for much of the staff.

The Everett News Guild made the following statements on X:

Everett Herald News Staff Gather for One Last Picture (credit: EverettGuild on X)

“We bargained tirelessly for a month, but Carpenter Media simply refused to spare any jobs. We were, however, able to negotiate optional buyouts, increased severance packages and raises for remaining staff.

We remain hopeful that the workers in this newsroom will *someday* receive the living wage they deserve while having the time and resources to provide the in-depth journalism Snohomish County needs. But our members just don’t see that happening under Carpenter’s business model.

We owe endless thanks to everyone in the community who has supported us these past few months, and especially those who have had our backs since the beginning! The support we saw on the picket line, in our letters to the editor and even in our daily lives has been astonishing.

And though many of us are departing today, Herald journalists — past, present and future — will continue to fight for a fair contract. We will never stop pursuing what’s best for the Daily Herald, its staff and its readers.”

The one person who was able to retain their job after being layed off is Aaron Coe, who writes: “In a stunning turn of events, I’ve gone from laid off sports reporter to sports editor at The Everett Herald. I’m excited to get started on Monday!.”