Cape Breton Post under fire for delivering Chronicle Herald during strike

A new deal between the parent companies of the Cape Breton Post and Chronicle Herald means Post drivers and carriers are delivering both newspapers, and that has caused a backlash in Sydney, N.S.

As of Thursday, Chronicle Herald workers have been on strike for 14 months.

This week, the Post took over the contract to deliver the Herald throughout the CBRM and in a small part of Victoria County.

"We're just not happy that the Cape Breton Post owners — Transcontinental Media — decided to deliver a scab-produced newspaper," said striking Herald reporter Tom Ayers while picketing outside the Post's headquarters Wednesday.

'Just trying to raise awareness'

Ayers said the picket was not directed at unionized Post staff, who, like the striking Herald workers, belong to the Communication Workers of America.

"We're not upset with the union. They have no choice," said Ayers.

"But the general public doesn't realize that the same unionized drivers that deliver the Cape Breton Post are now delivering a scab-produced product so we're just trying to raise awareness."

Subscription cancellations

Local union activist Juanita MacKeigan has been drawing attention to the delivery change on social media.

She announced her decision to cancel her subscription in a Facebook post, and encouraged others to contact Transcontinental management to voice their concerns.

"I've been a subscriber with the Cape Breton Post for 37 years," she said. "I can't with a good heart keep subscribing."

Both Herald and Post management say the delivery agreement has nothing to do with the ongoing labour dispute.

"It's just an efficiency," said Ian Scott, the Herald's chief operating officer. 

He said Chronicle Herald employees have been delivering Transcontinental-owned newspapers in other parts of the province for years.

Industry trend

The change reflects an industry trend as newspapers face financial pressures, said Richard Russell, director of distribution and circulation for Transcontinental in Atlantic Canada.

He said Transcontinental did consider the optics of taking over the Herald delivery during the contract dispute, but the deal couldn't wait.

"The contract was coming up for renewal or review, and the date was the date, we had to move on it," he said.

'People have very strong opinions'

The Post's management have heard from about 10 people threatening to cancel their subscriptions, Russell said.

The paper's unionized staff have also heard about those threats.  

"Cape Breton is certainly a labour island, there's no question about that. So people have very strong opinions," said Steve MacInnis, president of the Post's union.

The union is not impressed with the decision, he said, but it's hoping any damage can be minimized.

"There's 50 unionized people here who live and support the community," said MacInnis.

"And, you know, if our bottom line goes down because of this then we're hurt, and that's going to hurt the rest of the island as well."