We are writing to thank the Alberta Federation of Labour and unionists across the province for the tremendous support you have given us during our eight-month dispute at the Calgary Herald.

On June 30, the Calgary Herald offered CEP members a buy-out package, conditional on decertification of the union or, a return to the bargaining table.

Our members, many of whom could not tolerate the thought of working again for a Calgary Herald managed by the current bullies, chose the package. Those who wish to return to the Herald may do so, without a collective agreement.

The choice was a difficult one for most. However, it was democratically made through a secret ballot, and the CEP respects the outcome.

This strike was about editorial integrity, dignity and our members’ right to take a stand for excellence in journalism. It was about our right to have a union to protect us when we did question the ethics of the Herald’s journalism. We did not fail. We exposed the arrogance of Conrad Black and his Hollinger Inc. We exposed local management who chose tactics of intimidation instead of communication. And, we exposed a newspaper that places political expediency before fairness, accuracy and balance. We are proud of our accomplishments.

We fought long and hard. We endured picket-line firings, police harassment, and company misinformation campaigns. We picketed through the dead of winter and handleafleted almost the entire city of Calgary. We built tremendous community support, but in the end it was not enough to win against an owner who was prepared to spend whatever it took to destroy the union.

The greatest tragedy was the support Conrad Black received from the Alberta Government of Ralph Klein and the Alberta Labour Relations Board. Even when we won, the employer ignored the Board’s decisions and continued harassment. For example, one of our members was fired for placing two stickers on Calgary Herald boxes. We won a decision at the Labour Board and our member was ordered reinstated. Within hours, the employer fired him on another complaint.

No one was happy about the outcome of this dispute, but given the attitude of the company, we were not surprised by the choice we were left with. Many among us are so offended by this corporation that we cannot contemplate returning to work for it. Others, because of circumstances, must now face a return to the workplace without the protection of the union. We believe, however, that we all move on with a deep appreciation and respect for the labour movement in this country and its astonishing solidarity with us.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your members for the tremendous outpouring of support we received. Without it we could not have waged the fight we did, for as long as we did. We could not have exposed Conrad Black’s ugly agenda for the media in Canada.

One of the unexpected outcomes of this dispute is that a group of journalists have experienced first hand the disdain employers, lawmakers and law enforcers in Alberta have for working people. It is an experience that none will ever forget.

Thank you again for your incredible support, we know we have a moral debt to pay, and, as one of our members wrote, "I will never again pass a picket line with just a toot and a wave. I will stop and get out and walk the line."

In solidarity,
Andy Marshall,
President, CEP Local 115A

(For union executive members: David Climenhaga, Laura Shutiak, Jim Cunningham, Susan Mate, Terry Inigo-Jones, Susan Scott).