Gazette staff ready to strike if needed
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 | 2:21 PM ET
CBC News
The union representing about 200 workers at the Montreal Gazette says it is prepared to carry through a strike mandate if necessary.
The Montreal Newspaper Guild voted in favour of a strike mandate in September.
About 200 editorial, sales and advertising staff have been working without a contract since June 2008.
The key issue is CanWest Global Communications' decision to transfer page layout duties to a non-unionized shop in Hamilton, Ont., said union vice-president Irwin Block.
"We feel that this is an open door for losing local control of our newspaper, and it could entail serious job losses down the road," he told CBC Tuesday night.
The union hopes to avoid a strike pending two "crucial" meetings with management Thursday and Friday, Block said.
Reporters have been withholding their bylines since last week as a protest measure.
