Strong union for Herald news room will protect its journalism

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Voluntarily recognizing The Herald’s union is a stepping stone toward a stronger democratic and civic life in Snohomish County.

The Herald’s staff have been writing and telling award-winning stories about what has been going on all around us in politics, culture, economy, sports and crime for 120 years. Over the past decades newsrooms have been decimated with corporate consolidation, costs of living have grown drastically higher than wages, which have driven great journalists from the profession in order to make a living. This has created a culture of dispensability, increased demands on overworked staff, and at the end of the day a disservice to the people of Snohomish County. Our county loses when great talents who keep us informed, who have institutional knowledge of our local governments, who know the decision makers, are no longer shining light on what is happening and holding people accountable.

Recognize the union of the Everett Herald newsroom and go against the tide of a dying democratic and civic life happening in communities across the country and for the workers’ love of the profession that does a huge public service to the people of this county.

Jose Mariscal

Everett