In 2007, Arlington Heights IL’s Daily Herald conducted layoffs for the first time in its then-135-year history.
Over the last 10 years, employees of the suburban newspaper saw their wages reduced by at least 15% and their work week reduced to 36.5 hours. During that same approximate period, employees experienced eight rounds of buyouts and/or combination buyouts and layoffs, culminating Aug. 10, with the dismissal of 12 Daily Herald employees.
In response, an overwhelming majority of the editorial staff – whose combined experience totals more than 500 years – announced the establishment of the Daily Herald News Guild to secure competitive wages and pay equity, transparency, a strong voice in the future of their newsroom and the ability to continue reporting on the suburban communities the paper has served for more than 150 years.