Spring Break
Journalists react to Post byline strike
Burnice Cain and Ryan Fox
Issue date: 10/3/02 Section: VARIETY
Bret Zongker, senior journalism major and editor-in-chief at American University's The Eagle said," I'm impressed by their choice of protest. The only thing a journalist has is his or her name and credibility. They are still performing their jobs and providing a public service while making a big statement. There is a spirit in journalism is that the work is more important than the money, yet I hope they get what they want. "
However, Post management sources, point out that unlike some other newspapers, The Post had not laid off workers in response to the advertising recession that has hit the industry.
The guaranteed pay increases offered by The Post, the Guild says, would average 1.3 percent a year; the first year's payment would be given as a lump sum, which would not be counted in base pay, the figure on which future percentage increases would be calculated.
Erik Wemple, Editor-in-Chief at the City Paper said, "There is merit on both ends. The [median salary] is inflated by all-star writers (meaning columnists and other syndicated writers). But a great number of [employees] get a merit pay raise."
However, Wemple, the Department of Media Writer said, " I don't think [the strike] bites the Post on the ass. It doesn’t hit them in the pocket. But, it does change the complexion of the paper."
While The Post is not protesting on Sunday, a day that generates the highest revenue and circulation for the paper because writers reserve their best work for that day, the possibility looms if an agreement cannot be achieved.
"While we hope we won't have to [resort] to hitting Sunday's Paper, we will if we have too," said Weiss. " We've already asked a lot of our writers."
Contact Burnice Cain and Ryan Fox at District_Chronicles@hotmail.com.
However, Post management sources, point out that unlike some other newspapers, The Post had not laid off workers in response to the advertising recession that has hit the industry.
The guaranteed pay increases offered by The Post, the Guild says, would average 1.3 percent a year; the first year's payment would be given as a lump sum, which would not be counted in base pay, the figure on which future percentage increases would be calculated.
Erik Wemple, Editor-in-Chief at the City Paper said, "There is merit on both ends. The [median salary] is inflated by all-star writers (meaning columnists and other syndicated writers). But a great number of [employees] get a merit pay raise."
However, Wemple, the Department of Media Writer said, " I don't think [the strike] bites the Post on the ass. It doesn’t hit them in the pocket. But, it does change the complexion of the paper."
While The Post is not protesting on Sunday, a day that generates the highest revenue and circulation for the paper because writers reserve their best work for that day, the possibility looms if an agreement cannot be achieved.
"While we hope we won't have to [resort] to hitting Sunday's Paper, we will if we have too," said Weiss. " We've already asked a lot of our writers."
Contact Burnice Cain and Ryan Fox at District_Chronicles@hotmail.com.