Testimonials
For decades, the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald have served as a launching pad for some of the best journalists in the country. While some have retired from the profession, many others continue to work as journalists and editors in other publications. Today, they tell us why they support One Herald Guild.
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More than a decade ago, corporate-ordered staff reductions and pay cuts, and ill-advised local management decisions, began to decimate the Miami Herald. Jobs got outsourced to foreign countries. Unpaid furloughs played havoc with workers' budgets and morale. Quality control became an afterthought.
Some of the country's finest journalists found themselves on the street - in their 40s, 50s and 60s. Others had little choice but to accept demeaning demotions to click-bait assignments, their years of beat expertise deemed irrelevant - while corporate executives got bonuses for saving the company money.
Employees suffered. Readers suffered. The Herald brand suffered. All workers deserve union protection, but none more than journalists who, under constant attack, render small daily miracles in service of democracy. I support the unionizing effort with all my heart and soul.
ELINOR BRECHER, Author
employed at the HERALD: 1989-2013
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Although I left The Miami Herald in 1998, the colleagues I worked with during those years stand out as the most courageous, conscientious and talented group of people I have ever worked with. What they brought to the office every day was worth far more than their salaries; but journalists heed a higher calling. Yet, I have continued to hear about layoffs and buyouts that rob the newspaper not only of valuable voices, but the incalculable contribution that Miami Herald readers have come to expect—and deserve.
Even while I was still a reporter, I remember the day someone posted everyone’s salaries on the wall—which led to anger, resentment and confusion that never should have existed because a system of fairness and balance should have been in place.
All professionals deserve protections in the workplace, and a Guild at the Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald is long overdue to ensure that the readers of South Florida (and the company customers) receive the thoughtful coverage they deserve, can consistently recruit talented voices, and honor longtime workers whose hearts and souls have made these newspapers a trusted South Florida staple for generations.”
TANANARIVE DUE, award-winning writer
EMployed at the HERALD: 1981-1998
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I worked at the non-union Miami Herald for 7 years and at The Baltimore Sun, a Guild paper, for 7 years. During my time there, each newspaper won two Pulitzer Prizes along with major national awards for reporting overseas, covering the environment, exposing public corruption, illuminating local injustice, and powerful visual storytelling. You may hear that a union will weaken the outstanding journalism that makes us all proud to be Herald alums.
I can tell you that is not true. I have seen The Guild win key battles for individual members and for all the employees, while doing more than its share to keep morale up and produce terrific journalism. I know this from experience: a strong union is good for the newspaper and good for the community.”
HEATHER DEWAR, FREELANCE writer
employed at the HERALD: 1988-1994
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Newspapers are a partnership, and it’s past time that Miami Herald journalists had a seat at the decision-making table. Best of luck to my former colleagues in gaining your voice. This should have come 25 years ago.
TRACIE CONE, FORMER JOURNALIST
employed at the HERALD: 1987-1993
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I fully support my former Miami Herald colleagues in their efforts to form One Herald Guild. Miami is a complex, diverse community and deserves quality journalism delivered by employees who are treated with the professional respect they deserve. That means fair wages and fair working conditions. It's a tragic state of affairs for our democracy that the newspaper business is under pernicious assault from corporate mandates that steadily diminish and demean quality journalism. This practice insults readers, who finally drop their subscriptions, and drives away advertisers.
I am very proud to have worked as a free-lance art journalist and art critic at the Miami Herald from 1986 to 2007. At one point I was offered a full-time position but then that offer was rescinded. Nevertheless, I was always proud to be part of the Miami Herald team, especially when it was a Knight Ridder paper.
Yes, I realize we can't go back to the past, but I think One Herald Guild can only add value to a precious resource for Miami before that resource disappears as have too many other newspapers in this country.”
ELISA TURNER, FREELANCE writer
EMployed at the HERALD: 1986-2007
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I remember the time at the Miami Herald when I had worked four weeks of back to back 16-hour days with no day off and was told that I was not entitled to any extended comp time, because as a salaried correspondent, 'you work until the job is done.' I fought for the time off, but I remember thinking how badly the Miami Herald needed union representation and wishing that I had the courage to initiate such a drive to join the Newspaper Guild. Congratulations to my former Herald colleagues for this long overdue move. I support One Herald Guild and wish the union and the Herald the best of success working together on amazing journalism.”
FRANCES ROBLES, REPORTER, THE NEW YORK TIMES
EMployed at the HERALD: 1993-2012
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As a former longtime employee of The Miami Herald, I’d like to support my former colleagues in their quest to form One Herald Guild. I only wish the guild had been around when my part-time copy-editing job was yanked away almost 2 years ago. I was offered a full-time position, but with a cut in my hourly wage. And that was after years of zero raises. Our country needs superior journalism more than ever; I’m proud to support Miami Herald reporters and editors.”
HEIDI WILSON, former journalist
Employed at the HERALD: 1988-2017
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I have always been super proud of the exceptional journalism coming out of the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, then and now. Yet, this proud alum also fully supports the current staff on their unionization effort because fair and equitable pay is so fundamental – the Herald needs to get it right. All the dedicated, hard-working journalists deserve a wage they can live in Miami on – regardless of when they were hired or which publication they primarily work for.
NANCY DAHLBERG, FREELANCE writer
employed at the HERALD: 1987-2017
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I spent most of my journalism career at The Miami Herald — 33 years in total — until 2017. During that time I was fortunate to work with the most talented, hardworking and courageous people I know, but this hasn't stopped the layoffs, buyouts and pay cuts that have decimated the newsroom and threatened coverage. Unfortunately these drastic changes haven't always been transparent or fair or logical. Reporters need and deserve the protection of a union, so I'm excited to read about the possibility for one. It's been long time coming.
Ana veciana-suarez, creative Writing fellow
EMPLoyed at the HERALD: 1984-2017
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I believe a union, built upon the shared mission of its members, is necessary to strengthen, guard and give voice to its greatest treasure: journalists. I applaud the gallant efforts of my former Miami Herald colleagues in launching One Herald Guild. Wishing you great success and great journalism.
AUDRA BURCH, New York times national reporter
EMPLoyed at the HERALD: 1996-2017
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It’s natural for employers to keep their costs of doing business as low as they’re able. That’s how they keep profit margins up, stockholders happy and management bonuses high. When they over-reach by over-cutting staff and support, as McClatchy does, other costs rise less tangibly but inevitably: Product quality declines. At a newspaper, coverage diminishes, subscribers drop out, advertisers see limited value and cancel contracts.
Workers motivated more by ideals than by money become fatigued, demoralized and ineffective. Nobody’s protecting them. They have to protect themselves-- not individually because that obviously doesn’t work, but collectively because that does work. The staffs of the Miami Herald and El Nuevo need to unionize now, because later will be too late.
ARNOLD MARKOWITZ, RETIRed
employed at the HERALD: 1967-2001
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Go amazing Miami Herald staffers! Rooting for every one of you in this courageous, well-deserved move! I was a Herald reporter from 1987-1995, in the Palm Beach, Broward and Miami. All the best to everyone!”
DON VAN NATTA JR., senior writer, ESPN
employed at the HERALD: 1987-1995
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The Miami Herald is an institution that for decades has been regarded as a leader for journalism excellence in Florida, the Caribbean and South America. I was proud to be part of that team because it was set apart by the caliber of its journalists and the unity of its newsroom.
But the industry has changed, and the reality is that journalists must be prepared for the future. Therefore I support my former colleagues and One Herald Guild as it seeks to continue the long legacy of excellence the Herald has always stood for.
The community and the paper will be a better place if its journalists have a chance to play an active role in the decisions that will shape the publication for the decades to come. And I support them in their effort to do it the way the Herald has always done things best — as one team, together.”
CHABELI HERRERA, REPORTER, ORLANDO SENTINEL
employed at the HERALD: 2013-2018
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Reporters are the soul of a newspaper and The Miami Herald has lost too many over the years. It’s time for that to stop. And if unionizing is the way to keep more reporters at the paper –more of its soul intact — I wholeheartedly endorse the historic organizing effort underway. I say this as a resident of Miami, a Miami Herald reader since I was a kid (I still remember that first Miami Herald news story I couldn’t stop reading when I was in 8th grade) and as a Herald alum who worked from 2003-2015 in its Tallahassee bureau, the downtown Miami office and then the new Doral headquarters.
No one should fault the Herald’s current management in Miami for any of its woes, and I would hope that management and editors don’t see the push for unionizing as a rejection of their leadership. It’s not. It’s time, however, for people like me to lend their voice and support to the paper’s reporters as they unionize.
MARC CAPUTO, senior writer, POLITICO
employed at the HERALD: 2003-2015
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I’m proud to stand with former colleagues who seek to ensure that the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald remain preeminent sources of watchdog journalism in South Florida.
These talented journalists – some my co-workers more than 30 years – believe One Herald Guild will protect employees and sustain the joint newsroom through new methods of workplace collaboration.
I know firsthand they are deeply committed both to our profession and the community we serve."
STEVE ROTHAUS, FREELANCE writer
employed at the HERALD: 1985-2019
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Reporters, photographers and other staff typically don’t get a say in decisions — like online traffic quotas — that impact their ability to produce quality journalism. A union would amplify their voices and give them a seat at the table. A union would also ensure that staff are fairly compensated and that they are taken care of when they get sick or hurt on the job. And, equally important, a union would foster the sense of comraderie that makes the Herald such a special place.”
KYRA GURNEY, REPORTEr, INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS
EMPLoyed at the HERALD: 2016-2019
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I always tell folks that I was lucky that my first gig was at my hometown paper. The Herald gave me a shot when I was starting out, and I owe the people there immensely for what I am today. What One Herald Guild is doing is downright admirable. They are the standing in solidarity with each other to improve their lot and fighting for the future of the paper. Their efforts are going to ensure that future young people have the same privilege I did: To work at their hometown paper.
LAZARO GAMIO, EDITOR, AXIOS
EMPLOYED AT THE HERALD: 2013-2014
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Thrilled for Miami Herald staffers who have taken the courageous leap into Guild life. The Herald’s powerhouse reporters deserve better pay and benefits for all their brilliant work. I worked for Neighbors from 1987-89 and then rejoined Herald from 1991-1995, covering immigration and Cuba.
LIZETTE ALVAREZ, FREELANCE writer
Employed at the HERALD: 1987-1995
Being fair is one of the principles sought by professional journalists in the exercise of their profession. So why not receive that same fairness from their employers? Unfortunately, corporate America -- including the newspaper owners -- doesn’t believe in that. It’s time for the journalists at The Miami Herald to ask – demand, at times – to be counted in determining the future of the newspaper. It’s only fair.
MARTA BARBER, retired journalist
EMPLoyed at the HERALD: 1984-2004
