Bellingham Herald union members ratify new contract after strike
Source: salish-current
July 16, 2026
After a one-day strike, Bellingham Herald secured raises and protections against artificial intelligence.
Following a one-day strike in May, Bellingham Herald — one of five Pacific Northwest newspapers negotiating with McClatchy Media — secured raises and protections against artificial intelligence in a new three-year contract.
“It’s not everything we wanted, but I guess we’ll take it,” said Jack Belcher, a Bellingham Herald reporter. “The AI language is pretty good. We’re still getting some money, but not much that we wanted. All in all, I think it’s just a rough compromise.”
The new deal includes:
· Guaranteed raises of 7.2% to 15.5% over the next three years, including immediate raises of 3% to 11.1%
$52,000 minimum salary for current employees
· Ban on AI replacing staff, decreasing pay or reducing working hours
· AI cannot do union members’ work without their direct control
· Ban on mandatory production quotas in performance reviews
· Minimum annual training budget of $7,500 in Washington
· Improved just cause and discipline protections
Bellingham Herald reporters Jack Belcher and Robert Mittendorf picket for fair wages on the corner of Holly Street and Lakeway Drive in Bellingham on Tuesday, May 26. (Sam Fletcher / Salish Current 2026)
Read more: https://salish-current.org/2026/07/16/bellingham-herald-union-members-ratify-new-contract-after-strike/