NLRB takes action against Hilo paper

HILO » The National Labor Relations Board has charged the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo with unfair labor practices against two employees.

On March 30, NLRB Regional Director Joseph Novelli in San Francisco filed a complaint saying the paper refused to provide information about the October firing of reporter Hunter Bishop. A federal judge will hear the complaint May 31.

"The company has refused to discuss its investigation of Bishop or to disclose the reasons why he was fired," said the Hawaii Newspaper Guild, which represents about 50 workers at the paper.

The union said Bishop, a shop steward, was fired after offering to be a witness for employee Koryn Nako in a meeting with management. The paper blocked Bishop's offer despite a federal law that guarantees an employee a witness.

The federal complaint also says the paper refused to give information on a reprimand to Nako.

The union said Nako was reprimanded after allowing a union official into the Tribune-Herald building. The paper said it had a policy against letting a union officer into the building, but it has not provided the policy, which would be illegal in any case, said union officer Wayne Cahill.

"We think the company is trying to intimidate people from having anything to do with the union by taking harsh action, including firing people," Cahill said.

Three other employees were suspended in connection with meetings with management, and another was laid off after declining to take a job for which the company refused to train her.

Tribune-Herald Editor David Bock said he could not comment, and Publisher Ted Dixon was not available.