Big Isle reporter fired over union meeting

Tribune-Herald leaders opposed the use of a tape recorder

HILO » The Hawaii Tribune-Herald has fired veteran reporter Dave Smith for carrying a tape recorder with him when called into a meeting with management.

Smith's union, the Hawaii Newspaper Guild, said the firing was part of a continuing effort to destroy the union at the paper. The Tribune-Herald is the only unionized paper among more than 30 owned by Stephens Media Group of Las Vegas.

Tribune-Herald Editor David Bock said of Smith's firing, "It was proper. It was the right thing to do. Otherwise, no comment."

Smith, an 18-year veteran at the Tribune-Herald and a member of the union contract negotiating team, had carried the recorder with him after management had refused the request of other employees to bring a witness with them during meetings with management.

A 1975 U.S. Supreme Court decision guarantees the right to have a witness, the union said. Tape-recording a conversation is not illegal under Hawaii law, even when done secretly, the union said.

Smith was fired Wednesday following the tape recorder incident on March 3. He had been suspended without pay since March 9.

Another reporter, union shop steward Hunter Bishop, was fired Oct. 27 after he offered to serve as a witness for an employee called into a meeting with management.

The National Labor Relations Board filed a charge against the paper for failing to provide information on Bishop's case. A hearing on the charge is set for June 13 in Honolulu.

Three other employees' grievances are pending.