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A war veteran's choice: Job or school

Some readers know my day job is with the Hawaii Newspaper Guild, which represents most of the employees of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald newspaper. As a general rule I like to keep this blog separate from the bitter labor-management relations ongoing at the newspaper. However I do provide a link to the Guild's Web site, Holomua.org, in the left column of this page for anyone who's interested in keeping up with the latest news on the labor front.

Recently I've been working on a case that so illustrates the current situation that union workers face at the newspaper that I wanted to call your attention to it. It's about a Hilo boy, a native Hawaiian and decorated U.S. Army veteran of the war in Afghanistan, who was forced to quit his part-time job at the newspaper. Why? Well, you might be surprised.

Take a look at the story here. You won't see it in the HTH.

Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 11:26AM by Registered CommenterHunter Bishop in , | Comments4 Comments

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Reader Comments (4)

Unless this young man is claiming racial discrimination, which Hunter's article does not imply, I don't understand why it is so important to mention that he is Native Hawaiian. It seems like race always manages to come into play in this sort of thing in Hawaii. BTW, I happen to think, based on what was reported, that he was treated unfairly and deserves his original hours. Are we supposed to be more sympathetic because of his race? Isn't it bad that this would happen to ANYBODY?
September 20, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterChunkster

The vet did the right thing.

...a supervisor in a newspaper business that can't even "guaranty" his spelling is correct ...
good night and good luck!
September 20, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterJames Weatherford
I wonder who Mr Crawford thinks protected his papers 1st Amendent Rights? Without the soldier he probably wouldn't have a job.
September 21, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterBrian Jordan
Any Vet that has already put his/her ass on the line to safeguard our way of life deserves all that we as a nation can give them. Union or no union this man should be held in high regard just for the backbone that he has. I for one will always support the veteran under most any circumstances and can’t stop thanking them enough. If that rag [HTH] treats my heros that way they have seen the last $.50 from me. My neighbor agrees and has just canceled his subscription to the Trib. Thank you Hunter for the insight, this type of injustice should always be brought to light. Any freedom loving person out there has to agree that this kind of treatment to one of our young hero’s is wrong.

You Hunter, being a union rep should go after that rag with a vengeance. Don’t let that young man down he did his part now let’s do ours. If you need people to walk in front of that rag carrying signs count me in.

The Lack
September 22, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterTom Lackey

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