Skagit journalists launch boycott pledge

Newsroom workers have also authorized an open-ended strike if management fails to put forth a fair contract proposal next week

SKAGIT CO., WA (August 20, 2026) — Union journalists at Adams Multimedia outlets the Anacortes American, Skagit Valley Herald, and Stanwood Camano News are asking subscribers to pledge to boycott the papers should workers make that ask in the future. Workers aren’t asking for subscriptions to be paused at this time but are seeking pledges that readers will commit to doing so if management continues to push a contract with low wages that allows artificial intelligence to be used in creation of news content.

“We hope a boycott will not be necessary, but we accept that it may be the only way to show management the community’s commitment to support the hardworking journalists who make our publications great,” wrote journalists in a social media post.

Journalists on the strike line in July. Photo: Skagit Valley Herald Union via Instagram

Earlier this month, journalists voted unanimously to launch an open-ended strike if a deal on a contract is not reached at the upcoming August 24 bargaining session. And they launched a multi-day strike in late July after more than eight months of negotiations with no deal in sight.

Workers are pushing for a wage floor of $20 an hour and for the company to agree to enshrine in their collective bargaining agreement already existing guidelines on newsroom AI use, demands the company as so far refused.

The journalists at these local papers currently make between $19.10 and $22.29 an hour, including workers who’ve been with the company for more than 20 years. Management’s current proposal is to increase the starting salary by 38 cents.

Supporters can also contact management directly to urge the company to settle a fair contract. Publisher Rebecca Poynter can be reached at 360-416-2100 or rpoynter@skagitpublishing.com and Human Resources Manager Deb Brook can be reached at 360-416-2187 or dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com.

TAKE A STAND: pledge to boycott the Anacortes American, Skagit Valley Herald, and Stanwood Camano News if management doesnt settle a fair contract with journalists.