The Portland Daily Examiner was created on 1 October 1953 and published until 10 October 1953, amidst a nearly month-long strike by the Portland Newspaper Guild, against the Guy Gannett Publishing Company. Gannett owned and operated all three Portland newspapers: the Portland Press Herald, the Evening Express, and Sunday Telegram, essentially a monopoly enterprise.
The Portland Local No.128 American Newspaper Guild (CIO), with approximately 190 members working for Gannett, struck on 13 Sep 1953, after Gannett management the Guild modify its demand for the union's continuance at the company. According to the Evening Express on 14 Sep 1953 (page 1), Gannett Publishing had offered 2/3 of the employees increases of $1 - $3. "The increase would not begin to meet the wage schedules which should be in effect if these employees are to enjoy pay equal or close to national averages in the newspaper industry."
In addition, "The Newspaper Guild of Portland, Maine considers that it is fighting for its life and the future wellbeing of 180 employees. During the past few years, relations between company and union have been steadily deteriorating. It is plain to the Guild that the company seeks to return its editorial and commercial employees to the working standards of the last century."
After 24 days, settlement discussions began between the Guild and the Gannett Company, with assistance from the Maine State Board of Mediation. Between 7 Oct - 23 Oct, there was no Portland Press Herald.
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The Issue is Union Busting [Portland Daily Examiner]
Portland Newspaper Guild [Maine]
Informational rexograph-printed flyer, on 8.5x11" paper, from the Portland Newspaper Guild, and describing the labor strike against Guy Gannett Publishing in late-September 1953. The strike extended from 13 Sept to mid-October. Guild members, without pay, published the Portland Daily Examiner until the union and Gannett completed their negotiations (ca.12 Oct. 1953).
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Portland Daily Examiner - Vol. 1, No. 1 : October 5, 1953
Portland Newspaper Guild [Maine]
Published by the Portland Newspaper Guild, without pay, the Portland Daily Examiner provided local news coverage (in six issues) for Greater Portland amidst a labor strike by the Guy Gannett Publishing Company employees' union. It was, as stated on the front page of the first issue, "designed to be a help to the strikers," and "designed to be a help to the general public."
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Portland Daily Examiner - Vol. 1, No. 2 : October 6, 1953
Portland Newspaper Guild [Maine]
Published by the Portland Newspaper Guild, without pay, the Portland Daily Examiner provided local news coverage (in six issues) for Greater Portland amidst a labor strike by the Guy Gannett Publishing Company employees' union. It was, as stated on the front page of the first issue, "designed to be a help to the strikers," and "designed to be a help to the general public."
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Portland Daily Examiner - Vol. 1, No. 3 : October 7, 1953
Portland Newspaper Guild [Maine]
Published by the Portland Newspaper Guild, without pay, the Portland Daily Examiner provided local news coverage (in six issues) for Greater Portland amidst a labor strike by the Guy Gannett Publishing Company employees' union. It was, as stated on the front page of the first issue, "designed to be a help to the strikers," and "designed to be a help to the general public."
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Portland Daily Examiner - Vol. 1, No. 4 : October 8, 1953
Portland Newspaper Guild [Maine]
Published by the Portland Newspaper Guild, without pay, the Portland Daily Examiner provided local news coverage (in six issues) for Greater Portland amidst a labor strike by the Guy Gannett Publishing Company employees' union. It was, as stated on the front page of the first issue, "designed to be a help to the strikers," and "designed to be a help to the general public."
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Portland Daily Examiner - Vol. 1, No. 5 : October 9, 1953
Portland Newspaper Guild [Maine]
Published by the Portland Newspaper Guild, without pay, the Portland Daily Examiner provided local news coverage (in six issues) for Greater Portland amidst a labor strike by the Guy Gannett Publishing Company employees' union. It was, as stated on the front page of the first issue, "designed to be a help to the strikers," and "designed to be a help to the general public."
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Portland Daily Examiner - Vol. 1, No. 6 : October 10, 1953
Portland Newspaper Guild [Maine]
Published by the Portland Newspaper Guild, without pay, the Portland Daily Examiner provided local news coverage (in six issues) for Greater Portland amidst a labor strike by the Guy Gannett Publishing Company employees' union. It was, as stated on the front page of the first issue, "designed to be a help to the strikers," and "designed to be a help to the general public."
Vol. 1, No. 6 was the last issue of the Examiner.