Idaho’s prices are soaring, but our wages are flat. Tell the Statesman it must do better.

The situation in Boise is dire. Rents are skyrocketing and housing supplies remain low. Still, McClatchy keeps salaries low, instead of paying to keep good reporters in Boise.

We demand McClatchy pay its workers a fair wage — and you can join us by sending a letter to management here.

Our own reporting shows this. Boise is the most unaffordable city in the U.S. Rent prices rose by 20% in 2021.

Some of our colleagues make less than $42,000 a year — meaning they qualify for low-income housing in Ada County. That’s unacceptable.

As a result, many of our staff struggle to find an affordable place to live. Some are forced into temporary housing for months. 

In Boise, it can be a struggle to afford the necessities. We aren’t immune.

For some, the only way to get a raise is to leave. Ten employees have left since we first organized in 2020. Compensation was the chief reason.

There’s no reward for experience or staying at the Statesman. And being stuck at one salary makes living in Boise untenable.

Many reporters coming up in the news business are told, “Pay your dues.” They’re paid poverty wages, with the promise being they’ll one day get paid a fair wage.

We’ve paid our dues. Now it’s time for McClatchy to bargain in good faith and pay their staff a living wage.

Of course, we need your help to make this happen. Please submit a letter and tell McClatchy you want the Statesman’s staff to be compensated fairly for their work.

No one should struggle to pay the bills — journalists included.