Journalists Fight Layoffs With Union Power

Facing devastating cuts to their newsroom staff, workers at the suburban Chicago news outlet the Daily Herald announced last week their intention to form a union with The Chicago News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 34071). Workers include writers, editors, and photographers. The Daily Herald is owned by Tribune Publishing, a subsidiary of New York-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital.

Over the last 10 years, workers saw their wages reduced by at least 15 percent and their work week reduced to 36.5 hours. During that same approximate period, employees experienced eight rounds of buyouts and/or a combination of buyouts and layoffs, culminating on August 10 with the dismissal of 12 Daily Herald employees.

In response, an overwhelming majority of the editorial staff announced the establishment of the Daily Herald News Guild to secure competitive wages and pay equity, transparency, a strong voice in the future of their newsroom, and the ability to continue reporting on the suburban communities the paper has served for more than 150 years.

Workers submitted a petition for voluntary recognition by the company and have also filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The workers are happy to withdraw their NLRB request if management voluntarily recognizes the union.

Congratulations to these workers in their fight for a voice in their workplace.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.