Contact: dhnewsguild@gmail.com
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL. In 2007, the Daily Herald conducted layoffs for the first time in its then-135-year history.
Over the last 10 years, employees of the suburban newspaper saw their wages reduced by at least 15% and their work week reduced to 36.5 hours. During that same approximate period, employees experienced eight rounds of buyouts and/or combination buyouts and layoffs, culminating Aug. 10, with the dismissal of 12 Daily Herald employees.
In response, an overwhelming majority of the editorial staff – whose combined experience totals more than 500 years – 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.
Standing together to form a union, our veteran writers, editors and photographers – many of whom have worked at the Daily Herald for more than 25 years – aim to build on that tradition by protecting our newsroom from the forces threatening our employees and our industry in general.
The organizing committee has delivered a letter to Tribune Publishing, which acquired the Daily Herald in June, requesting voluntary recognition. By forming the union, the journalists aim to address high turnover, advocate for pay equity and strengthen the publication’s community-focused coverage.
“For decades our newsroom has been decimated,” said Kevin Schmit, the Daily Herald’s associate sports editor and a 29-year employee of Illinois’ third largest daily newspaper. “And for too long crucial decisions have been made with no input from us, the editorial staff responsible for producing an award-winning newspaper. We take this step now to gain a seat at the table and because we remain committed to maintaining our status as the trusted voice of the Chicago suburbs.”
The Daily Herald News Guild joins with The Chicago News Guild Local 34071 TNG-CWA which represents more than 600 media, non-profit, and publishing workers throughout the Chicago area and nationally.
“It’s so exciting to see more workers join the Chicago News Guild. Workers at the Daily Herald are ready to have a voice in their workplace and their futures. We’re looking forward to supporting these future members as they advocate for job security and to protect local news,” said Chicago News Guild Local 34071 TNG-CWA President Owen Schmidt.
The Daily Herald News Guild has filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), but is happy to withdraw it if management voluntarily recognizes the union. For more information or to read the staff’s mission statement, visit cwalocals.org/daily-herald-news-guild.