RACINE, Wis. — Journalists at The Journal Times newspaper in Racine, Wisconsin, today announced plans to unionize together as the Racine NewsGuild, seeking a partnership with the newspaper’s ownership to protect quality local journalism and to demonstrate a joint commitment to improving services in the Racine area.
Newsroom employees at The Journal Times have signed authorization cards and agreed – by an overwhelming majority – to seek representation by The NewsGuild, a sector of the Communications Workers of America. The Racine NewsGuild will operate as a unit within the Kenosha Newspaper Guild Local 34159, which represents employees at our sister paper, the Kenosha News, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Both the Racine and Kenosha newspapers are owned by Lee Enterprises. So it makes sense that employees at both should be organized and have equal voices in the important decisions regarding the future of these newspapers, both of which are longstanding local institutions and vital community resources in southeastern Wisconsin.
“I applaud our brethren in Racine,” said Kenosha Newspaper Guild President Sean Krajacic. “We at the Kenosha Newspaper Guild have worked in parallel with the reporting staff in Racine for decades. We have spent the past five years under the same company and doing the same work, but under vastly different working conditions. It is long overdue for journalists in Racine to have a seat at the table.”
The employees of The Journal Times are asking Lee Enterprises to voluntarily recognize the new union and bargain with us to work out a blueprint for a strong and productive future. If the company decides against voluntary recognition, the employees will petition the National Labor Relations Board for an election allowing their union to get to work.
“We are fighting for a fair, dignified workplace that protects and respects the people who make the newspaper,” reporter Ryan Patterson said. “Unionizing can help reporters create impactful journalism in Racine County. We deserve voluntary recognition so we can collectively bargain for a fair contract.”
The Journal Times, founded in 1852, has a proud tradition of service in Racine County. The news-gathering team reaches thousands of readers through its daily print edition and its digital products at journaltimes.com and on various social media platforms. Journal Times staffers have won awards recently for their coverage of local government, schools, business and sports, as well as for news photography, page design and video production.
But the quality of the newspaper and employee morale both have suffered (tremendously) in recent years, largely because of misguided management decisions from Lee Enterprises. The company has cut positions, slashed resources, reduced local news coverage and forced employees to work under difficult circumstances. Employees hope that organizing will give them a voice in the future of the Journal Times (and allow us to pursue restoration and rebirth).
Our union’s mission statement reads: “The Racine NewsGuild is committed to working with management to create a partnership that both allows our members to do their best work and supports them with a healthy work environment.”
Starting several months ago, this union grew from a core group into an official organizing committee and, finally, into a nearly unanimous movement supported by veteran journalists and newcomers alike.
Support the Racine NewsGuild’s drive for voluntary recognition by signing the petition: