Author: Sally Davidow

On World Press Freedom Day, NewsGuild urges rejection of Alden’s hostile bid for Gannett

For Immediate Release: May 2, 2019

Contact: Bernie Lunzer
202-258-3231
Sally Davidow
sdavidow@cwa-union.org; 202-368-3324
Tony Mulligan (Denver Rally)
dng@denvernewspaperguild.org; (303) 956-1255
Stevie Blanchard (Detroit Rally)
stevie@detroitguild22.org; (928) 380-0286
World Press Freedom Day
#SaveLocalNews

WASHINGTON, DC – On World Press Freedom Day, The NewsGuild-CWA – warning of the danger to local news coverage in communities across the United States – will urge Gannett shareholders to reject a looming hostile takeover bid by Alden Global Capital, a New York hedge fund. Continue reading “On World Press Freedom Day, NewsGuild urges rejection of Alden’s hostile bid for Gannett”

NewsGuild joins press freedom groups in ‘friend of the court’ brief

April 29, 2019 – The NewsGuild-CWA joined the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 31 other media organizations in filing an amicus brief in Gubarev v. BuzzFeed, a defamation action before the 11th Circuit.

The case arises from a January 2017 BuzzFeed article that published the “Trump-Russia dossier,” also known as the “Steele dossier.” Continue reading “NewsGuild joins press freedom groups in ‘friend of the court’ brief”

Under federal investigation, Alden pulls half its proposed Gannett takeover slate

This article first appeared on April 25, 2019, on the website of DFMworkers.org.

By Julie Reynolds

April 26, 2019 – It’s been a tough week for Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund trying to take over the nation’s largest newspaper chain, as senators, shareholders, creditors and federal agencies are all looking into a slew of self-dealing allegations.

First, the Washington Post reported last week that the Labor Department is interested in the roughly $250 million of news workers’ pension monies that Alden quietly shifted into its own Cayman-Island-based accounts. Continue reading “Under federal investigation, Alden pulls half its proposed Gannett takeover slate”

TIME digital staff requests voluntary union recognition; seeks to end ‘digital divide’

April 25, 2019 – Digital employees of TIME requested voluntary union recognition April 25, seeking union protection and equity with the magazine’s print employees. Although the publication has been represented by the New York local of The NewsGuild-CWA for nearly 80 years, the former owners of Time Inc. maintained an antiquated divide to keep employees they identified as “digital” out of the bargaining unit. Continue reading “TIME digital staff requests voluntary union recognition; seeks to end ‘digital divide’”

Unions call for Gannett shareholders to reject hedge fund’s takeover slate

This article first appeared on April 11, 2019, on the website of dfmworkers.org.

By Julie Reynolds

April 16, 2019 – Leaders of the NewsGuild and Teamsters unions have issued a call to Gannett shareholders this week to reject a “hopelessly conflicted” board takeover effort by vulture hedge fund Alden Global Capital, owner of Digital First Media newspapers. Continue reading “Unions call for Gannett shareholders to reject hedge fund’s takeover slate”

Representatives launch national initiative to save local news

This post first appeared on April 3, 2019, on the website DFMworkers.org.

By Julie Reynolds

Responding to the dire challenges faced by local news, U.S. representatives are launching bills to protect local news outlets and “to recognize the vital role that local journalists play in promoting good governance and accountability.” Continue reading “Representatives launch national initiative to save local news”

NewsGuild members demand ‘Equal Pay Now!’

April 3, 2019 – Members of The NewsGuild-CWA called out the nation’s media executives on April 2, demanding equal pay for women and people of color. Designated “Equal Pay Day,” the date symbolized the fact that women must work well into 2019 to catch up to what men earned in 2018. For women of color it will take longer to catch up – much longer.

Continue reading “NewsGuild members demand ‘Equal Pay Now!’”

Digital Employees of Fortune Mag Announce Union Drive

March 29, 2019 – Digital journalists at Fortune magazine announced a campaign for union recognition on March 28, becoming the latest in a slew of news organizations where workers are seeking the protections that come with a union. Employees of the magazine’s print department – comprising 41 percent of the magazine’s staff – have been members of New York local of The NewsGuild-CWA for decades. Continue reading “Digital Employees of Fortune Mag Announce Union Drive”