Originally Lee Enterprises had threatened to shutter the paper if the employees organized a union. See this videos from KPAX, a major broadcaster in Western Montana, and a video from freelancer Dan Brooks at the link below, or attached to this brief. Continue reading “Lee threatens to close Missoula Independent if the union doesn’t agree to shed 3/4’s of the staff”
By Martha Waggoner, Guild International Chair
It’s more important than ever that workers who are harassed and discriminated on the job have unions to protect them and be their voice, say members of The NewsGuild-CWA who worked at the recent Human Rights Conference. Continue reading “Human Rights Conference is reminder that union important in fighting for women, against racism”
Aug. 23, 2018 – Excellent piece from The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) on gender pay disparities in newsrooms. Put together by several members of AAJA it primarily focuses on our union efforts in seven of our large locals. It appears that this fight for equal pay just won’t go away. These efforts should inspire every union local to request pay data and either analyze it themselves, or get help through The NewsGuild-CWA. There is also some information on non-union environments. Remember too that every journalists is welcome to join one of the journalist associations. They are all actively pursuing anti-discrimination efforts.
Washington, DC, August 16, : Journalists are on the front lines in a war on freedom of the press because President Trump has taken every opportunity possible to impugn our craft, our mission, our publications – us. But he has gone beyond simply calling us names and discrediting us. Never one to know a limit, Trump’s hatred and disdain, and the way he expresses them, have become dangerous.
We have believed for some time that the president’s words will result in physical attacks on journalists. Words have consequences.
We are a community of serious journalists, constantly seeking truth and disclosing falsehoods. The president doesn’t share our goals and generally does everything he can not only to obscure the truth, but also to disparage the truth tellers.
We believe this atrocious behavior has to be seen for what it is – reckless and endangering.
The Boston Globe has called on fellow news organizations to speak out today. They think enough is enough. We do, too.
This is not a political statement based on disagreements. We like a good disagreement and strong discussion. Our words are harsh but they need to be. They reflect the hatred that President Trump has fomented against us and our profession.
We will continue to cover the news related to this president and do so in an objective, fair way. But we cannot be silent when he has dubbed us “the enemy of the people,” a term used previously by dictators.
We want a civil society where people receive trusted, credible news. We will continue our mission. But we all must recognize this president as the “clear and present danger” that he is. Dictators typically attack both unions and a free press on their way to more heinous actions. On this day, Aug. 16, 2018, this union of journalists stands in solidarity with all who call out President Donald Trump for his deplorable attempts to weaken a free press and the FIRST Amendment.
The Star Tribune’s Andy Mannix broke a story about cops ordering emergency workers to sedate suspects with a powerful tranquilizer called Ketamine. This was done without their consent. The city has opted to hire a law firm at $275 an hour to investigate the leak. In fairness, the city also hired Sally Yates to investigate the use of the drug. See the attached story but also sign the petition against the investigation.
Story is here: http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-city-hires-firm-to-investigate-how-draft-report-on-ketamine-use-was-leaked/489683071/
Petition against the investigation is here:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2018
Contact:
Dean Olsen, NewsGuild organizing consultant, at (217) 836-1068 or newsguildflorida@gmail.com
JACKSONVILLE, Florida — By a 2-to-1 margin, journalists at The Florida Times-Union voted Thursday to form a union, becoming only the third unionized newsroom staff in the Sunshine State. Continue reading “Journalists at The Florida Times-Union vote union”
After roughly a month, the New Yorker agreed to the Guild’s request for voluntary recognition. The NewsGuild of NY will now proceed to negotiation of a first contract for the group.
Guild leaders, colleagues and friends are asking what is being done to support the families of the five people killed last week in the newsroom of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland.
Killed were Gerald Fischman, Robert Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters, who were gunned down in their newsroom on June 28. The man arrested had held a grudge against the newspaper for several years. Continue reading “Show your support for the Capital Gazette workers”
June 29, 2018 – Following is the statement issued by the NewsGuild-CWA on yesterday’s tragic shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis:
A gunman with a vendetta against the newspaper shot and killed five employees of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. These employees didn’t do their jobs for the money or the glory. Few of us do, but that’s especially true at a local newspaper where journalism is a community service. Continue reading “NewsGuild Statement on Tragic Shooting at Capital Gazette”
