May 16, 2019 – Bernie Lunzer has been declared the winner of the race for NewsGuild-CWA president by a vote 1,282 to 1,021 over his opponent, Jon Schleuss. Continue reading “Lunzer Declared Winner in Race for NewsGuild President”
Alden Suffers Stinging Defeat in Effort to Take Over Gannett
May 16, 2019 – Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund known as “the destroyer of newspapers,” suffered a stinging defeat on Thursday when Gannett shareholders rejected its hostile takeover bid.
The NewsGuild-CWA, which called had called on Gannett shareholders to reject Alden’s take-over efforts, was thrilled with the news. Continue reading “Alden Suffers Stinging Defeat in Effort to Take Over Gannett”
Vote Count Gets Underway in Election of NewsGuild President
Updated 4:10 p.m. EDT
The ballot total has been revised to 2,227. Two pieces of mail retrieved from the post office box were not intended for the Guild.
May 13, 2019 – Members of the Sector Election and Referendum Committee (SERC) have begun processing ballots in the election of The NewsGuild-CWA president. Ballots were retrieved from the post office box in Washington, DC, on May 13 and transported to the MITAGS facility outside Baltimore, where the count is taking place. Continue reading “Vote Count Gets Underway in Election of NewsGuild President”
NewsGuild Election Committee to Begin Vote Count May 13th
The following statement was issued by Scott Edmonds, Chairman of the NewsGuild/CWA Sector Election and Referendum Committee.
May 10, 2019 – “The election to determine who will be president of the NewsGuild/CWA is entering its final phase, which will conclude sometime next week. Continue reading “NewsGuild Election Committee to Begin Vote Count May 13th”
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”
Laid-off NewsGuild member to speak at field hearing in Ohio
For immediate release, April 8, 2019
Contact: Bill Meyer
williamdmeyer@msn.com
330-858-3406
A member of The NewsGuild-CWA is among those who will provide testimony at a public hearing in Ohio about the devastating effects of job outsourcing on both those who lose their jobs and the community.
The field hearing, co-sponsored by Cleveland Jobs With Justice and the Ohio Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, will run from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13, at Firestone Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 40 East Wilbeth Road, Akron, Ohio, 44301.
Large corporate owners with little interest in investing in local quality journalism are continuing their relentless attacks on a free press. This hearing will highlight the attacks faced not just by Ohio’s media workers but local call center workers and auto workers as well.
Continue reading “Laid-off NewsGuild member to speak at field hearing in Ohio”
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”