Category: News

In First-Ever Coordinated Actions, GateHouse, DFM Workers Stand Up for Press Freedom

May 4, 2017 – NewsGuild-CWA members at 28 digital media companies owned by Gatehouse Media and Digital First Media (DFM) observed World Press Freedom Day on May 3 with coordinated actions to support quality journalism at the papers and to highlight the damage wrought by severe cuts in their newsrooms and other departments.

The activities, which included rallies and displays of signs and banners at work stations, aimed to raise awareness of the growing threat that “vulture” hedge funds pose to the nation’s community newspapers. Union leaders say the newspaper owners’ excessive profiteering threatens journalism at a critical time of politicized attacks on the news media. The events marked the first coordinated acts of solidarity by GateHouse and DFM workers. Continue reading “In First-Ever Coordinated Actions, GateHouse, DFM Workers Stand Up for Press Freedom”

Boston Herald Employees Boycott Twitter After Management Suspends Reporter

Managers at the Boston Herald got an unwelcome surprise after they suspended reporter Chris Villani – allegedly for violating the company’s social media policy. The 2013 policy, which requires reporters to get approval from the Executive Editor or his designee prior to tweeting breaking news, had never been enforced before.

Reporters launched a Twitter boycott – blacking out their profile images and refraining from tweeting. Continue reading “Boston Herald Employees Boycott Twitter After Management Suspends Reporter”

Workers at Digital First Media, GateHouse Join Forces on Press Freedom Day

Unionized workers at media outlets owned by GateHouse Media and Digital First Media (DFM) will mark World Press Freedom Day – May 3 – by sending a message to their employers: “Democracy Depends on Journalism: Invest in Us.”

Continue reading “Workers at Digital First Media, GateHouse Join Forces on Press Freedom Day”

NLRB to Issue Complaint Against SOSi

After a lengthy investigation into more than a dozen charges of anti-union activity, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is preparing to issue a formal complaint against SOS International, a federal contractor that provides language-interpreting services for immigration courts, the NewsGuild-CWA has announced. Continue reading “NLRB to Issue Complaint Against SOSi”

As World Press Freedom Day Approaches, ‘Right to Report’ Campaign Takes Off

As World Press Freedom Day – May 3 – approaches, journalists are launching a campaign to protect the Right to Report, says NewsGuild-CWA President Bernie Lunzer. He is urging all those who treasure freedom of the press to sign a petition and join the fight to protect this treasured right.

Continue reading “As World Press Freedom Day Approaches, ‘Right to Report’ Campaign Takes Off”

Report: The Status of Women in U.S. Media 2017

The fifth edition of the Women’s Media Center’s annual assessment of how females fare across media platforms found areas of progress, but mixed news overall. The center monitored news outlets for three months in 2016, and found that a gender gap exists in traditional newspapers, TV news, online news, and wire services, with the largest disparity in television.

According to the report, “Men still dominate media across all platforms—television, newspapers, online and wires—with change coming only incrementally. Women are not equal partners in telling the story, nor are they equal partners in sourcing and interpreting what and who is important in the story.”

Read more about the “The Status of Women in U.S. Media 2017” report –>

 

NLRB Says Immigration Court Interpreters Are Employees

By the Pacific Media Workers Guild

The determination is a major — though preliminary — win for the Guild, which has been working to help immigration interpreters fighting for their job rights.

Officials at the National Labor Relations Board have found that immigration court interpreters should be considered employees rather than independent contractors.

The determination is a major — though preliminary — win for the Guild, which has been working to help immigration interpreters fighting for their job rights. Continue reading “NLRB Says Immigration Court Interpreters Are Employees”

Professionals at Roosevelt Institute Organize a Union

Professional staff at the Roosevelt Institute, a think tank to advance the vision of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, has moved to unionize with The NewsGuild of New York.

In a mission statement presented to senior management, Roosevelt Institute employees cited the importance of the Institute’s nationally recognized work on social and economic equality, while recognizing the need to establish workplace protections that promote the long-term health and stability of the organization.

“We believe that by unionizing we will make the entire organization stronger, and deepen our commitment to the values we espouse through our work,” said Katie Kirchner, Program Associate. Continue reading “Professionals at Roosevelt Institute Organize a Union”