In blistering heat, Philadelphia Guild fights layoffs

June 27, 2019 – Members of The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia protested impending layoffs in blistering heat on June 26, chanting, “Save local news!” Turnout was tremendous, President Diane Mastrull wrote on the local’s website.

“Now we wait to see if wisdom and true innovation prevail.”

Union leaders will meet with managers on June 28 and expect to find out if they plan to proceed with layoffs at the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Twenty-two members have opted for buyouts, but the company wanted to eliminate 30 positions.

Under the local’s collective bargaining agreement, the company is required to give 15 days’ notice of a layoff. Following a notice, the union can file an appeal.

In the meantime, the union is asking members to encourage their family and friends to send emails to Terry Egger, publisher of the Inquirer, and urge him to “do the right thing for journalism and this city” by preserving the jobs.

 

The Alden Global Capital Crazy Wall

In which we map Alden’s layers of shell companies to try to figure out who owns your hometown newspaper

This article first appeared on June 24, 2019, on the website of DFMworkers.org.

By Julie Reynolds

Almost every crime movie these days has a crazy wall. It’s one of those bulletin boards detectives put together while they’re trying to solve a crime, and they usually have lots of strings connecting people, places, companies and crime families.

You know, like the Avon Barksdale wall in The Wire

Continue reading “The Alden Global Capital Crazy Wall”

Alden President Heath Freeman and others may face subpoenas, depositions

This article first appeared on June 6, 2019, on the website of DFMworkers.org.

By Julie Reynolds

June 6, 2019 – The secretive business practices of Alden Global Capital, owner of the Digital First Media newspaper chain, will soon face scrutiny in a federal bankruptcy court, just weeks after Alden’s failed attempt to take over Gannett Co. Continue reading “Alden President Heath Freeman and others may face subpoenas, depositions”

Congress Dives Into Local News Crisis

This article first appeared on June 3, 2019, on DFMworkers.org.

By Julie Reynolds

June 4, 2019 – Legislative efforts to save local news continue in Washington after New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital’s failed takeover of the Gannett newspaper chain.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has vowed to “continue watching Alden closely.” Continue reading “Congress Dives Into Local News Crisis”

Workers at Three Digital Publications Win Union Recognition

May 22, 2019 – The NewsGuild-CWA had a banner day on May 21, when three digital publications organized by the New York Local won voluntary union recognition.

Workers at Ars Technica, Pitchfork and Quartz are the latest to join the wave of journalists who are unionizing. Continue reading “Workers at Three Digital Publications Win Union Recognition”

Senators blast Alden Global Capital’s “newspaper-killing business model”

This article first appeared on the website of DFM Workers on May 20, 2019.

By Julie Reynolds

May 21, 2019 – Twenty-one prominent US Senators have sent a scathing letter to the founders of Alden Global Capital, decrying its “newspaper-killing business model” and vowing to “continue watching Alden closely.” Continue reading “Senators blast Alden Global Capital’s “newspaper-killing business model””