Category: Press Releases

Alden Global Capital, known for plundering newspapers, plans to expand ownership of Tribune Publishing

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sally Davidow, sdavidow@cwa-union.org; 202-368-3324

Move is latest Alden ploy in a larger effort to gut newsrooms across the country, detailed in new, comprehensive report

NewsGuild-CWA Outlines Path for Industry’s Survival


Sept. 11, 2020 – Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund known for pillaging newspapers, plans to expand its ownership stake in Tribune Publishing as soon as Jan. 1 and is shifting its business strategy to focus on digital subscriptions, according to internal company documents obtained by DFMworkers.org. Alden currently owns a 32 percent stake in the company and its hand-picked directors hold three of Tribune’s seven board seats. One is held by Alden’s patriarch and founder, Randall Smith. Continue reading “Alden Global Capital, known for plundering newspapers, plans to expand ownership of Tribune Publishing”

CWA, NewsGuild join ACLU class-action complaint against Minneapolis, Minnesota law enforcement agencies

Suit accuses officials of deliberately targeting journalists in violation of First Amendment

Updated June 10, 2020, 11 a.m. – Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright issued an order last night denying the motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and for class certification. We are still digesting the ruling, but it is clearly a disappointment. The Court did not consider the amended complaint in making its decision. Fortunately, both motions were denied without prejudice. “We will continue the fight,” said NewsGuild President Jon Schleuss.

June 9, 2020 – The Communications Workers of America and The NewsGuild-CWA joined a class-action lawsuit on Monday against Minneapolis and Minnesota law enforcement agencies, accusing them of deliberately targeting, assaulting, and arresting journalists as they covered protests following the police killing of George Floyd. The lawsuit, initiated by the ACLU-MN, was filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota on June 3. Continue reading “CWA, NewsGuild join ACLU class-action complaint against Minneapolis, Minnesota law enforcement agencies”

NewsGuild calls on news organizations to commit to fair union elections

For Immediate Release
March 9, 2020

Contact:
Sally Davidow at 202-434-1162

The NewsGuild, a sector of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), is calling on the country’s major corporate newspaper chains to commit to a set of ground rules that will ensure free and fair union elections for their employees. Continue reading “NewsGuild calls on news organizations to commit to fair union elections”

Los Angeles Times Data Reporter Jon Schleuss Wins Re-Run of NewsGuild-CWA International Election

Following a historic re-run of the national election, Schleuss wins 4-year term for NewsGuild-CWA International President by a 465 vote margin/ 1,979 to 1,514.

For Immediate Release | December 10, 2019
Media Inquiries: Dan Gabor, dan.m.gabor@gmail.com | 610-742-4748

NEW YORK — Jon Schleuss, a data and graphics reporter at the Los Angeles Times, was elected International President of the NewsGuild-CWA on Tuesday, defeating 12-year incumbent Bernie Lunzer after running on a platform to reform and modernize North America’s largest labor union for journalists. Continue reading “Los Angeles Times Data Reporter Jon Schleuss Wins Re-Run of NewsGuild-CWA International Election”

NewsGuild-CWA Denounces Alden Stake in Tribune Publishing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 20, 2019

Washington, D.C. – The purchase by Alden Global Capital of a 25.2 percent stake in Tribune Publishing is a source of deep concern for NewsGuild-CWA members.

“Alden has single-handedly hollowed out the news organization it controls,” said NewsGuild President Bernie Lunzer. “It has liquidated assets – both real estate and employees – solely for its own benefit and without regard to the effects of its policies on news reporting in towns and cities across the country,” he said. Between 2012 and 2019, Alden cut 71 percent of Guild-represented jobs at MediaNews Group newspapers (aka Digital First Media) it controls. Continue reading “NewsGuild-CWA Denounces Alden Stake in Tribune Publishing”

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”

Gazette, Advocate employees vote to unionize

For Immediate Release: Dec. 12, 2018

Contact: Dave Eisenstadter (603) 762-1273
Dane Kuttler (201) 835-4602

Workers at the Daily Hampshire Gazette and Valley Advocate voted in a convincing majority in favor of unionizing. The Pioneer Valley NewsGuild can now begin the productive work of negotiation with Newspapers of New England for a fair contract. Continue reading “Gazette, Advocate employees vote to unionize”

Staff of the Daily Hampshire Gazette Form Union

For Immediate Release – Nov. 12, 2018

Contact: Brenda Nelson, Librarian, (413) 627-2431
Dusty Christenson, Staff Writer, (678) 507-9951
Bera Dunau, Staff Writer, (607) 644-7836
Dane Kuttler, Classified Advertising Representative, (201) 835-4602
Dave Eisenstadter, Swing Editor, (603) 762-1273

Nov. 12, 2018 – We, the members of the Pioneer Valley NewsGuild, have decided to form a labor union at the Daily Hampshire Gazette and Valley Advocate, and are seeking voluntary recognition from ownership. We are taking this step to advocate for ourselves and for the future of this vital community institution. Continue reading “Staff of the Daily Hampshire Gazette Form Union”

NewsGuild Statement on Tragic Shooting at Capital Gazette

 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”

Journalist Protection Act

NewsGuild-CWA, NABET-CWA Support Journalist Protection Act Introduced in Senate

For Immediate Release – May 25, 2018

Contact: Bernie Lunzer
202-434-7177
Sally Davidow
sdavidow@cwa-union.org
202-368-3324

Washington, DC – Unions representing 30,000 reporters, photographers, and broadcast employees are praising a bill filed in the Senate by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) on Friday that would make it a federal crime to assault a journalist. A similar bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Eric Swalwell of California in February. Continue reading “NewsGuild-CWA, NABET-CWA Support Journalist Protection Act Introduced in Senate”