Tribune | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA

Wrapping up a record year with workers unafraid to strike

There’s no denying it: 2021 was a bang-up year for NewsGuild union organizing. Journalists, staffers at nonprofits and employees of publishing houses stood up in record numbers and demanded a voice at work.

In all, 2,128 workers fought for and won union recognition at 42 new workplaces.

Column chart showing numbers of workers unionizing with NewsGuild-CWA from 2015 through 2021, with 2,128 workers joining the union in 2021.

But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. NewsGuild members embraced a new sense of empowerment, engaging in increasingly militant actions when management stalled, violated labor law or refused to bargain. 2021 was the year of workers demanding more respect and NewsGuild members played an active part.

NewsGuild calls on pension funds to boot Cerberus

NewsGuild-CWA activist Veronica Serrano urged the board of directors of the Texas County and District Retirement System to divest its holdings in Cerberus Capital Management at the board’s quarterly meeting in Austin today, in a statement submitted in writing.

Tribune Publishing shareholders let everyone down

Thousands of NewsGuild-CWA members, myself included, were upset by Tribune Publishing’s announcement today that shareholders approved the company’s takeover by Alden Global Capital, a hedge fund known as “the destroyer of newspapers.”

Statement on Tribune Shareholders Vote from NewsGuild’s Tribune newsrooms

NewsGuild units at the papers of Tribune Publishing issued the following joint statement on the vote by shareholders regarding the takeover by Alden Global Capital.

Today, Tribune Publishing shareholders voted to put profit and greed over local news in our country.

While we are saddened by the turn of events, we know that our work over the past year — to build allies in the community and to raise awareness about Alden — is not in vain. Those allies will support us as we fight against Alden to protect local news and the cuts that they will inevitably try to make.

Ahead of Tribune shareholder vote, journalists and supporters around U.S. protest Alden takeover bid

Hundreds of NewsGuild members rallied in Chicago, Orlando, Virginia Beach, Hartford and Annapolis on May 15 in an effort to stop Alden Global Capital’s planned takeover of Tribune Publishing. Tribune shareholders will vote on Alden’s bid to purchase the company on May 21.

Communities call on Tribune Publishing to vote against takeover bid

MAY 13, 2021
CONTACT: Sally Davidow
sdavidow@cwa-union.org

Residents and local organizations served by Tribune Publishing newspapers have a message for the company’s shareholders: vote NO to a proposed takeover by Alden Global Capital.

With shareholders set to vote May 21 on a $17.25 per share bid by the New York hedge fund, dozens of prominent individuals, local unions and community organizations served notice to Trib Pub shareholders that their actions could have profound impacts on millions of stakeholders, posting a letter to shareholders on the Securities & Exchange Commission’s EDGAR database.

NewsGuild Sends Second Letter to Tribune Publishing Shareholders

The NewsGuild-CWA sent a second letter to the top shareholders of Tribune Publishing on May 6, which points out that Tribune’s earnings suggest that the company has been sufficiently profitable that it need not be purchased. (The Guild posted the letter on the SEC website as well.)

The letter also links to a May 6 Washington Post article that casts aspersions on the ability of Alden Global Capital to come up with the cash to buy the company.

NewsGuild to host special screening of new documentary, News Matters

The NewsGuild will host a special screening on May 13 of News Matters, a new documentary by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Brian Malone about the 2018 rebellion at the Denver Post against Alden Global Capital.

Guild members can register for the exclusive showing here.

NewsGuild-CWA issues letter to Tribune shareholders urging a NO vote on Alden takeover

The NewsGuild-CWA filed a letter to shareholders with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, urging a “no” vote on hedge fund Alden Global Capital’s attempted takeover of Tribune Publishing.

Instead of seeking the best value for Tribune shareholders, the Guild’s letter states, Tribune’s board “excessively focused on a rapid approval of Alden’s proposal, even though a potentially superior offer as well as continuing independent operation present higher value alternatives.”