122-0.
Amazing. Simply amazing.
In a historic vote, members of the Dallas News Guild who work at The Dallas Morning News approved a new 3-year contract.
It took almost 900 days of bargaining with Dallas Morning News executives. The negotiating sessions concluded several weeks ago, after a long day of mediation. Both sides finally came together.
The final vote by union members to ratify the collective bargaining agreement was 122-0.
92% of our 133 members voluntarily agreed to pay union dues and were eligible to vote, according to Guild Election Judge Dave Lieber. Voter turnout was 99%.
Unit Chair Maggie Prosser released this statement:
There is an overwhelming sense of relief today: After 32 hard-fought months, we have a contract. Finally, members can plan for their futures.
We are guaranteed minimum salaries. We get a pay increase each year.
We have better protections against layoffs and better severance packages for our unit of about 130 journalists.
This historic and progressive contract ensures every corner of our newsroom will be adequately compensated for our revelatory content.
This contract would not have been possible without the original members who began organizing in 2020, and the bargaining committee who pushed this over the finish line.
Take a minute, too, to thank their families and friends who supported them through this challenge. Our mission now is to keep our Guild united and strong. We welcome anyone who wants to contribute.
And we’re thrilled our members will have the security to give our readers quality journalism for years to come.
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The Dallas Morning News is part of the oldest continuously operated business in Texas and the state’s leading newspaper. Proudly, we are the first major newspaper newsroom in the state to unionize in the modern era.
The Dallas News Guild covers the DMN and Al Dia, which includes more than 130 journalists across all departments of the newsroom, including reporters, columnists, data journalists, copy editors, librarians, web producers, audio producers, page designers, photographers and videographers. Eligible newsroom workers voted in October 2021 by a margin of over 75% to form a union. We partner with Media Guild of the West.
Keep up with our efforts on Instagram and Twitter — @DallasNewsGuild — and at the NEWS tab at DallasNewsGuild.org.
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