May 3, 2018 – NewsGuild members at the Knoxville News Sentinel gave a stark reminder of the effects of layoffs at the Gannett-owned paper in late April, floating a black balloon at the desk of every worker who has been let go over the course of the current contract. The workers are building solidarity as they face tough negotiations with management over a new collective bargaining agreement.
The display prompted Kevin Slimp of State of Newspapers to write:
Question: What do you get when you mix a “mammoth” building with a staff that could fit into the conference room, plus a new contract proposal that stinks with the odor of more downsizing?
Answer: Balloons. The names on the balloons represent employees, both newsroom staff and managers, who have been laid off at the newspaper.