The journalists of the South Florida Sun Sentinel announced today they are forming a union to defend the future of their newsroom and South Florida’s access to quality local journalism.
The last two decades have been difficult for journalism in general, and for Sun Sentinel staffers in particular. They have seen staff levels razed and salaries and benefits cut. With diminishing resources, they pulled together and provided the region and the nation with Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the slaughter of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018. They continue to win awards and earn national praise for their reporting.
An overwhelming majority of Sun Sentinel journalists, 88%, signed cards to be sent to the National Labor Relations Board asking the NLRB to conduct an election.
The journalists are asking Alden Global Capital, the owner of the paper, to voluntarily recognize the Sun Sentinel Guild as a member of the The NewsGuild-CWA. After recognition, the journalists will start bargaining for fair benefits immediately.
For more information, contact Sun Sentinel reporter Rafael Olmeda at 954-304-5256 and Carson Leigh Brown, TNG campaign lead, at 646-988-4264.