The GateHouse-Gannett Merger: Bad News

Statement by NewsGuild-CWA 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 14, 2019

Washington, D.C. – “The vote by shareholders approving the merger of GateHouse Media and Gannett is bad news.

“The deal is bad for journalists, it’s bad for readers and it’s bad for the future of local journalism,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Bernie Lunzer. “Local papers will likely vanish, jobs will be slashed, and reporting will suffer.” Continue reading “The GateHouse-Gannett Merger: Bad News”

NewsGuild-CWA: GateHouse-Gannett Deal Threatens Journalism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 8, 2019  

Washington, D.C. – The merger of GateHouse Media and Gannett poses a threat to journalism, an analysis by The NewsGuild-CWA shows.

“This merger will hurt the communities these media organizations serve,” said NewsGuild President Bernie Lunzer. “To fund the merger, local papers will likely disappear, jobs will be slashed, and journalism will suffer.” Continue reading “NewsGuild-CWA: GateHouse-Gannett Deal Threatens Journalism”

Despite management’s vicious anti-union campaign, journalists of Arizona Republic win overwhelming victory

Oct. 11, 2019 – In a historic vote, newsroom employees at The Arizona Republic voted 64 to 30 to unionize as part of the NewsGuild-CWA on Oct. 10.

The workers’ win follows one of the most aggressive anti-union campaigns in the industry in recent memory and prompted joyous celebration. Continue reading “Despite management’s vicious anti-union campaign, journalists of Arizona Republic win overwhelming victory”

As GateHouse-Gannett Merger Looms, Guild Takes Message to GateHouse Readers: Preserve Local News

Oct. 10, 2019 – The NewsGuild-CWA is takings its campaign to “Preserve Local News” to readers on Thursday as it distributes flyers outside more than 50 GateHouse newspapers across 14 states.

The flyers decry GateHouse Media’s aggressive program of layoffs and cost-cutting as the company prepares for a potential merger with the Gannett Corp. GateHouse says there will be up to $300 million in additional cuts and “synergies” following the merger. Continue reading “As GateHouse-Gannett Merger Looms, Guild Takes Message to GateHouse Readers: Preserve Local News”

As GateHouse-Gannett Merger Looms, NewsGuild-CWA Takes Message to GateHouse Readers: Preserve Our Local News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 10, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NewsGuild-CWA will take its campaign to “Preserve Our Local News” to readers on Thursday when it distributes flyers outside more than 50 GateHouse newspapers across 14 states. Continue reading “As GateHouse-Gannett Merger Looms, NewsGuild-CWA Takes Message to GateHouse Readers: Preserve Our Local News”

Citing ‘overwhelming majority’ support, Arizona Republic Guild seeks voluntary recognition from Gannett, files for election with NLRB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 16, 2019

Contact: Arizona Republic Guild
azrepublicguild@gmail.com

Citing support from an “overwhelming majority” of workers, a delegation of newsroom employees officially asked Gannett to voluntarily recognize the Arizona Republic Guild as a unit of The NewsGuild-CWA today. Recognizing the union would set the stage for contract negotiations to begin. Continue reading “Citing ‘overwhelming majority’ support, Arizona Republic Guild seeks voluntary recognition from Gannett, files for election with NLRB”

Arizona Republic Newsroom Staff Announce Plan to Unionize

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 4, 2019

Contact: Arizona Republic Guild
azrepublicguild@gmail.com 

PHOENIX — The Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom of The Arizona Republic officially announced Wednesday its journalists are taking steps to unionize the state’s paper of record to have a seat at the table as a major corporate merger looms.

Reporters, photographers, producers, columnists, copy editors and other employees have signed union authorization cards stating their desire to be voluntarily recognized or hold an election to join The NewsGuild-CWA.

Continue reading “Arizona Republic Newsroom Staff Announce Plan to Unionize”

Facing Gannett, GateHouse Merger, NewsGuild Renews Commitment to Save Local News

For Immediate Release, Aug. 5, 2019

 Contact: Sally Davidow
(202) 434-1162

Bernie Lunzer
(202) 258-3231

Aug. 5, 2019 – The NewsGuild-CWA is watching with concern the announced acquisition Monday of Gannett by New Media Investment Group, the owner of GateHouse Media.

In recent years, news company mergers have resulted in a degradation of news coverage and a reduction of jobs. Mergers like this one have resulted in the creation of news deserts and the reduction of coverage of high school sports, city council meetings, and the watchdog function news organizations play in American society.

In the face of the merger, The NewsGuild is renewing its commitment to fight for journalism that enables communities to hold local government and business accountable, that tells the stories of neighborhoods and unites the people. The NewsGuild is determined to save local news. Continue reading “Facing Gannett, GateHouse Merger, NewsGuild Renews Commitment to Save Local News”

Providence, Worcester Guild units approve contracts with GateHouse

July 27, 2019 – NewsGuild-CWA members at the Providence Journal and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette voted overwhelmingly to approve proposed contracts in separate votes Wednesday, ending years of difficult bargaining with GateHouse Media, the private equity fund that controls their newspapers. Continue reading “Providence, Worcester Guild units approve contracts with GateHouse”

Reports, resolutions from NewsGuild sector conference now posted

Feb. 1, 2019 – Reports and resolutions that were presented and adopted at The NewsGuild’s Sector Conference, Jan. 25-27, are now available. Continue reading “Reports, resolutions from NewsGuild sector conference now posted”