Showing posts with label newspaper guild. Show all posts
Showing posts with label newspaper guild. Show all posts
Apr 23, 2009
Deadline day at the Daily News
In a last-ditch attempt to avert another round of newsroom layoffs, guild members at the Los Angeles Daily News have asked management to let them voluntarily cut back their work hours. The Daily News plans to fire five staffers today - two staffers have reportedly accepted buyouts - as part of a plan to slash 15 percent from the newsroom budget. In an email to LA Observed, a guild member says wage cuts might still be on the table at the Daily News - althought it's left unclear to me whether this will happen despite, or in lieu of, layoffs.
Aug 5, 2008
Guild tries to build pressure
Amidst contract negotiations, the guild representing the Long Beach Press-Telegram newsroom has apparently found a friend in a local auto dealer/P-T advertiser. After meeting with guild members, he sent management an e-mail warning that he might pull his advertising if they don't pull proposed contract language that would allow MediaNews to outsource editorial work.
Amidst contract negotiations, the guild representing the Long Beach Press-Telegram newsroom has apparently found a friend in a local auto dealer/P-T advertiser. After meeting with guild members, he sent management an e-mail warning that he might pull his advertising if they don't pull proposed contract language that would allow MediaNews to outsource editorial work.
Dec 20, 2007
Second take
The Newspaper Guild wants editorial employees at the Contra Costa Times to form a union. According to this article, guild members in California generally make less than their competitors, they rarely receive meaningful raises, their reps have done almost nothing to prevent staff cuts (unless they're able to sacrifice reporters in sister newsrooms), their reps seem powerless to prevent job reprisals and the group's claim to fame is convincing reporters at the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minneapolis to assist the advertising department.
That's some pitch.
I'm well aware of the fact that Singleton has depressed newsroom wages (a starting reporter at the Vacaville Reporter makes between $12 and $13 an hour) and that organizing can provide some benefits. But why form a union to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic?
If you want to do good journalism and get paid a decent wage for it, get out. Or organize to change the Singleton business model. Otherwise, all your negotiating will only get you a better spot on the assembly line.
The Newspaper Guild wants editorial employees at the Contra Costa Times to form a union. According to this article, guild members in California generally make less than their competitors, they rarely receive meaningful raises, their reps have done almost nothing to prevent staff cuts (unless they're able to sacrifice reporters in sister newsrooms), their reps seem powerless to prevent job reprisals and the group's claim to fame is convincing reporters at the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minneapolis to assist the advertising department.
That's some pitch.
I'm well aware of the fact that Singleton has depressed newsroom wages (a starting reporter at the Vacaville Reporter makes between $12 and $13 an hour) and that organizing can provide some benefits. But why form a union to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic?
If you want to do good journalism and get paid a decent wage for it, get out. Or organize to change the Singleton business model. Otherwise, all your negotiating will only get you a better spot on the assembly line.
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