Centre Daily Times Workers Speedrun Contract Process To Beat Back AI Slop

In August, journalists at the Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.) ratified their first union contract. The news outlet is owned by McClatchy, a media and publishing company headquartered in Sacramento, Calif. The workers are represented by the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia (TNG-CWA Local 38010).

Earlier this year, several workers began discussing the prospect of forming a union after McClatchy rolled out an artificial intelligence (AI) “tool” that published AI-generated articles under the bylines of journalists. Other represented shops protested the abuse of their professional reputations and the misuse of generative AI. Within a week of initial conversations, the entire staff was on board and contacted the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia’s Executive Director Bill Ross. Every worker signed a union authorization card, showing unanimous support to form a union.

The Centre Daily Times’ union was officially recognized in June, and bargaining began in July. The contract was formally ratified in August. Despite the speed of execution, members managed to win significant wage increases and protections from the abuse of AI.

“This all came together quickly, but it was still well thought out,” added Jon Sauber, a sports reporter at the outlet for seven years. “We were able to lean on both the PhillyGuild and our colleagues at other McClatchy properties that have done this before us. Without that critical assistance, we likely wouldn’t even be halfway finished right now.”

Congratulations to the speedy news crew at the Centre Daily Times!