Chicago Tribune Employees Win Union Recognition

 

The Chicago Tribune Guild reached a historic agreement with Tronc, Inc., on Sunday for the media company to voluntarily recognize the journalists' union after more than 85 percent of eligible employees signed cards signaling support for joining NewsGuild-CWA. The union recognition includes employees at the Chicago Tribune as well as at several suburban Chicago newspapers and the newly formed Design and Production Studio.

Given the 170-year-old Chicago Tribune's history of anti-union sentiment, the deal is especially notable. With voluntary recognition, legal protections for all of the included newsrooms take effect immediately.

In a letter sent to colleagues Sunday evening announcing the agreement, the Guild's organizing committee stated that "in the face of pernicious corporate influence on our industry, we need a better way to advocate for our work, protect the future of our and the next generation's journalism careers and strengthen our coverage of Chicago."

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