CWA/NETT Training Helps Journalists Save Jobs in Massachusetts

A CWA/NETT training program for copy editors at the Brockton Enterprise in Massachusetts helped save jobs that the company threatened to outsource.

When management at the Brockton Enterprise newspaper in Massachusetts threatened to outsource layout and design work, CWA/NETT stepped in to provide training that gave copy editors skills in new technologies and computer design applications, and saved their jobs.

The company paid for the training in a settlement after TNG-CWA took the outsourcing threats to arbitration. Seven to eight copy editors took part in each of the two day-long training sessions in April and May. Their instructor was Ron Reason, an international media consultant and professor at the Poynter Institute for journalists.

"This is a great example of how our union can and is helping newspaper workers through this very difficult time in our history," TNG-CWA President Bernie Lunzer said. "The training was exceptional and it benefited both our members and their employer."

David Meril, vice president of TNG-CWA Local 31027, praised the union and CWA/NETT for working together to develop training that specifically met the needs of his members.

In addition to the Brockton training, CWA/NETT contracted with Reason to provide sessions for other New England TNG-CWA members whose jobs are at risk because of the newspaper industry's economic condition.