Guild Members Fight for Jobs, Quality Journalism

As the news industry slashes tens of thousands of jobs in pursuit of higher profits, it's bad news for journalists, bad news for readers and viewers and even worse news ultimately for American democracy.

That's the message The Newspaper Guild-CWA wants to send to media owners and all Americans on a day of action Dec. 11.

"Guild members must take the lead in the fight to preserve journalism and news industry jobs," Guild President Linda Foley said. "We're calling on news industry employees everywhere to stand up for journalism and to stand with their colleagues who have had their jobs and livelihoods slashed by corporate media barons."

In a statement that will be the centerfold of a website being built for the day of action, the Guild says that more than 44,000 news industry employees lost their jobs between 2001 and June 2006, at least 34,000 of them at newspapers alone. And thousands more cuts have been announced or threatened in just the past few weeks.

At the Philadelphia Inquirer, where Guild members in the midst of a bitter contract fight have voted to authorize a strike if necessary, Publisher Brian Tierney said recently that up to 150 of the 415 newsroom jobs could be cut. As reported in the paper, Tierney suggested that some cuts might be avoided if the Guild agrees to concessions, including a pension freeze that the Guild says could cost many members $1,000 a month in benefits. The Guild has called Tierney's threats a "scare tactic."

Across the country, newspapers, TV news, news magazines and other publishers — from NBC to the Guild-represented Pioneer Press in Minnesota, the non-union Arizona Republic and many more — have announced or begun job cuts.

"This means that throughout the country, there are fewer journalists, fewer diverse media voices, less news and a public that is under-informed," the Guild statement reads. "For democracy's sake, join us in saying no to cutting the jobs of journalists and all employees whose work supports good journalism."

The Guild is ordering thousands of bumper stickers and buttons that say, "Democracy Depends on Journalism. Good Jobs Mean Good Democracy." Wristbands asking, "Who, What, When, Where, Why & How?" will also be available. The items can be ordered from the website, www.savejournalism.org, which is expected to be up and running within a few days.

Media locals that want to take part in the day of action or participate in a Nov. 28 conference call to further plan activities are asked to e-mail the Guild at guild@cwa-union.org.