Union Bid for Knight Ridder Newspapers Goes Forward

TNG-CWA remains an active player in the bid for 12 newspapers that are part of the Knight Ridder chain but are slated to be sold by the chain's announced buyer, the McClatchy Co., TNG-CWA President Linda Foley reported.

Included in the 12 newspapers to be sold are eight represented by TNG-CWA: the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Duluth News Tribune, Grand Forks Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, San Jose Mercury News, Akron Beacon Journal, and The Monterey County Herald. These have a combined employment of approximately 7,000 and a combined daily circulation of 1.3 million.

At all the TNG-CWA represented newspapers, union members are collecting statements of support for keeping a quality, hometown newspaper from community leaders, elected officials, residents and others. Those are being forwarded to McClatchy as that company moves forward with the sale of 12 newspapers.

In San Jose, Calif., more than two dozen elected officials and community leaders so far have signed a statement as part of the campaign to "save one of America's best newspapers." More information on the San Jose campaign is available at www.savethemerc.com.

Advisors to TNG-CWA will meet with representatives of McClatchy and their investment advisors. The TNG-CWA effort is backed by The Yucaipa Companies, the largest "worker friendly" investment fund in the nation. Workers at the newspapers will be able to invest in the union-led buyout, using 401k funds, but the TNG-CWA bid is not dependent on employee investment. 

More information is available at www.knightridderwatch.org.