Organizing Update

Austin American-Statesman

This week, journalists at the Gannett-owned Austin American-Statesman voted to form the Austin NewsGuild.

“We’re excited to move forward with a voice in our future and to continue to #KeepAustinInformed,” the organizing committee tweeted when the results were announced.

###

Missouri ACLU

Employees of the Missouri ACLU announced last week that they are joining the United Media Guild/NewsGuild-CWA Local 36047.

“As we continue to build a more perfect union, and in the spirit of the ACLU, we expect our union to be recognized and look forward to beginning the bargaining process,” the organizing committee said in a statement.

###

HuffPost Canada

Workers at HuffPost Canada and Huffpost Quebec filed for union certification with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on Tuesday after a majority of staffers signed cards showing support for joining CWA Canada.

“In an increasingly unstable industry, we want to solidify what we love about working at HuffPost, as well as improve conditions for both current and future employees,” organizing committee members said in a statement.

CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon welcomed the group: “These are tough times in the media industry and it is more important than ever that people have a real say in their workplace – for their own good and for the success of the company,” he said.

###

Southern California News Group

Journalists at 11 daily newspapers owned by the Southern California News Group announced Wednesday plans to join TNG-CWA. The SCNG is owned by Alden Global Capital’s MediaNews Group, the New York-based hedge fund notorious for slashing newsroom budgets to the bone. Last week, Alden Global announced a $630 million deal to buy Tribune Publishing newspapers, even as it refuses to invest in its own newsrooms.

“Our journalists have labored for years under increasingly difficult conditions. We intend to reverse that trend,” members of SCNG Guild said in a statement announcing their plans.