Organizing Update

The Arizona Republic

In an historic vote last Thursday, newsroom employees at The Arizona Republic voted to join NewsGuild-CWA, beating back an extremely aggressive anti-union campaign. The Arizona Republic Guild's victory comes ahead of a pending merger between Gannett and behemoth GateHouse Media that threatens to cut $300 million from the combined companies.

"This is an historic decision to protect local journalism," consumer reporter and organizing committee member Rebekah Sanders said. "We have sent a powerful message to Gannett that we expect dignified layoff severance, fair wages, and a voice in the decisions that affect our future."
 
Reporter Alden Woods, a member of the organizing committee, said, "Today our journalists won a collective voice in our future and the future of Arizona journalism. Tomorrow, we start putting that voice to good use."