Organizing Update

The Bradenton Herald

The journalists of the Bradenton Herald won union recognition on Tuesday, voting to form the Bradenton Herald NewsGuild. They are part of an ongoing wave of union organizing in Florida and among employees of the McClatchy chain, which has filed for bankruptcy.

"Today, the newsroom of the Bradenton Herald stood up, not just to demand better working conditions for ourselves, but to preserve quality local journalism in Bradenton, and our voices were heard," said veteran reporter Jessica De Leon.

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Digital Journalists at the Seattle Times

The digital journalists at the Seattle Times announced plans Tuesday to form a union and to join their colleagues in the Pacific Northwest local of The NewsGuild-CWA. More than 100 Seattle Times journalists are already members of the union.

The unit will have approximately 15 members and will represent digital producers, engagement editors, video journalists, and web developers.

Organizers presented Seattle Times management with a request for voluntary recognition. If management refuses to voluntarily recognize the union, workers will file for an election with the National Labor Relations Board.