Organizing Update

Delaware Online and Delaware News Journal

The staff of Delaware Online and Delaware News Journal said Monday they are forming a unit of the NewsGuild-CWA to preserve the quality of their coverage and to fight for the future of their newsroom. Nearly 70 percent of newsroom staff completed union authorization cards indicating support for the Delaware News Guild.

"The News Journal, like many other newspapers, has endured countless rounds of layoffs and cuts," organizers wrote in a press statement. "This, combined with growing health care costs, stagnant salaries, and constant staff turnover makes it difficult to maintain the high caliber of journalism that we strive for – and that Delawareans deserve," they said.

The staff of Delaware Online and Delaware News Journal are forming a unit of the NewsGuild-CWA to preserve the quality of their coverage and to fight for the future of their newsroom.

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Idaho Statesman

The journalists of the Idaho Statesman announced plans to form a unit of the NewsGuild-CWA on March 2, becoming the first employees of a McClatchy-owned publication to seek union rights since the company filed for bankruptcy. All of the Statesman's 16 eligible newsroom employees signed a mission statement signaling support for the Idaho News Guild. 

In forming the union, the Statesman's journalists are seeking to preserve Idaho news, ensure their ability to tell the community's stories, and give staff input in decisions. Organizers plan to advocate for a more stable newsroom, pay equity, improved healthcare benefits, and compensation that rewards experience.

Reporter Ruth Brown, who has been at the Statesman for three years, said, "Our newsroom works every day to deliver news that is vital to our community, and I'm proud to be a part of it. Forming a union is the best way to strengthen our newsroom by giving our journalists a voice."