As announced last week, hundreds of Gannett employees walked out on Monday to protest the alleged hollowing out of local newsrooms under CEO Mike Reed.
The labor action was the largest in Gannett’s history, reports Mediapost. The union representing the journalists said the walkout included workers from about two dozen newsrooms, including The Palm Beach Post, The Arizona Republic, and The Austin American-Statesman. The demonstrations were expected to continue on Tuesday for some newsrooms.
No action against Reed was taken at a Gannett shareholder’s meeting on Monday. The NewsGuild, the union representing Gannett newsroom workers, had demanded a vote of no confidence in Reed.
The staff walkouts were slated to continue into Tuesday at some locations.
Union members charged that Gannett had failed to support them.
“For years, we’ve been handed poverty wages and continually stripped of the resources we need to do our job,” said Cheryl Makin, reporter for the Home News Tribune and vice chair of the APP-MCJ Guild, last week. “My colleagues and I are each doing the work of several reporters.”
According to the NYTimes, a statement from Gannett spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton says, ““During a very challenging time for our industry and economy, Gannett strives to provide competitive wages, benefits and meaningful opportunities for all our valued employees.”
Anton adds, “Our leadership is focused on investing in local newsrooms and monetizing our content as we continue to negotiate fairly and in good faith with the NewsGuild.”
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