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journalist san antonio express news MySA.com and MySA.com announced their intention to unionize on Wednesday, becoming the fourth news organization in Texas to announce a union effort in 2024. san antonio report, texas tribuneand houston landing.
The workers said their union, the San Antonio News Guild, has the support of 68% of the newsroom (46 employees in a 68-person department) and voluntarily filed a petition against management. We asked them to provide their approval.
The union said in a press release that Hearst’s labor attorneys rejected the request for voluntary recognition and is now filing for election to the National Labor Relations Board.
The union outlined its mission statement in a statement.
“We strive for an inclusive environment where all members feel respected, valued and able to reach their full potential. We are committed to promoting a workplace that respects differences in species, gender, age, sexual orientation, and background. We advocate for fair and competitive compensation, stable benefits, and career development opportunities. . of san antonio express news and MySA are unionizing to protect our future as a news provider. ”
of express news The journalists’ decision to unionize is part of a larger wave of unionization across an industry already in long decline, with record layoffs in 2023. Los Angeles Times,NPR, washington postGannett Newspapers, and many other newsrooms.
Richard Marini is a general assignment reporter for the SA Life section. express news A veteran who has worked at the paper for 23 years. He said the paper’s reporters want to secure their careers and avoid problems that have occurred at the paper in the past.
“We did some stretching there.” express news “For about 10 years, from 2009 to probably 2019, there were no raises at all,” he said.
Marini said he is happy with the paper’s current leadership but knows things could get worse.
“We don’t want to go back to a situation where if a publisher leaves or an editor leaves, you go 10 years without a raise or you have two relatively large layoffs.” He said.
The union’s press release also refers to contraction as “shrinkage.” express news Reporters have recently experienced “unsustainability” as they are forced to do more with less.
An email from the newspaper’s publisher, Mark Medici, to staff on Wednesday morning was shared with TPR, in which he discussed employee benefits and an email the union recently sent to union-eligible colleagues. They opposed the union’s efforts.
“Notably, the latest 401k benefit is for non-union employees only and is significantly better than the 401k benefit negotiated by the guild representative unit within Hearst Newspapers,” Medici said. he said in an email.
Mr. Medici was quoted by a member of Hearst’s union newsroom as saying: Albany Times Unionhas been unsuccessful in contract negotiations for 14 years, and suggested the situation could be even worse if workers formed a union.
“Here’s what the email didn’t say: If the union is certified; express news, both sides will start negotiations with a clean slate,” he said. “All existing wages and benefits will be considered, and the union cannot make any guarantees as to the outcome. There is no guarantee that contract negotiations will be successful or that salaries and benefits will remain as they are, much less be increased. No.”
The San Antonio News Guild said Mr. Medici’s message represented “the latest in a continuing pattern of union-busting by management,” and that management is internally targeting the union negatively through misinformation. I was trying to draw it.
Elaine Ayala is a subway columnist and another longtime veteran. express newssaid in a union press release that the journalists are forming the union out of love for the paper.
“We did not make this decision lightly,” she said. “We created this with careful consideration of the past, present and future of this newsroom. The truth is we needed union representation. express news I am happy that this day has finally come after a long time. What we know is that we will continue to produce great journalism, be honest with our work and each other, and committed to working with management to achieve our common goals. It means to do it. ”
Beyond having a say on layoff protections and continued pay increases, Marini said the union will wait until contract negotiations with the union. express news Before we get into the specifics, let’s start.
of express news We are the largest and oldest newsroom in San Antonio.of san antonio express was founded in 1865 and acquired by William Randolph Hearst in 1992. The company is still owned by Hearst Corporation, which also owns three unionized and nonunion newspapers across the country. houston chronicle.
Marini said unionizing journalists recognize the paper’s history as another reason to unionize.
Newsroom staff at the digital nonprofit outlet said they have 100% support from their colleagues. They seek to address pay inequality, furlough protections, barriers between donors and journalism, and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, among other issues.
“I think this is a way to help continue our 150-year history. express news We’re publishing it,” Marini said. “I was there when we celebrated its 150th anniversary. So I think having strong unions and unity among newsrooms will help it continue.”
of express news The unit is organized in conjunction with the Media Guild of the West, which is part of the News Guild Communication Workers of America. The organization is also organizing three other Texas newsrooms that have announced unionization in 2024.
Marini said he has been involved in union negotiations for several months and that discussions are taking place within the union. express news 1 year.
Most union organizers in newsrooms are much younger than Marini, who is 67 years old. He said he should have thought about forming a union years ago, but he’s happy to be among his colleagues today.
“I’m very impressed by the fact that most of the reporters behind this case, at least in my eyes, are relatively young,” he said. “I wish we had done something like this years ago. But I was so impressed by their enthusiasm. They looked around and saw the volatile world of journalism. , I think they feel like they might be able to have a more stable and successful career as a journalist.”
In an email to staff, Medici said he thought the union was the wrong decision.
“I continue to believe that you and the Express-News work better when there is a direct relationship between employees and management,” Medici said. “This is the best way to maintain the culture we have built to provide top-notch journalism to our community, as well as competitive pay and benefits.”
Express-News Editor-in-Chief Marc Duvoisin shared comments from Hearst Newspapers President Jeff Johnson regarding the unionization announcement.
“I want to make the case to our employees on the merits that it is not in their best interest to unionize the Express-News newsroom,” Johnson said in a statement. “Hearst places a high value on direct relationships with our employees, and our track record of additional benefits, annual bonuses for all employees, and no-layoff policy during the pandemic is second to none in the media industry. .”
Mr. Duovisin also shared additional comments from Mr. Medici.
“Express-News journalists receive raises every year and have not experienced any of the furloughs, pay cuts, layoffs, or other severe austerity that has recently swept the news industry,” Medici said in a statement. . “Even in the midst of a pandemic, Hearst pays out merit raises, and last year the paper significantly increased pay for entry-level reporters to attract and retain top talent. All of this comes at the expense of top-notch journalism. “This is consistent with Hearst’s mission to serve our community, treat our employees fairly, and ensure the long-term viability of our newspapers.”
Both san antonio report And that texas tribuneoperated as a non-profit organization. express newsreceived voluntary recognition from their respective management teams within weeks of the union’s announcement.
The Express-News has not yet set a date for the NLRB election.
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