By Eric Curl
June 5, 2023 – Journalists from the Gannett-owned Savannah Morning News and Athens Banner-Herald announced on Monday their plans to unionize under the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America. This is the first time a Georgia newspaper has unionized under the NewsGuild, according to the press release.
The announcement comes the same day the NewsGuild called for a “No Confidence” vote among shareholders against Gannett CEO Mike Reed, who has reportedly overseen the layoffs of thousands of journalists and a widespread exodus of top-ranking news staff.
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The press release states that the journalists are hoping to formalize the union in the very near future, whether through voluntary recognition from Gannett or with a vote of 13 eligible members. If successful, they said they will begin to negotiate with Gannett Corporate for a fair contract.
Last year, Gannett laid off six Georgia employees, including reporters who covered government, education and the National Championship-winning Georgia Bulldogs football team, according to the press release. In addition to unpaid furloughs during the 2022 Christmas holiday, Gannett reportedly cut benefits to all employees. Last week, Gannett dissolved the Georgia GO Team that was formed last summer to cover statewide news, shifting the journalists’ roles as the company realigns to focus on hyperlocal news, according to the press release
“Across the state, low wages remain stagnant as cost-of-living and inflation soars, making the job we love to do untenable,” the press release states.
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“I am choosing to unionize because I want the Athens community to rest assured knowing that I will continue to serve them no matter who owns their local newspaper,” Andrew Shearer, a 25-year veteran reporter at the Athens Banner-Herald was quoted as saying in the press release.
According to the NewsGuild Mission statement, the journalists consider a union an investment in the newsroom and community.
“Better pay, better working conditions and a seat at the table through a union will improve not only our lives but our communities as well,” the statement reads. “We are asking for Gannett to formally recognize our union, but if it does not, we will vote and we will win.”
The Savannah Morning News reporters listed as supporters of the mission statement and unionization are Zoe Nicholson, Drew Favakeh, Nancy Guan, Will Peebles, Dennis Knight, Latrice Williams, Laura Nwogu and Marisa Mecke. The Athens Banner Herald reporters listed are Andrew N. Shearer, Wayne Ford and Joshua Jones.
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In response to the announcement, Amy Garrard, Gannett Labor Relations Counsel, said in a statement on Monday that Gannett respects the right of employees at the Athens Banner-Herald and the Savannah Morning News to make a fully informed choice to unionize or not.
“Gannett strongly supports the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) election process and has always participated in that process fairly and in good faith,” Garrard said. “Central to that process is a democratic election in which every employee’s voice is heard.”
About the NewsGuild-CWA:
The NewsGuild is a century-old organization with members working in all aspects of print and digital media. It consists of more than 26,000 members across the country, whom they aid in a fight for justice in the workplace and the industry at-large.
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