• by Ray Schultz , April 25, 2024

An 18-day strike against Gannett’s Democrat & Chronicle (Rochester, New York) has ended despite the sides not having settled on a deal. 

The workers returned to work on Thursday morning. 

The Newspaper Guild of Rochester claims Gannett inserted language into the contract the sides had seemed to agree to. 

“We bargained with the company this morning for the first time in 13 days and they gave us a proposal that at first glance was something that didn’t include everything we hoped for but was something we could live with,” says  Justin Murphy, vice chair of the Newspaper Guild of Rochester. “Unfortunately, they gave it to us in a form that didn’t make clear where they had made changes.”

The newspaper denied these charges. 

“We are pleased our Democrat and Chronicle colleagues are back to work focused on serving the Rochester community,” says Lark-Marie Anton, spokesperson for the Democrat & Chronicle.

Anton adds “When Guild leaders come to the table focused on serious negotiation rather than creating a circus of false narratives; our local management is always prepared to negotiate in good faith.”