• by Ray Schultz , June 6, 2024

Union members at several Tribune Publishing newsrooms have ratified a two-year contract with owner Alden Global Capital after five years of negotiations, according to the NewsGuild. 

The agreement provides for wage increases of 3% per year for two years and maintenance of existing 401K matches for all participating employees. 

Some NewsGuild members took part in a 24-hour strike earlier this year. 

The newsrooms include: Orlando Sentinel, Tidewater (The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, The Virginia Gazette, and Tidewater Review); Morning Call, Suburban Chicago Tribune (The Beacon-News, The Courier-News, The Naperville Sun, and The Daily Southtown), along with Design and Production Studios, Hartford Courant and Tribune Content Agency. 

“We finally did it: Orlando Sentinel workers have secured a union contract for the first time in the newspaper’s 148-year history, establishing two years of raises, protecting our retirement plans and overall setting the foundation to build a stronger newsroom,” says Cristóbal Reyes, a member of the Orlando Sentinel Guild and joint bargaining committee.

“Four long years battling with ‘the Darth Vader of the newspaper industry’ have brought us to this moment, and we have no intention of slowing down,” adds Tim Schnupp, a member of the Tribune Content Agency and joint bargaining committee.

The contract also ensures increased Job security and protection, including just cause provisions, a grievance and arbitration process and notice requirements for layoffs.