• by Ray Schultz , October 23, 2024

The Austin American-Statesman has agreed to a tentative deal with the Austin NewsGuild union. 

The tentative agreement with the Gannett publication covers two years.

Workers struck in 2023 and 2024 to protest the lack of a contract.

The deal, which must still be ratified by members, includes: 

• Minimum salaries, starting at $50,000 upon hiring, rising to $55,000 at five years and $60,000 at 10 years 
• Health insurance with premiums frozen at the current rate until January 2026
• General wage increases, including a $1-per-hour raise in the first year and an equal increase in the second year
• Job protections, with layoffs, if needed, by inverse order of seniority with some exceptions 

 “We went without raises, picketed, social media shamed the company, went on strike with 100% participation twice, and phone zapped the CEO to make this happen,” says Nicole Villalpando, chair of the Austin NewsGuild.

Amy Garrard, Gannett labor relations counsel, comments, "We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the Austin NewsGuild. As we await ratification, our priority is to continue delivering essential journalism and serving the Austin community.”