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Southwest Florida journos attempting to unionize

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Rockbottom, Feb 24, 2020.

  1. Rockbottom

    Rockbottom Well-Known Member



    rb
     
    HanSenSE likes this.
  2. FileNotFound

    FileNotFound Well-Known Member

    I’m totally in favor of this, but it seems like too little too late. Unless they’re willing to strike to get a contract — and other locals would have to join and not cross that virtual picket line — the organization efforts, while laudable, seem largely symbolic. I’d love to hear otherwise.
     
  3. Severian

    Severian Well-Known Member

    It's not just the southwest, the Orlando Sentinel and Palm Beach Post have also unionized.
     
  4. Marvin

    Marvin Active Member

    I'm asking this because I honestly don't know, what good would unionizing do when at this point people are still going to be let go? I believe the News-Press has already lost it's building, already lost most of its staff and really lost its identity.

    Is this mostly just to try and have a voice in the room when the next hits happen?
     
  5. Severian

    Severian Well-Known Member

    Having a union makes management unilterally firing people much more difficult. It also brings management to the table regarding pay, working conditions, retirement and how people get cut, if need be. Unions are much-needed in newsrooms.
     
  6. Marvin

    Marvin Active Member

    Why?

    If there’s a financial tailspin, and there clearly is, why would it make it tougher to get rid of people?

    Maybe this is the question: How could a newsroom union have any leverage in this kind of climate?
     
  7. Fredrick

    Fredrick Well-Known Member

    I agree. I'm all for unions but I wonder how they have any effect when papers are out of money and going bankrupt, etc. I was thinking many veteran journalist stars have been cut at papers that are unionized.
     
  8. hondo

    hondo Well-Known Member

    Because layoffs have to be negotiated if you’re a guild or union. Management is required to show financials to see if there are alternatives to layoffs. Being union doesn’t prevent layoffs but it does help you go into a four corners.
     
  9. SoloFlyer

    SoloFlyer Well-Known Member

    Unions can also bargain for better severance packages and healthcare benefits for those who do get laid off.

    Non-union layoffs get whatever the company feels like.
     
  10. Severian

    Severian Well-Known Member

    Couldn't have said it better myself.
     
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