Journalists at The Journal Times newspaper in Racine, Wisconsin, have announced plans to unionize as the Racine NewsGuild, seeking a partnership with the newspaper’s ownership to protect quality local journalism and to demonstrate a joint commitment to improving services in the Racine area.
Reporters and other newsroom employees at The Journal Times have signed authorization cards and agreed to seek representation by The NewsGuild, a sector of the Communications Workers of America. The Racine NewsGuild will operate as a unit within the Kenosha Newspaper Guild Local 34159, which already represents employees at our sister paper, the Kenosha News in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Located just 20 minutes apart, the Racine and Kenosha newspapers are both owned by Lee Enterprises. So it makes sense that employees at both should be organized and should have equal voices in these newspapers — both of which are respected institutions and vital community resources in southeastern Wisconsin.
As the longtime owner of The Journal Times, Lee Enterprises acquired the Kenosha News five years ago, with the Kenosha union already in place.
Sean Krajacic, president of the Kenosha Newspaper Guild, said he and his colleagues applaud their co-workers in Racine for taking the initiative in joining the Communication Workers of America, which represents about 25,000 journalists and other media workers.
“We at the Kenosha Newspaper Guild have worked in parallel with the reporting staff in Racine for decades,” Krajacic said. “The past five years, we have co-existed under the same company, doing the same work but under vastly different working conditions. It is long overdue for journalists in Racine to have a seat at the table.”
The employees of The Journal Times are asking Lee Enterprises to voluntarily recognize their new union and negotiate a contract that outlines a blueprint for a strong and productive future. If the company decides against voluntary recognition, the employees will petition the National Labor Relations Board for an election allowing the union to get down to work.
Based in Davenport, Iowa, Lee Enterprises owns 77 daily newspapers, including those in St. Louis, Buffalo and Richmond, Virginia. In the first three quarters of this fiscal year, the company reported operating income of $26 million on revenues totaling $527 million.
Journal Times reporter Ryan Patterson, who has worked in Racine for more than two years covering education, said he and his co-workers in the newsroom are seeking a cooperative relationship with management to improve the newspaper for readers in the Racine area.
“We are fighting for a fair, dignified workplace that protects and respects the people who make the newspaper,” Patterson said. “Unionizing can help reporters create impactful journalism in Racine County. We deserve voluntary recognition so we can collectively bargain for a fair contract.”
The Journal Times was founded in 1852 and has a proud tradition of service in Racine County. The news-gathering team reaches thousands of readers through its daily print edition, as well as digital products at journaltimes.com and on various social media platforms.
But the quality of the newspaper and employee morale both have suffered in recent years, largely because of management decisions by Lee Enterprises. The company has cut positions, slashed resources, reduced local news coverage, allowed high employee turnover and forced employees to work under difficult circumstances. Employees hope that organizing will give them a voice in the future of The Journal Times and pursue restoration and renewal.
Our union’s mission statement says: “The Racine NewsGuild is committed to working with management to create a partnership that both allows our members to do their best work and supports them with a healthy work environment.”
Starting more than a year ago, this union grew from a dedicated core group of employees into an official organizing committee and, finally, a movement that is supported by veteran journalists and newcomers alike. We have also enjoyed assistance from our colleagues in Kenosha and from NewsGuild-CWA professional staff.
Reporter Scott Williams, who joined The Journal Times four years ago covering western Racine County, said he has a strong personal commitment to quality local journalism. He said organizing with his colleagues is a vital first step to pursuing excellence on behalf of the newspaper’s readers.
“Individually we are limited in how much we can do to improve this newspaper,” Williams said. “But together, we can approach management and try building a partnership to return The Journal Times to its rightful position of leadership in Racine County.”
Read the Racine NewsGuild mission statement.
To sign a petition urging Lee to voluntarily recognize the Racine NewsGuild, visit: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/urge-management-at-the-journal-times-to-voluntarily-recognize-journalists-of-the-racine-newsguild/
For more information about the Racine NewsGuild, please email racinenewsguild@gmail.com.
About The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America:
The NewsGuiId-CWA represents 25,000 journalists and other media workers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Reuters, The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. It began as the American Newspaper Guild in 1933 and merged with the Communications Workers of America in the 1990s. For more information, visit www.newsguild.org.
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