Journalists In Largest U.S. Newspaper Chain Stage Walkout In Clash With CEO

The biggest newspaper chain in the country is about to be rocked by the biggest walkout of its staff in history. On Monday, hundreds of Gannett journalists plan to stage a one-day strike during the media company’s annual shareholder meeting.

Photo Insert: Morale at Gannett has not been great over the course of the last year.

Their message is that Gannett needs new leadership, Oliver Darcy reported for CNN.

The journalists want shareholders to take a vote of no-confidence against Mike Reed, Gannett’s chief executive. The NewsGuild-CWA, the union that represents more than 1,000 employees and dozens of bargaining units, has argued Reed has hollowed out newsrooms as a result of misplaced priorities.

“Reed doesn’t care one bit about a long-term strategy to invest in the company by investing in journalists,” NewsGuild President Jon Schleuss said in a biting statement.

“They need support and resources to make sure our communities have the local news needed to keep our democracy thriving. Instead, Reed’s singular focus has been on stuffing his own pockets. Reed has overstayed his welcome at Gannett and needs to go.”

The walkout Monday (Tuesday, June 5, 2023, in Manila) will see participation from 24 Gannett newspapers across seven states, notably the Arizona Republic, Austin American-Statesman, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, and the Palm Beach Post.

The NewsGuild-CWA said that some newsrooms will strike for as long as two days.

Morale at Gannett has not been great over the course of the last year. The company executed what it described as “incredibly difficult” layoffs in December, axing hundreds of jobs as it targeted 6% of roles in its news division.

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