Senator John Fetterman expressed solidarity with journalists who have either engaged in strikes or faced layoffs in recent weeks.
In a statement, Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of a living wage and fair contracts for maintaining a free press, asserting that these elements are crucial for upholding a functional democracy.
Fetterman’s statement follows a series of walkouts staged by more than 200 journalists from the Chicago Tribune and seven other newsrooms across the country.
Strikes Tribune (Credits: Politico)
These journalists participated in 24-hour strikes, advocating for fair wages and contract negotiations. Fetterman specifically highlighted the Morning Call in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, as a local outlet that took part in the walkouts.
The Morning Call, identified as the third-largest newspaper in Pennsylvania, has been a notable participant in the recent labor actions.
This walkout is not an isolated incident; it follows the Los Angeles Times Guild’s walkout from newsrooms two weeks ago. The Los Angeles Times Guild took this action in response to management’s announcement of plans to lay off a significant portion of its journalists.
The news industry has faced challenges in the early months of 2024. A report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealed that over 500 journalists were laid off from newsrooms in January alone.
This figure doesn’t include additional layoffs reported at The Messenger and The Wall Street Journal later in the week.
The Messenger, a news site that launched less than a year ago, announced its closure on Wednesday due to financial difficulties, according to founder Jimmy Finkelstein.
Fetterman criticized the billionaire owners of The Messenger, accusing them of shutting down the news site and terminating hundreds of workers without any prior notice.
Fetterman called for a swift resolution to ongoing contract negotiations, urging management to cease delaying and provide workers with the compensation they deserve.
He emphasized the power of collective action among workers, citing examples such as the historic United Auto Workers deal and the SAG-AFTRA agreement over the past year as demonstrations of the strength workers possess when standing together for fair treatment.
The NewsGuild, an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America, represents journalists from various media outlets, including POLITICO.
Fetterman’s statement underscores the broader concern within the journalism industry regarding fair compensation, contract negotiations, and the broader impact of layoffs on a free and functioning press.
