Longview NewsGuild

Today the Everett NewsGuild is going on strike to protest the recent unfair actions of their new owner, Carpenter Media Group. The Longview NewsGuild shares the following letter to support Everett through this protest and the continued negotiations for a first contract to protect the remaining members. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560889817665

We have officially passed our new contract!

In a unanimous vote earlier this afternoon, the Longview NewsGuild members approved a contract we have spent months negotiating. It raises all members' pay to at least $19 per hour, guarantees our mileage reimbursement won't go below the current rate, and locks in this contract for a full year. Thanks to all of our current and former members who helped to secure these increases. This is an important milestone to help the paper's current staff and invest in the future of the Daily News.

Happy Tuesday, Longview. We’re back at the bargaining table after Lee Enterprises gave us a shockingly inadequate wage proposal at last week’s session, and we need your help by signing this petition.

We offered Lee a thoughtful wage proposal that included step increases for years of experience, as well as cost of living increases. Our proposal did not ask for the moon. It was a reasonable scale, taking into account the growing cost of living in our city.

The company struck through our entire wage proposal and gave us back essentially a single sentence: Minimum wages are $16.69 an hour and we’re "not inclined" to give yearly raises.

That’s the current wage rate at The Daily News for most members of staff, even those who have been with the company for years. The proposal made no acknowledgement of time with the company, nor did it include cost of living increases, which all of us are feeling more than ever.

When other jobs are advertising a $17 or $18 starting wage with no experience, consistent hours and yearly increases, nothing but passion is keeping TDN’s reporters at their desks. But passion doesn’t pay the bills.

We’re calling on Lee to meet us at the table with a sincere counter and recognize our worth, and hope you’ll join us in doing the same.

Lee Enterprises must pay its journalists in Longview a living wage The journalists of The Daily News in Longview, Washington, deserve better than Lee Enterprises' last wage proposal. The company must commit to sustainable pay for its staff.

Great news -- today, Lee's board of directors rejected vulture hedge fund Alden's offer to buy the company.

"After careful consideration with its financial and legal advisors, Lee’s Board determined that Alden’s proposal grossly undervalues Lee and is not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders," the press release said.

Thank you so much to our community and our union brothers and sisters who helped us fight this. We know we have to keep on guard against future offers and keep fighting for a fair contract, but for now, we've turned back Alden.

Full press release:

Lee Enterprises Board of Directors Unanimously Rejects Unsolicited Proposal from Alden | Lee Enterprises, Inc. The Investor Relations website contains information about Lee Enterprises, Inc.'s business for stockholders, potential investors, and financial analysts.

This morning, we start bargaining! We're looking forward to creating a better, stronger newsroom. We'll be posting updates over the next few days -- thank you for your support as we enter this next stage!