Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Members of the Chicago Tribune Guild, part of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), won their first contract with Alden Global Capital last week after six years of bargaining.
Alden Global Capital, which has a well-established reputation of gutting and slashing newsrooms, began buying into the Tribune Publishing Company in 2019. The hedge fund fully acquired the paper in May 2021. This landmark contract was ratified with near-unanimous approval on Friday, providing two years of consecutive raises and an immediate signing bonus. The agreement also retains Guild members’ 401(k) match, raises minimum salary floors and establishes essential protections against artificial intelligence outsourcing.
“We won because we fought, and we fought because we believe in the work we do for Chicago,” said Unit Chair Jake Sheridan. “The world needs people to push for truth right now. That’s what we do. This contract gives us a little more stability and a little more pay so we can keep doing it.”