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.
The staff of Hearst Connecticut Media Group went public with their union drive on Thursday, with more than 80% of the bargaining unit having signed union authorization cards.
Reporters, photographers, editors and digital producers in the state’s largest newsroom have been organizing with The NewsGuild-CWA to secure better pay, fair scheduling and a meaningful voice on the job. Members of the Connecticut News Guild have stated that in addition to wanting to improve their own conditions, they want to use their efforts as a means to push back on larger trends in local journalism across the country—namely, media consolidation, depressed wages, the unregulated use of artificial intelligence and hasty return-to-office mandates. Hearst owns 10 daily and 13 weekly newspapers, as well as a statewide magazine and website, and despite the fact these publications cover some of the wealthiest municipalities in the country, many reporters and photographers are earning well below the mean state income.
“We’re passionate about our livelihoods and the service we provide to our readers,” digital producer Adrian Szkolar said. “That’s why we’re coming together as one. We want to have a seat at the table and work with Hearst to be sure that our quality work will continue in the future.”