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.
Journalists at the New York Daily News reached a tentative agreement with the paper’s owner, Alden Global Capital, for a first contract. The union members still must vote to ratify the contract. The NewsGuild of New York, an affiliate of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), represents the tabloid’s print, digital and photo employees.
“I could not be prouder of everyone in the Daily News Union who made this possible,” said Michael Sheridan, unit chair of the Daily News Union. “Winning the first contract for the Daily News’ workers in more than 30 years was an uphill battle. From the historic walkout to distributing flyers and organizing rallies, it was a Herculean effort. But it never would have happened without the dedicated efforts of dozens of people, including those who have left the News for bigger and better things.”
The contract includes minimum salaries of $60,000 at ratification and $63,000 by May 2026; minimum salaries of $75,000 for senior reporters and senior content editors; annual raises at ratification of 3% across the board and another 3% across-the-board increase in May 2026; expanded benefits for part-timers, including health care coverage for the first time; protection of the current flexible time-off plan for those who currently have it and for any new hires in the sports department going forward; preservation of retirement benefits and enhanced paid leave; just cause protections that guarantee due process and representation should a worker face discipline or termination; performance reviews that take stock rather than presaging disciplinary action; stronger health and safety protections for reporters and photographers regarding harassment, assignment safety, trauma and other risks; training requirements for new programs, processes and protocols; creation of a Labor Management Committee to address workplace issues; the establishment of rights and legal protections for source confidentiality; and the creation of editorial integrity protocols and protections against advertiser and third-party interests.
“This tentative agreement is the direct result of our Daily News Union members’ perseverance and determination to fight for the worth of their work covering this great city of ours,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “Winning this contract means our journalists will be able to continue to report on the news that New Yorkers need to stay aware, safe and informed. New York needs its Hometown Paper and its Hometown Journalists more than ever.”