Gannett reaches contract deal with three N.J. newspapers

A walkout at three Gannett-owned New Jersey newspapers was averted today after their union announced a tentative contract with raises and job protections after a three-year battle, the News Guild of New York announced today.

Journalists at the Asbury Park Press, Courier News, and Home News Tribune voted to walk out last week after a protracted fight to get a contract.

“After three years, our members were willing to put their livelihoods on the line in our fight for sustainable salaries, regular wage increases and strong job protections,” said  Mike Davis, acting unit chair of the APP-MCJ Guild and an Asbury Park Press reporter. “This agreement is a testament to their strength, tenacity and solidarity and should serve as proof-positive for other Gannett newsrooms, who should stop asking nicely and start using their collective power to demand what they deserve.”

The deal includes strong salary floors for current and prospective employees, with increases as high as $23,000.  It also includes guaranteed pay hikes, “strong jurisdiction language” to protect employees against outsourcing of work, and the establishment of seniority, severance and recall lists if Gannett forces future layoffs.

Gannett has also agreed to “guardrails” around the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), assuring workers that AI would supplement local news and not replace it.”

“Our Gannett journalists have been at the forefront of the fight to protect local news. Winning life-changing contracts with fair wages and good job protections ensures they will be able to continue to report local news in their communities,” said NewsGuild of New York President Susan DeCarava.  “It is why we fight so hard to raise the standard of working conditions in local newsrooms. Our members’ work has value beyond words on paper and screen. These contracts are the result of their determination to stand up for their worth.”