LA Times Guild to hold walkout protesting layoffs, unfair labor practices

The Los Angeles Times Guild announced They plan to go on strike on Friday to protest the layoffs and unfair labor practices.

“Los Angeles Times management has announced that it intends to lay off a significant number of journalists and has urged the union to remove seniority protections in union contracts and give them more freedom in choosing who to fire. ,” the guild said in a release. “This will seriously impair our ability to provide the responsible journalism that is so important to Southern California.”

The guild called on Times executives to give the next editor more say, “clearly articulate targeted headcount and salary reductions,” and provide seniority protections. He said he is asking that it not be removed. Other action items.

“The contract changes that management is trying to pressure us to accept are obscene and unsustainable,” Brian Contreras, chairman of the guild's unit council, said in a statement. He added that the changes are necessary to ensure reporters have reliable, stable jobs in the Los Angeles area.

“And if management believes the company's financial position is unsustainable, they should come to the negotiating table in good faith and plan an acquisition that first includes clear employee numbers and targeted cost reductions. “We achieved this number with as many acquisitions as possible and as few layoffs as possible,” Contreras continued.

The L.A. Times Guild walkout follows a recent walkout by Washington Post reporters last month over issues including pay equity, raises, remote work policies, and mental health resources.

“We demand that the Post return to the bargaining table and continue negotiations until we reach a truly fair agreement,” said Sara Kaplan, chief steward and bargaining committee member for the Washington Post Newspaper Guild. said in an emailed statement to The Hill. .