Los Angeles Times Guild Mobilizes for a One-Day Strike to Counter Proposed Job Cuts
In an unprecedented move, the Los Angeles Times Guild has announced a one-day, multi-city walkout scheduled for Friday, Jan. 19. This historic action, the first of its kind in the Times’ long history, is a response to proposed substantial job cuts and changes to union contracts, which could undermine journalistic integrity in Southern California.
The planned walkout will take place in Los Angeles at Gloria Molina Grand Park, near L.A. City Hall, and in Washington, D.C., at 1100 Vermont Ave NW. Guild members in Sacramento and other locations are also set to join. The strike is a direct challenge to the Times management’s recent request for significant layoffs and alterations to seniority protections within the union contract.
Brian Contreras, chair of the Guild’s Unit Council, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed contract changes, emphasizing the necessity of preserving seniority protections for the stability and reliability of journalism jobs in Los Angeles. The Guild argues that the management’s approach not only threatens job security but also the diversity within the newsroom.
The Guild is advocating for less drastic cost-cutting measures and has put forward three key demands:
- A clear statement from management on the desired headcount or salary reduction, followed by an offer of enhanced buyouts, as outlined in their contract.
- Transparency on decision-making, calling for a town hall meeting with the new interim executive editors and President Chris Argentieri.
- Inclusion of multiple Guild representatives in the selection committee for the next executive editor.
Jon Schleuss, international president of The NewsGuild-CWA, emphasized the union’s commitment to safeguarding the future of the Los Angeles Times and its journalists. The Guild urges Dr. Soon-Shiong, the owner, and the Times management to explore alternatives to layoffs, citing the example of The Washington Post’s recent successful implementation of buyouts.
As the second-largest city in America, the role of the L.A. Times in maintaining a free press is pivotal. The Guild’s Black Caucus co-chairs, Erin B. Logan and Erika D. Smith, have condemned the management’s strategy as detrimental to the newspaper’s long-term success and the principle of a free press.
