News Summary
The L.A. Times Guild has voted overwhelmingly to authorize a potential strike as contract negotiations drag on for over three years. With 85% support from participating members, the Guild represents over 200 journalists who are frustrated with stalled discussions. Key issues include raises that account for inflation, job protection, and concerns over outsourcing. While no strike date has been set, the union prepares to return to bargaining sessions, emphasizing the need for better working conditions and job security in a challenging media landscape.
Los Angeles — Journalists at the L.A. Times have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a potential strike amid ongoing contract negotiations that have extended for over three years. Approximately 85% of participating members of the L.A. Times Guild endorsed the move, with participation from 98% of the union’s members. This significant vote empowers the union to call for a strike if deemed necessary.
The L.A. Times Guild represents over 200 journalists, including reporters, editors, photographers, and designers. With contract negotiations dragging on far beyond the typical timeline, members expressed their frustrations, and the chair of the Guild indicated that members are “fed up” with the prolonged discussions. Journalists in the newsroom are seeking raises that reflect current inflation rates, protections against layoffs, and measures aimed at preventing outsourcing of their work.
While the results of the vote demonstrate strong support for a strike authorization, no strike date has been set, and such a move is not guaranteed. Prior to the vote, it was indicated that roughly 80% of the unit would likely support a strike authorization. The Guild aims to preserve existing protections against layoffs, enhance contract guardrails, and minimize work done by freelancers and non-union labor.
The current instability within the newsroom is highlighted by a significant reduction in the bargaining unit, which has decreased from approximately 450 members to just over 200 over the past three years due to rounds of layoffs and buyouts. These changes have coincided with financial difficulties for the L.A. Times, stemming from declining subscription and advertising revenues, putting additional pressure on staff and resources.
The L.A. Times Guild was formed in 2018, and its first labor contract was negotiated in 2019 after the paper was purchased by Patrick Soon-Shiong. Since then, leadership has changed, including the early 2024 departure of top editor Kevin Merida, raising concerns among staff about direction and stability. Recently, the Guild has taken further action, filing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging intimidation tactics employed by management against union members. The NLRB has ruled the accusations have merit, with a hearing scheduled for 2026.
Part of the union’s concerns includes recent controversies surrounding the implementation of an AI-powered “bias meter,” which has drawn criticism and raised questions about the management’s priorities. As the L.A. Times faces increasing competition from new media ventures in the Los Angeles market, retaining journalistic staff and preserving brand integrity has become increasingly challenging.
The average weekly print circulation for the L.A. Times stands at around 100,000, supplemented by approximately 243,000 direct paid digital subscriptions. The ongoing struggles related to employee morale, diminishing resources, and management proposals have prompted union leaders, including the Guild’s co-chair, to emphasize the importance of fighting for their livelihoods amid fears of devaluing the brand.
As tensions mount, the Guild plans to return to bargaining sessions on October 14. This strike authorization vote marks the first of its kind for the L.A. Times Guild, reflecting a significant shift in labor dynamics within the newsroom and a critical point in labor relations for the publication.
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Additional Resources
- Hollywood Reporter: L.A. Times Journalists Authorize Strike
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles Times
- Deadline: L.A. Times Guild Authorizes Strike
- Google Search: Los Angeles Times Union Strike
- LAist: L.A. Times Union Authorizes First Strike
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Journalism
- Reuters: L.A. Times Journalists Vote to Authorize Strike
- Google News: Los Angeles Times Guild
- LAist: L.A. Times Union Votes for First Strike
- Google Scholar: Los Angeles Times Labor Relations
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