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The Springfield News Guild’s ranks comprise the bulk of the News-Leader’s editorial staff.
Photo provided by Springfield News Guild
The Springfield News Guild’s ranks comprise the bulk of the News-Leader’s editorial staff.

News-Leader employees vote to establish union

Posted online

The bulk of the Springfield News-Leader’s editorial staff voted unanimously on Friday to unionize.

The 13-0 vote establishes the Springfield News Guild, following the announcement of the plans early last month, according to a news release.

Springfield News Guild’s ranks do not include the News-Leader’s local leadership team of Editor Amos Bridges, Content Coach Stephen Herzog and Digital Planning Editor Matt Peterson. Additionally, Judson Green, who works in production, according to the News-Leader’s website, is not part of the union.

Springfield News Guild’s members, in alphabetical order, are:
• Gregory Holman, investigative reporter;
• Austin Huguelet, Missouri politics reporter;
• Andrew Jansen, photographer;
• Laura Johnson, copy editor;
• Wes Johnson, outdoors reporter;
• Sara Karnes, breaking news reporter;
• Harrison Keegan, public safety reporter;
• Katie Kull, local government reporter;
• Nathan Papes, photographer;
• Steve Pokin, community columnist;
• Jackie Rehwald, social causes reporter;
• Claudette Riley, education reporter; and
• Wyatt Wheeler, sports reporter.

“This was a big step for us – and a much-needed step,” Pokin said in the release. “Now, we look forward to finally having a voice at the table on how we are treated by our corporate owners and advocating for the resources the News-Leader needs to fulfill its mission of covering local news.”

Since announcing the plans to unionize on Jan. 6, Springfield News Guild officials say local and corporate supervisors have been “open and respectful.” The union plans to begin negotiating a contract in the coming weeks, according to the release.

The unionization efforts began following the recently finalized $1.1 billion takeover of Gannett Co. Inc. by GateHouse Media Inc. Gannett, which is the surviving company name through the merger deal, owns the News-Leader, USA Today and around 260 other daily papers. Corporate officials have identified some $300 million in annual cost reductions, The Associated Press previously reported.

The Springfield News Guild is working with St. Louis-based United Media Guild, which is part of the Washington, D.C.-based NewsGuild, Springfield Business Journal previously reported. NewsGuild also is a sector of Communications Workers of America.

Comments

3 comments on this story |
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dscott3266

Does the new Springfield flag logo not have a trademark? It is odd to see it usurped as a union logo.

Monday, February 3, 2020
jphillips@lu663.com

As a 33-year veteran of the broadcast news business who was among 37 people who lost their jobs in 2017 due to corporate machinations, I congratulate the members of the Springfield News Guild and welcome them to the organized labor family. I wish them much success in defending the future of the news in Springfield.

Monday, February 3, 2020
user29865

Good luck with it! We need strong local journalism.

Monday, February 3, 2020
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