More than 120 journalists at 11 newsrooms under Southern California News Group (SCNG) now have a contract after over 93% of union membership voted to ratify its first contract with its owner Digital First Media.
“For the first time in many, many years our members will see much needed raises, particularly those who have struggled to get by on the lowest end of the pay scale,” guild chair and SCNG reporter Sean Emery said in the union’s press release Friday. “We have the power of our members to thank for this significant step forward.”
The new contract now ensures no less than a 6% raise over two years for all members. Guild member and SCNG reporter Charlie Vargas also told The Objective in September that salary remained the largest contract sticking point during negotiations. A 2022 compensation study from SCNG Guild found the majority of union members made salaries below $60,000.
Vargas added via email on Friday evening that the guild is working with the company now to get raises implemented “as soon as possible.”
The tentative agreement was decided on Oct. 30, with management narrowly averting a strike deadline of Nov. 4. It would’ve been the first open-ended strike launched at newsrooms owned by hedge fund Alden Global Capital, well-known for “gutting” publications.
Other contract provisions include the elimination of at-will employment in favor of new just-cause provisions, a procedure for layoffs in order of seniority, and guard rails around several issues ranging from artificial intelligence use to involuntary beat changes in reporter assignments.
Nov. 18, 3:05 pm.: This story was updated to clarify the owner of SCNG.
This story was edited by Gabe Schneider. Copy edits by Omar Rashad.
James Salanga is the co-director of The Objective and the podcast producer for The Sick Times.