Reporters in union negotiations for wage increases

Unionized journalists at Detroit's two major newspapers have been unable to reach an agreement with management on wages and other matters.

Why it matters: Local journalism is essential, especially as misinformation is increasingly rampant.

• Negotiations involving the Newspaper Guild of Detroit – which includes workers at the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and the Observer & Eccentric papers – comes amid a wave of unionization among reporters nationally.

State of play: Guild members have been working under a month-to-month renewal since their contract expired in 2019. The pandemic is partly to blame for the delayed contract talks.

• On the other side of the bargaining table are owners Gannett and MediaNews Group.

Details: During protracted contract negotiations, the Guild proposed across-the-board wage increases of 3% in the first year of a three-year contract, 2.75% the second year and 2.5% the third year. Health care and pensions are also on the table.

• Company representatives instead proposed a $750 signing bonus upon contract ratification, with possibly a second $750 bonus one year later, according to the Guild.

Editor's note: Joe Guillen is a former Free Press reporter.