Albany Newspaper Guild

@albanyguild.bsky.social

729 Followers 65 Following

We represent the employees of the Albany Times Union and are dedicated to getting our members a fair contract… https://albanyguild.org

Image of protesters outside the Times Union building. They are holding signs that say "17 years is too long" and "Times Anti-Union"
Graphic reading "United As One! We are walking out with our fellow Hearst unions"
Polaroid-style images on a pink, sparkly background labeled "Pride" and "Trans Pride" showing the Albany Newspaper Guild logo with a rainbow filter over one and a blue, white and pink filter over the other
Dear Mr. Swartz: As a subscriber, and on behalf of the 2.5 million members and 3,000 local unions of the New York State AFL-CIO, I write to express the union movement’s solidarity with the members of The Albany News Guild, Local 31034, TNG-CWA, as they bargain with the Times Union for a fair contract. As you know, here in New York, our strong union movement is a testament to the power and leverage of workers who stand together. With thousands of unions representing millions of workers across the public sector, private sector and building trades, the percentage of union membership in our state is nearly double the national average. Pursuant to State Labor Law, it is the policy of our state to encourage collective bargaining, the right to which is also enshrined in the New York State Constitution. The labor of journalists and all media workers at the Times Union fills a critical role in the Capital Region. Tens of thousands of people, including many union members and leaders, rely on the Times Union every day for accurate, informative, and timely news that impacts their daily lives. Journalists and media workers at the Times Union have gone without a contract for more than 17 years; yet they still provide this high quality, trustworthy reporting to the region under such difficult circumstances. The union movement aims to ensure that all workers are paid good, family-sustaining wages and treated fairly and equitably. I implore you to negotiate a contract that ensures the people who we rely upon to inform us about the State government and Capital Region are paid and treated fairly. Furthermore, concerns have been voiced pertaining to attempts to break up the bargaining unit. These concerns are only strengthened by recent reports of discipline among
Publisher George Hearst Times Union P.O. Box 15000 Albany, New York 12212 Dear Mr. Hearst, COUNTY OF ALBANY OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE 112 STATE STREET ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207-2021 (518) 447-7040 - FAX (518) 447-5589 WWW.ALBANYCOUNTYNY.GOV June 12, 2026 MICHAEL P. MCLAUGHLIN, JR. DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE The undersigned write to you regarding the four years of ongoing contract negotiations between The Albany News Guild, Local 31034, TNG-CWA, and the Times Union. As you know, it is the policy of county and city governments to encourage collective bargaining, which is the right of workers under our state Constitution and our state Labor Laws. The work of journalists and all media workers at the Times Union fill a critical role in the Capital Region. Tens of thousands of people rely on the Times Union for their news. Considering this, allowing journalists and media workers at the Times Union to go without a contract for 17 years, while they are still providing essential reporting to the region is unconscionable. As local elected officials, we aim to ensure that all workers are paid fair and livable wages and treated fairly and equitably. Any tentative agreements should be considered as contract negotiations proceed. Furthermore, attempts to break up the bargaining unit should cease. It should be known that any attempts to union bust will not be tolerated. Our state Constitution protects workers right to organize. Times Union readers are counting on you to come to a fair and speedy resolution on this contract. We respectfully encourage you to bargain in good faith and come to an agreement on a fair deal as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, Daniel P. McCoy Albany County Executive
Image of a bulletin board with a label that says “The Newspaper Guild-CWA of Albany Bulletin Board” and “Check here often for updates on your union activities” with the Newspaper Guild logo. Below it is a poster that says “Know Your Rights” and “It’s illegal to punish workers when they complain, petition, picket, walk out over working conditions” surrounded by images of an Albany Newspaper Guild picket. A red arrow says “Don’t take our word for it! Read it from the National Labor Relations Board.” It points to a QR code that says “Scan Me!” An image of New York Governor Kathy Hochul is captioned “Gov. Hochul came to our picket and told George Hearst that 17 years without a contract is too long.” A red Albany Newspaper Guild pin that says “Contract Now!!” is pinned to the board.
A petition with an Albany Newspaper Guild logo that says the following: We, the undersigned, demand that Times Union management allow Guild-represented employees the choice to work from home during the asbestos remediation. We also ask the company share with the Guild the results of all air monitoring tests. This would help alleviate the overall fears associated with this remediation. If the removal company follows all protocols, it appears the air will remain safe. However, we've written many stories about professionals in their fields paying hefty insurance settlements after a catastrophic error. We are not willing to accept management's stance that this particular removal company will never make one mistake. Allowing Guild members who feel uncomfortable and threatened during the remediation to work from home would go a long way in restoring strained trust.
A serious of three orange-and-cream-colored coupons with the word "Discount" and barcodes on them. They are designed so the initial number or amount looks like the amount off on a coupon. The first says "3% is how much Hearst’s year-to-year revenues increased in 2025. But they will not commit to contractual raises for their workers." The second says "$13.5 billion is how much Hearst made last year in 2025. Yes, billion with a B. But they say they can’t guarantee raises." The third says "$320K is the annual tax credit Hearst earns in NY after the Guild helped pass the Journalism Sustainability Act."
The Albany Newspaper Guild logo on a white background with a red border. Below in red it says "We are calling for fair negotiations now!"