A Labor Day message.
Dear Guild members:
From Philadelphia to Wilmington, Hazleton to Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre to Scranton, members of the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia have spent the last year courageously fighting for their rights as workers in journalism, law, health-care advocacy and academics, among other fields.
As you enter the Labor Day weekend, take a moment to reflect on and applaud that grit and determination.
At The Inquirer, that fight and unity translates into a raise for all Guild members that takes effect in early September to start the second year of a three-year contract that also includes another raise a year from now.
This past year has seen contracts reached that have improved the lives of Guild members at Delaware Online, Wilmington News Journal, Justice at Work and Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice.
This year the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia grew with the inclusion of Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice, the Hazleton Standard Speaker and the Scranton Times.
And work continues to secure first contracts for PA Spotlight and United Academics of Philadelphia. That is on top of contracts at all six of our Alden-owned papers coming due for renegotiation in 2025.
Stewarding all of this is our indefatigable executive director, Bill Ross, who deserves all of our best wishes this holiday dedicated to labor. He has been and will continue to be our fiercest advocate.
All of you are testament to a rallying call that is common at Guild conventions and has gained prominence in the presidential campaign of Kamala Harris: “When we fight, we win!”
Never forget that. And never forget that each and every one of you is worth fighting for.
Wishing you a safe, enjoyable and empowering Labor Day.
In solidarity,
Diane
