The Lawrence Journal-World Guild issued a statement expressing concern about the state of ongoing contract negotiations with the management of Ogden, the newspaper chain that owns Lawrence Journal-World.
In the statement, a union representative Melissa Stiehler said Ogden acted as an obstacle to the union’s priorities. Stiehler said local Lawrence Journal-World management appears interested in negotiating with the union to improve workplace conditions and address concerns among the workforce.
“While local management – especially editor Chad Lawhorn – seem genuinely interested in promoting a positive workplace culture and addressing the concerns of its employees, the corporate interests of Ogden and its billionaire owner Bob Nutting seem to be stalling.” on the way to a contract that guarantees fair and liveable wages and shared values of dignity and fairness, ”said Stiehler. “The two sides have been meeting regularly since February, but little progress has been made.”
Stiehler said the newspaper’s journalists were understaffed as five vacancies in 2020 are currently vacant, underpaid and without benefits.
“Sometimes they cannot afford themselves and their families,” says Stiehler. “They have no guarantee of advance notice or severance pay if they are laid off. They currently have little official protection against retaliation if there is a disagreement with their editors. “
Stiehler spoke about two specific areas where union and management are at odds: the conditions for layoffs and the diversity of attitudes. Ogden argues that the maximum guaranteed notice period shouldn’t be more than two days, Stiehler said.
The union proposed a policy to increase the diversity of Journal-World’s applicant pool. In response, Michael Zinser, the lawyer who represented Ogden in the negotiations, said this required, according to Stiehler, that Journal-World be discriminated against in favor of minority candidates.
“Chad Lawhorn has shown many times that he focuses on a diverse workforce and knows the importance of including many perspectives in the newsroom,” said Stiehler. “Owning the newspaper outside of town seems to think it’s a waste of time.”
The union encourages parishioners to sign a public letter in solidarity with the union and Journal-World journalists.
“I am confident that these Ogden management tactics do not represent our community, nor the workers or local management of the Lawrence Journal-World,” said Stiehler. “As lawyers, we need to stay strong in our values and remind Ogden of them by supporting the newspaper and its staff.”
Late last year, Lawrence Journal-World journalists unionized to campaign for fair wages and contributions to decisions that affect local news coverage.
The Kansan reached out to Michael Zinser, the lawyer who represents Ogden in negotiations with the union, but did not hear in time for the publication.
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