Rochester D&C Reporter: Why I’m On Strike
By Emily Barnes, Newspaper Guild of Rochester
It’s taken me a few days to figure out what I wanted to say about being on strike because of Gannett’s bad faith bargaining and unfair labor practices but today feels like the perfect day to speak up.
I love my job. I love being a journalist. I love getting to know members of the Rochester community and sharing their stories.
But I’m also angry. I’m angry that it had to get to this point. I’m angry that instead of coming to the table with meaningful proposals, Gannett has continued to stonewall negotiations, leaving us no choice but to strike.
I’m not doing this just for me. I’m doing it for my colleagues, who are some of the strongest, most amazing people I’ve ever met. And I’m doing it for the future journalists.
Get it together, Gannett. Our community needs us and we deserve better.
And to recap, we’re fighting for a fair contract that:
Fixes pay inequities among our staff
Offers protections around AI, layoffs and health care increases
While we’re on strike:
DO NOT click on D&C links
DO NOT grant interviews to editors or scab journalists brought in to replace us.
And if you’re able, consider donating to our strike fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-unionized-gannet-workers-fighting-back