Reuters journalists entering third year without contract

Thomson Reuters NewsGuild union members are entering their third year without a labor contract.

Reuters journalists and editors have been mobilizing and performing job actions to demand that management come to the table and agree to a contract that recognizes its award-winning staff.

The last contract was agreed upon in April 2011 and gave journalists a 1.5 percent guaranteed general wage increase for each year of the new three-year contract, as well as $7.6 million for lost pay.

“Reuters can’t have it both ways,” said Dan Grebler, Reuters unit chair. “On one hand, editor-in-chief Steve Adler publicly touts the exemplary work of his staff. On the other, Adler has failed to step up and ensure that the staff he praises has a fair contract that protects their financial well-being and rewards the continued accolades they bring to the Reuters brand.”

Last month, Guild members hand-delivered a letter with nearly 300 rank-and-file signatures to Adler asking he step in and ensure that his staff secures a contract that recognizes their contributions to Reuters’ reputation and bottom line.

“Reuters Guild members have gone without a contract for far too long. Enough is enough,” said NewsGuild President Grant Glickson. “We are tired of being met with a lack of transparency and information at the bargaining table. A fair contract, job protection for those who bring you readers, I don’t think it’s asking for much.”

As Washington D.C.-based journalist Kia Johnson said: “We show up every day for Reuters and make our managers and the company look good to clients and shareholders. It’s time they show up for us.”