![]() The bottom line: The deal is a welcome development for Free Press journalists in the short term, but Gannett's grim forecast casts a cloud of uncertainty over the newsroom heading into 2023. While raises had not been given across the board, certain individual workers received merit raises. Bhatia also disputed some of Axios' previous reporting on the negotiations and the absence of wage increases over the past four years.It's a good thing for Detroit," Free Press editor and vice president Peter Bhatia tells Axios. What they're saying: "It's a good thing for the Free Press. Wiping pending grievances filed before the deal's ratification.Five unpaid furlough days before the end of the year.The union pushed for raises, but the deal instead includes bonuses of $1,250 in each year of the contract.While the deal offers local journalists a thin layer of security, the prospect of future job cuts is still looming - Gannett announced more layoffs last week.ĭriving the news: Union members unanimously approved the contract Nov.Why it matters: Unionized workers for the Free Press have been working on a month-to-month labor deal since its last contract expired in 2019. 12 that Gannett would be laying off up to five reporters, four assistant editors, three website producers, one photographer and one editorial assistant.Detroit Free Press journalists recently ratified a new, two-year collective bargaining agreement as parent company Gannett navigates a dire economic outlook. Editor and Vice President Detroit Free Press Editor and Vice President for Audience Development Cincinnati Enquirer Edith Kinney Gaylord Visiting. The problem persisted despite the company’s efforts, which led to the downsizing. More from NextShark: COVID cases skyrocket in China following easing of zero-COVID policy Gannett reportedly rolled out measures to address the financial losses, including a sale-leaseback deal for the printing press site in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and a paywall for some Free Press stories in the summer of 2020. The company had gone through layoffs and cost-cutting at its other news properties following a series of quarterly losses, including one that ended on Sept. This staff reduction will cut into what the diversity and skills gains achieved during that time." “Of those 30, 27 are people of color or women. “ Since the beginning of 2020, we have made 30 hires," Bhatia wrote in a staff email. More from NextShark: LA County reports 76% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in the past year “ I do have other opportunities that will probably come to work out at some point," Bhatia told Detroit Free Press, “but if by getting my salary out of the budget it saves some jobs of people on the staff, I think that’s the right thing for the Free Press.”īhatia said that the company’s downsizing would set back the Free Press’ efforts to diversify its staff, which currently has a total of 110 people. With his resignation, Bhatia believed that Gannett, the company that owns USA Today, could use the money saved by his departure to spare some employees from upcoming planned layoffs at the Detroit Free Press in January 2023. Detroit Free Press Vice President and editor Peter Bhatia has announced that he will resign from his position to save other employees from losing their jobs amid impending layoffs.īhatia, 69, announced his decision in a virtual staff gathering on Friday.
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