Name: Record number of journalists unionize during COVID pandemic
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Record number of journalists unionize during COVID pandemic

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The COVID-19 crisis has triggered a massive uptick in news media unionization efforts, union leaders tell Axios.Why it matters: The trend is only going to grow bigger once people head back to work in-person, says Jon Schleuss, president of the NewsGuild. More consolidation in the industry via SPACs and local news takeovers will also drive record unionization efforts. Three key trends have pushed journalists to unionize over the past year, union executives tell Axios.Financial uncertainty: Journalists rushed to unionize early on in the pandemic following rounds of layoffs that were triggered by ad-industry headwinds. "Whenever there is concern about economic security, that is one of the factors leads people to unionize," says Peterson.SPACS and consolidation: Later in 2020, media companies began eyeing SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) deals that would allow outlets to go public and merge with other companies. Concerns about consolidation and new leadership have pushed more journalists to seek union protection.Social justice: A rise in political protests, and movements around racial justice, over the past year, have pushed journalists to seek further safety protections from unions, as well as better representation around diversity and inclusion. By the numbers: In 2020, more than 1,800 journalists across unions from the NewsGuild and the Writers Guild (of America) unionized, according to data from the leaders of both groups. That's up from roughly 1,500 the year prior. Driving the news: Insider became the to organize when its U.S. editorial staff said it was forming a union with the NewsGuild of New York on Monday. What to watch: In the past few years, more local newsrooms have pushed to unionize in response to hedge fund and private equity takeover threats.Tribune Publishing newspapers, whose fate hangs in the balance of billionaires trying to upend a hedge fund takeover, are using unionization to try to protect journalists from the inevitable cuts. The bottom line: Peterson says news media unionization efforts have increased steadily over the past few years, but "it's been more intense during the pandemic."A complaint by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) alleges that Amazon illegally interfered in the union election at its Bessemer, Alabama warehouse, reports. The big picture: The RWDSU alleged in its complaint to the National Labor Relations Board that Amazon threatened layoffs, loss of pay or benefits, or a facility closure if workers voted in favor of the effort which flopped earlier this month.Gov. Tim Walz (D) spoke out Sunday over allegations that journalists covering suburb of Brooklyn Center have endured police violence, telling : "Apologies are not enough, it just cannot happen."Why it matters: Since violations of came to last year, with reports of journalists being arrested and assaulted while covering anti-racism protests, violent encounters with law enforcement seem to have .Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was shown kneeling on George Floyd's neck last year in a video that shook the nation, was of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday. Yes, but: Eight years after the launch of the Black Lives Matter movement, it's still rare for police officers to face legal consequences or jail time over the deaths of Black people.

The COVID-19 crisis has triggered a massive uptick in news media unionization efforts, union leaders tell Axios.Why it matters: The trend is only going to grow bigger once people head back to work in-person, says Jon Schleuss, president of the NewsGuild. More consolidation in the industry via SPACs and local news takeovers will also drive record unionization efforts. Three key trends have pushed journalists to unionize over the past year, union executives tell Axios.Financial uncertainty: Journalists rushed to unionize early on in the pandemic following rounds of layoffs that were triggered...

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Sara Fischer

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Record number of journalists unionize during COVID pandemic

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