Journal Times reporters announce intent to form a union, lay-offs of 4 journalists follow
RACINE, WI — Journalists at the Journal Times announced last week their intention to form a union under the Racine NewsGuild.
Just two days ago, a source revealed to Racine County Eye that at least four journalists – one of whom is quoted in the Racine NewsGuild announcement – lost their jobs.
Over the past year, Lee Enterprises has laid off numerous employees across its 77 daily newspapers, including those in St. Louis, Buffalo, and Richmond, Virginia .
These moves leave journalists like Ryan Patterson, a reporter at the Journal Times, concerned for the future of quality journalism in Racine County.
"We are fighting for a fair, dignified workplace that protects and respects the people who make the newspaper," said Patterson in the announcement. "Unionizing can help reporters create impactful journalism in Racine County."
Union representation growingThe Racine NewsGuild's formation is just one of many in a growing movement of journalists seeking collective bargaining power to address industry challenges.
A Pew Research Center survey in 2022 indicated that about 26% of U.S. journalists who are employed by a news organization full-time or part-time say their organization has a union.
Sean Krajacic is president of the Kenosha Newspaper Guild, which represents employees at the Journal Times' sister paper, the Kenosha News, also owned by Lee Enterprises. He expressed his support for the Racine journalists' decision.
"It is long overdue for journalists in Racine to have a union representing their best interests," Krajacic told Racine County Eye in a phone interview.
Newsrooms decliningThe decline of local newsrooms is a national concern, with independent news sites struggling to fill the void left by shrinking newspapers.
According to a separate 2022 report by the Pew Research Center , the number of newsroom employees at U.S. newspapers decreased by 51% between 2008 and 2020.
This decline has had a significant impact on communities, as local news coverage plays a crucial role in informing citizens and holding those in power accountable.
In the wake of corporate cutbacks, independent news sites have emerged as a source of hyperlocal information. The challenges, though, for these sites come in the form of funding and sustainability, highlighting the need for diverse revenue streams and community support to help ensure they continue operating.
While the exact number of layoffs at Lee Enterprises in the last year is not publicly available, the company's recent downsizing efforts have affected newsrooms across the country.
Scott Williams was recently laid-off reporter from The Journal Times. On his Facebook page , he shared his feelings about losing his job.
"Well, friends, another newspaper is breaking my heart. I was laid off yesterday after four years at the Racine Journal Times, in an economic reduction-in-force by parent company Lee Enterprises," he wrote, adding this recently lay-off comes on the heels of similar moves from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in 2009 and the Green Bay Press-Gazette in 2015.
Williams was also part of the group working to unionize the Journal Times newsroom, and he noted that as well.
"This layoff comes just two days after my co-workers and I announced plans to form a union at the Journal Times in hopes of preventing this very same sort of reckless corporate-profit bloodlust," he added in his post.
Racine County Eye has reached out to Williams and the Journal Times for comment. We will update this story when/if we hear from them.
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