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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Hearst refuses to negotiate on guaranteed pay raises and wants to cut other benefits, but they have the money to spend over $1 billion in an all-cash deal for the rest of A&E deadline.com/2026/07/disney-ae-global-media-stake-sale-hearst-1237013578

deadline.com

Disney Selling A+E Global Media Stake To Hearst For Over $1 Billion

Disney is shedding a linear asset, selling its 50% stake in A+E Global Media. The deal, believed to worth north of a $1 billion and all-cash.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Times Union publisher George Hearst has promised there will be no pay cuts in our contract. His bargaining team and their contract proposals tell a different story

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Voting to approve or reject the memorandum of agreement on vacation will take place today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The MOA can be read here: albanyguild.org/blog/2026/08/01/vote-on-aug-4-on-moa-on-vacation

albanyguild.org

Vote on Aug. 4 on MOA on vacation – Albany Newspaper Guild

Serving the employees of the Times Union in Albany, New York since 1934.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We turned the heat up on Hearst and wished King George a happy early Independence Day 🔥 Thank you to our fellow labor unions who joined us and everyone who showed support (including those truck drivers and EMTs) and shout-out to our fellow Hearst unions! We're just getting started ✊🗞️

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Come see us here in Albany as we picket outside the Times Union! From 12 to 1 p.m. today we will join the Connecticut News Guild, Dallas News Guild and Austin News Guild — who, like us, are all currently fighting for a fair contract with Hearst Together, we are walking out and standing together

Graphic reading "United As One! We are walking out with our fellow Hearst unions"

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

We are encouraging members to change their Slack photos to our Albany Newspaper Guild logo while we bargain for a fair contract. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun with it

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Reposted by Albany Newspaper Guild

Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Celebrating Juneteenth! Today we honor Black joy and liberation, and continue our commitment to uplifting Black voices.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Thank you to Daniel McCoy - Albany County Executive and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who’ve joined a growing number of state and local politicians urging Hearst’s corporate leaders to move forward and bargain fairly

Publisher George Hearst
Times Union
P.O. Box 15000
Albany, New York 12212
Dear Mr. Hearst,
COUNTY OF ALBANY
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE
112 STATE STREET
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207-2021
(518) 447-7040 - FAX (518) 447-5589
WWW.ALBANYCOUNTYNY.GOV
June 12, 2026
MICHAEL P. MCLAUGHLIN, JR.
DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
The undersigned write to you regarding the four years of ongoing contract negotiations between
The Albany News Guild, Local 31034, TNG-CWA, and the Times Union.
As you know, it is the policy of county and city governments to encourage collective bargaining,
which is the right of workers under our state Constitution and our state Labor Laws.
The work of journalists and all media workers at the Times Union fill a critical role in the Capital
Region. Tens of thousands of people rely on the Times Union for their news. Considering this,
allowing journalists and media workers at the Times Union to go without a contract for 17 years,
while they are still providing essential reporting to the region is unconscionable.
As local elected officials, we aim to ensure that all workers are paid fair and livable wages and
treated fairly and equitably. Any tentative agreements should be considered as contract
negotiations proceed. Furthermore, attempts to break up the bargaining unit should cease. It
should be known that any attempts to union bust will not be tolerated. Our state Constitution
protects workers right to organize.
Times Union readers are counting on you to come to a fair and speedy resolution on this
contract. We respectfully encourage you to bargain in good faith and come to an agreement on a
fair deal as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Daniel P. McCoy
Albany County Executive

Dear Mr. Swartz:
I am writing today about the ongoing contract negotiations among the Albany
NewspaperGuild, Local 31034; the NewsGuild-CWA; and the Times Union. As you know, workers ’rights in New York are guaranteed and protected by our state labor laws.
The Times Union’s journalists and other media workers play a critical role in
keeping thousands of residents in the Capital District informed
with timely, accurate reporting that matters to people’s daily lives. Working tirelessly for
more than 17 years without a collective-bargaining contract, these dedicated workers
have continued to be a vital resource of informative news reporting for the region.
All New Yorkers have the right to fair and livable wages. In addition, the New York State
Constitution guarantees New Yorkers the right to organize. I am aware that there have been
attempts to break up the bargaining unit. | am writing to inform yout hat I will not
tolerate any unlawful attempts to break up the union.
I urge you to work toward a speedy resolution to these contract negotiations, which offer fair
and equitably wagesforall affected workers. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
LETITIA JAMES

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Final reminder to join us Saturday evening to protest! 🪧✊

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Reposted by Albany Newspaper Guild

Connecticut News Guild @ctnewsguild.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

If it seems to you like there are fewer journalists covering Connecticut, you’re right. This week, those ranks grew thinner: Hearst CT unjustly fired a highly experienced reporter who was respected by his peers, sources and readers.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Final reminder to join us Saturday evening to protest! 🪧✊

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

The picket is this Saturday! Sign ideas include: Justice for Justin (our chief steward who was fired) No temporary workers We need guaranteed maternity leave Honor our agreements If you fire us, we should be able to challenge you Don’t let AI replace us We need a raise

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Reposted by Albany Newspaper Guild

The NewsGuild-CWA @newsguild.org · 11/06/2026

“If we want to control what happens to our byline, that’s the company telling us that we need to form a union. So, hey, let’s do it.” And they did. www.niemanlab.org/2026/06/the-...

niemanlab.org

The Centre Daily Times unionizes after backlash to McClatchy’s AI tool

The local Pennsylvania outlet is the first newsroom under The NewsGuild-CWA to unionize in response to AI adoption.

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Reposted by Albany Newspaper Guild

Connecticut News Guild @ctnewsguild.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

We had our first bargaining session on Zoom on June 1, with the support of dozens of unionized Hearst Newspapers colleagues from the @albanyguild.bsky.social the Austin News Guild, @dallasnewsguild.bsky.social and the S.F. Chronicle Guild. Here's (some of) what the bargaining committee said:

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Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

The NY FAIR News Act has passed the State Senate and Assembly and is now on its way to the desk of Governor Hochul. Thank you to our amazing sponsors and champions, and to everyone who raised their voices in support of this important legislation to protect journalists and the public from AI!

WGAE Statement on New York Legislature Passing Bill Mandating Disclaimers on Al-Generated News
We are thrilled to announce that the New York State legislature passed the NY FAIR News Act (New York Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Requirements in News Act), S.8451-B / A.8962-B, first-in-the-nation legislation that mandates that news organizations include disclaimers when they publish content substantially or wholly created by artificial intelligence. The NY FAIR News Act will now be sent to Governor Hochul in order to be signed into law.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors and champions, Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember Nily Rozic. Thank you to our sibling unions and allies: the NYS AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America, NewsGuild of New York, The NewsGuild-CWA, CWA District 1, Freelancers Union, and the Writers Guild of America West. Thank you to every Guild member who raised their pens or their voices in support of this important legislation.
The NY FAIR News Act protects journalism, our members, and our democracy by ensuring the public knows whether the news they read, watch, or listen to is produced by a human or by a computer program. While New York is the first state to recognize that Al cannot do the work of journalists and other news professionals, it will not be the last.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

It's always a good time to remind EVERYONE what their rights are as workers Whether you have a union or not, you have a legal right to walk out in protest of unfair labor practices or for economic concessions like higher wages Read more here: nlrb.gov/strikes

nlrb.gov

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Connecticut News Guild @ctnewsguild.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Want to support Hearst CT journalists in our negotiations for a fair contract? Post messages of solidarity on Monday and repost our updates here, on Instagram and X (@ctnewsguild). The more people who know about our fight to make CT a better place for journalists, the better!

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

We're only a few weeks away from our picket against Hearst on June 13 🪧

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Check us and our union siblings at the Austin News Guild and Dallas News Guild in Publishing Insider about our unfair labor practice charges against Hearst

mediapost.com

Hearst Haggling: Workers At 3 Newspapers Allege Unfair Labor Tactics

The NewsGuild accuses Hearst of bargaining in bad faith.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Thanks to your support, our strike fund is now over 60% to our goal! This is huge. This fund will help cover at least part of the pay members will forgo during the walkout. Donate here: 🔗 bit.ly/TUWalkoutFund 🔗

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

ICYMI, Guild Secretary Kathleen Moore spoke with retired Post Star editor Will Doolittle about our fight for a fair contract. Check it out here: 🔗https://kentingley.substack.com/p/neighbors-defended-child-as-school🔗

kentingley.substack.com

In Queensbury, neighbors defended a child

Getting no respect, newshounds eye walkout

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Reposted by Albany Newspaper Guild

ID & WA News Guilds @idwanewsguilds.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

We have overwhelmingly voted to go on STRIKE as we fight for a fair contract with McClatchy Media and its five Pacific Northwest newspapers. Our demands are simple: Protections against AI and wages that keep up with inflation.

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PEOPLE United (We/They/Us/Union) @peopleunite.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Money spent directly on union busting, is wages stolen from workers: "...employers spent about $1.7 billion on union avoidance specialists and union-busting attorneys in 2024." "The True Cost Could Be Tens to Hundreds of Billions a Year" jacobin.com/2026/05/unio... #UnionBusting #Solidarity

jacobin.com

The Real Cost of Union Busting Is Much Higher Than You Think

A new study reveals that employers are spending big to maintain their dictatorial control over the workplace and crush unions. It’s a daunting amount of money, but it’s not impossible to overcome if w...

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The NewsGuild-CWA @newsguild.org · 21/05/2026

BIG: Three Hearst newsrooms have filed charges against the company for violating federal law. "Hearst needs to end its unlawful tactics, including regressive bargaining and disciplining members for doing Guild business, and come to the table and negotiate in good faith," @albanyguild.bsky.social

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Workers at 3 Hearst-owned newspapers represented by The NewsGuild-CWA — including the Times Union — have filed unfair labor practice charges against Hearst with the NLRB this week, accusing the company of violating federal labor law and retaliating against workers for union activity.

albanyguild.org

We filed federal labor charges against company

Media workers at three Hearst-owned newspapers represented by The NewsGuild-CWA have filed unfair labor practice charges against Hearst with the National Labor Relations Board this week, accusing the…

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

We said we would have more news soon, and here it is For 17 years our members have been breaking news, taking photos and making ads without a contract. For 17 years Hearst has refused to negotiate with us So we are preparing to walk out. It is clear the Times Union/Hearst won’t budge otherwise

bit.ly

Donate to Support Times Union Workers During Walkout, organized by Kathleen Moore

We are the Times Union. We bring you all the news, we make the ads, we take … Kathleen Moore needs your support for Support Times Union Workers During Walkout

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

The good news: After nearly four years of negotiations, the company finally offered us a comprehensive contract proposal The bad news: It is woefully inadequate 1/6

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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Happy May Day! On May 1st, and everyday, we celebrate worker power and honor those who came before us and fought for workers' rights. Today, we keep up that fight.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Guild President Wendy Liberatore spoke with the NYS AFL-CIO's Darcy Wells on the Union Strong podcast and broke down the history of our negotiations, Hearst's union-busting and just what is at stake for us and for local news. Give it a watch or a listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVqO...

youtube.com

Union Strong Podcast: Breaking Their Silence After 17 Years

YouTube video by New York State AFL-CIO

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Despite management's in-office work requirements, some of our most essential work happens in the field, whether that's in news or sales

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Join us at our picket this June! We have gone 17 years without a contract. We can no longer wait. #UnionStrong ✊🪧

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Reposted by Albany Newspaper Guild

ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 08/04/2026

We’re on strike today! Support our fight for a fair contract by NOT visiting the @propublica.org website or engaging with ProPublica stories today. Tell ProPublica’s management you won’t cross the picket line: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

We're on strike! Don't visit propublica.org on April 8

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

In the last few days, three Guild leaders were unfairly disciplined by management. One member was fired in what we see as an unwarranted, retaliatory action (1/5)

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

On Thursday, we presented Times Union publisher George Hearst with a petition signed by Albany Newspaper Guild members requesting staff be allowed to work from home during asbestos remediation in our building, as well as provide the Guild with results of all air monitoring (1/3)

Albany Newspaper Guild President Wendy Liberatore and Secretary Kathleen Moore wearing red Guild shirts and holding petitions. The signatures are censored.

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Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

The CBS News 24/7 Union thanks the public, elected officials and labor allies for the outpouring of support during our 24-hour walkout. ✊

Post-Walkout Update: This morning, at 6:00am ET, WGA East members at CBS News 24/7 returned to work following a 24-hour walkout that came about after management let the 60-member bargaining unit’s contract expire without reaching a new deal. The Union is in communication with CBS News management and awaits a response that fully addresses the issues still on the table.

The CBS News 24/7 Union thanks the public, elected officials and labor allies for the outpouring of support.

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Hearst has continued to reject our proposal for contractual wage increases for all (1/3)

A serious of three orange-and-cream-colored coupons with the word "Discount" and barcodes on them. They are designed so the initial number or amount looks like the amount off on a coupon. The first says "3% is how much Hearst’s year-to-year revenues increased in 2025. But they will not commit to contractual raises for their workers." The second says "$13.5 billion is how much Hearst made last year in 2025. Yes, billion with a B. But they say they can’t guarantee raises." The third says "$320K is the annual tax credit Hearst earns in NY after the Guild helped pass the Journalism Sustainability Act."

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Jon Schleuss @jschleuss.com · 05/03/2026

The NewsGuild has been around for 93 years and this is the first time journalists have won a contract in the state of Alaska!

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

We had yet another frustrating bargaining session Thursday. The company declined to discuss any topics without seeing a comprehensive proposal from us. Except we did provide a proposal in November, one detailing many tentative agreements as well as sections that still need work (1/4)

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Writers Guild of America East @wgaeast.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Our current Hearst Union contract expired 1/31, and after more than a month of bargaining and a strike pledge signed by 85% of our bargaining unit, we’re still fighting for basic respect & fair compensation. Send a letter to help us demand a fair contract now: actionnetwork.org/letters/fair...!

actionnetwork.org

Fair contract for union members at Hearst

WGA East members at Hearst Magazines are bargaining for a fair union contract, and they need your support. Our contract proposals are reasonable, fair, and necessary for Hearst to be a sustainable…

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Reposted by Albany Newspaper Guild

The NewsGuild of New York @nyguild.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

We are proud to be among a coalition of unions backing the NY FAIR News Act. Readers and journalists need real protections against artificial intelligence! Read more about this bill here nyguild.org/post/fahy-ro...

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

First off, many thank you’s are in order Thank you to all our members who braved the cold in solidarity. Thank you to the Capital District Area Labor Federation for joining us on the picket line. Thank you to Gov. Hochul for showing her support (1/3)

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

We are picketing! 🪧 Now more than ever we need local news, and to do that we need support for the human beings behind local news like the Times Union Hearst, however, is continuing to stall on our contract — as they have for the past 17 years (1/3)

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Hearst has bought up dozens of local newspapers and now owns the four largest newspapers in Texas. Local news and journalists’ jobs there must be protected. That’s why our News Guild siblings at the Austin NewsGuild and Dallas News Guild are demanding Hearst: (1/4)

act.aflcio.org

Tell Hearst: Keep Texas news written by Texans!

Hearst Media has bought up dozens of local newspapers across the state and now owns the four largest newspapers in Texas. We need to make sure that our local news and journalists’ jobs are protected!…

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

It’s all or nothing with Hearst. Here’s what Hearst wants: ❌ Drop our members in advertising – leaving employees vulnerable to the company’s whims. ❌ No contractual wage increases. All increases will be based on merit. (1/3)

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Albany Newspaper Guild @albanyguild.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

The latest on our bargaining with the Times Union: On Thursday, the Guild’s negotiating team met with Hearst’s team for a two-hour bargaining session where we were expecting an updated proposal. We received none (1/5)

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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

A message from CWA President Claude Cummings Jr.: Today we honor, as a union and as a nation, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest civil rights leaders in our shared history. Thread -->

A graphic that says MLK Jr. Day. "We can all get more together than we can apart. And this is the way we gain power." - Martin Luther King Jr.

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