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

Earlier this year we also received letters of support from NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento and members of the NYS legislature: Harry Bronson, Jessica Ramos, Carrie Woerner, Pat Fahy, Gabriella Romero, Michelle Hinchey, John McDonald, James Skoufis, Phil Steck and Didi Barrett

Dear Mr. Swartz: As a subscriber, and on behalf of the 2.5 million members and 3,000 local unions of the New York State AFL-CIO, I write to express the union movement’s solidarity with the members of The Albany News Guild, Local 31034, TNG-CWA, as they bargain with the Times Union for a fair contract. As you know, here in New York, our strong union movement is a testament to the power and leverage of workers who stand together. With thousands of unions representing millions of workers across the public sector, private sector and building trades, the percentage of union membership in our state is nearly double the national average. Pursuant to State Labor Law, it is the policy of our state to encourage collective bargaining, the right to which is also enshrined in the New York State Constitution. The labor of journalists and all media workers at the Times Union fills a critical role in the Capital Region. Tens of thousands of people, including many union members and leaders, rely on the Times Union every day for accurate, informative, and timely news that impacts their daily lives. Journalists and media workers at the Times Union have gone without a contract for more than 17 years; yet they still provide this high quality, trustworthy reporting to the region under such difficult circumstances. The union movement aims to ensure that all workers are paid good, family-sustaining wages and treated fairly and equitably. I implore you to negotiate a contract that ensures the people who we rely upon to inform us about the State government and Capital Region are paid and treated fairly. Furthermore, concerns have been voiced pertaining to attempts to break up the bargaining unit. These concerns are only strengthened by recent reports of discipline among

bargaining unit members. It should be known that any attempts to union bust will not be tolerated. Times Union readers are counting on you to come to a fair and speedy resolution on this contract. I 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
Mario Cilento

February 18, 2026
George R. Hearst III, Publisher
The Times Union
645 Albany Shaker Rd.
Albany, NY 12211
Dear Mr. Hearst,
We the undersigned members of the New York State Legislature write to you regarding the
ongoing contract negotiations between The Albany News Guild, Local 31034, TNG-CWA, and
the Times Union. As you know, it is the policy of New York State 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 every day for accurate,
informative, and timely news stories that impact their daily lives. Even though no collective
bargaining agreement has yet to be reached, journalists and media workers at the Times Union
are still providing high quality, trustworthy reporting to the region.
New York State aims 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, concerns have been voiced pertaining to attempts made to break up the bargaining
unit. 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,

Harry B. Bronson
Assemblymember, AD-138
Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee
Carrie Woerner
Assemblymember, AD-113
Gabriella Romero
Assemblymember, AD-109
John T. McDonald III
Assemblymember, AD-108
Phil Steck
Assemblymember AD-110
cc:
Jessica Ramos
State Senator, SD-13
Chair of the Senate Labor Committee
Patricia Fahy
State Senator, SD-46
Michelle Hinchey
State Senator, SD-41
James Skoufis
State Senator, SD-42
Didi Barrett
Assemblymember, AD-106
Steve Swartz, President and CEO, Hearst Corporation
Jeff Johnson, Senior Vice President, Hearst Corporation
Vincent Floyd, Senior Labor Counsel, Hearst Corporation
Renee Peterson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Hearst Corporation

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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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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 · 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 · 14/04/2026

Guild member H.R. Schneider snapped this photo from their car in Washington County while covering reactions at an apartment complex after a local woman was killed #journalismhappenshere

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

We made our voices heard, but the fight is not over yet! We need Hearst to move forward with us on a contract, and we won’t stop until it’s done (3/3)

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

And thank you to all the anonymous passersby who honked your horns and showed us you care about local news and a fair contract for workers (2/3)

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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 · 23/12/2025

For the last 17 years, the Albany Newspaper Guild has been fighting for a new contract. Yes, our negotiations are old enough to apply for a driver’s license now 1/4

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