In our contract talks, we pressed for MLK Day to be honored as a company holiday. @LeeEntNews balked but later announced it would be recognized in 2022. We lobbied for better mileage. Lee complained but has since nudged up its rate — though still far, far below the IRS standard.
We fought for stronger parental leave. Lee dragged its feet but recently announced it would expand to 4 paid weeks. That's a degree of progress. Except corporate is withholding it from the guilds in an effort to renegotiate our contracts and raid other protections we've won.
Unions are leading the charge for better working conditions for journalists. And our voices are making a difference. Our newsrooms deserve to be covered by the policies they fought for — without our kids being used as leverage against us. We're urging Lee to do the right thing.