Los Angeles Times Journalists Approve New Labor Contract, Avoiding Strike

Journalists at the Los Angeles Times will not be going on strike. Less than two months after union members authorized a potential work stoppage, the newsroom union has officially ratified a new labor contract. On Tuesday, approximately 87% of Los Angeles Times Guild members voted in favor of the agreement.

The agreement concludes a long and challenging negotiation process that extended beyond the previous three-year contract term. During this period, the Times experienced the departure of a senior editor, several rounds of layoffs, and the introduction of an AI tool that faced strong opposition from the union. Additionally, the union carried out its first-ever work stoppage over staff reductions.

At the outset, the Guild represented roughly 450 members, but that number fell to just over 200 by mid-year. Affiliated with the Media Guild of the West, the union represents reporters, editors, photographers, and designers at the nearly 144-year-old newspaper.

It should not have taken this long to get here, said Matt Hamilton, chair of the Guild unit and Times reporter. Despite managements repeated attempts to stall negotiations and create division, our members stayed united and emerged stronger. This contract is a testament to our perseverance.

The new deal provides substantial wage increases for staff. Employees will receive $3,000 in the first year, $2,750 in the second year, and $2,500 in the third year. Staff at Times Community News will see $5,000 raises in the first year and $4,000 in the subsequent two years.

The contract also introduces several new workplace protections and benefits, including the recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday, safeguards for employees to use their chosen names and pronouns, and a commitment from management to respond to instances of online harassment. It also mandates disclosure of any required drug testing in job postings and establishes union-covered per diem positions to reduce reliance on non-union freelancers and temporary workers.

The union acknowledged that not all goals were fully achieved. While hoping to strengthen seniority protections, the Guild described progress in that area as modest.

Earlier in October, 85% of members had voted to authorize a strike amid slow negotiations. Following that vote, the parties conducted an intensive 20-hour bargaining session, ultimately reaching the strike-averting agreement in mid-November.

Author: Sophia Brooks