Maine Trust Workers at Sun Journal, Times Record & Several Weeklies File to Join News Guild of Maine

Last week, Maine Trust for Local News (METLN) news workers at the Sun Journal in Lewiston, the Times Record in Brunswick and weekly newspapers and newsletters throughout southern and western Maine launched their campaign to unionize and join the News Guild of Maine Local 31128 of the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America. On August 19, news staff filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to welcome nearly 50 additional people into the union, which currently represents 150 employees of the Portland Press Herald and newsroom staff at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville. News staff at the Kennebec Journal in Augusta are part of CWA 14115 and are in the process of merging with the News Guild of Maine.

“Joining together with colleagues in solidarity to ensure individual and collective rights has been an amazing experience,” said Joe Charpentier, an environmental reporter with the Sun Journal. “We’ve learned so much about each other and what our roles are at METLN, and we’ve come to better appreciate the hard work each and every person does that makes what we all do together possible. Unionizing ensures that none of us have to face challenges alone, that we have each other’s backs. That solidarity makes us stronger, more secure and more effective in the work we do together.”

Two years ago this month, the National Trust for Local News purchased the largest network of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine. Unfortunately, many employees are still excluded from the protections of collective bargaining agreements, even though they are part of the same company under common ownership. That means that they see staggering pay disparity and are more vulnerable to layoffs. Maine Trust workers are calling on the nonprofit organization to voluntarily recognize their expanded union that will represent all workers at the Maine Trust for Local News.

“Whether newcomer or veteran, reporter or sales staff, every one of us deserves the benefits and protections of a union,” said Sophie Burchell,acommunity reporter for Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth and Falmouth who previously reported for the Forecaster. “We all deserve the chance to see a future in this work. As we stand here today asking to be voluntarily recognized as one union, I am hopeful about that future.”

Rep. Matt Beck (D-So. Portland), a former news worker at WGME and member of IBEW 1837, joined the Maine Trust employees at a press conference to ask the company to voluntarily recognize the union.

“Beyond just informing us, local newspapers act as a critical watchdog, holding elected officials like me accountable, investigating issues that affect our health and safety, and ensuring transparency in state and local government,” said Beck. “Without these important workers, who would ask the tough questions? The health of our democracy relies on the essential work these people do. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. We should treat these trained professionals with the respect that they deserve, the respect that they have earned.”

Can you take a moment and ask the Maine Trust for Local News to recognize the new One Big News Union? Let’s support the hardworking staff who keep us informed, hold government accountable and bind our communities together!

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