The News Guild of Maine Fighting for Fair Contract with Maine Trust for Local News

Newspaper workers with the News Guild of Maine (CWA 31128) are in the middle of difficult negotiations for a new contract with the Maine Trust for Local News. The union is asking for raises of 10 percent to keep up with the soaring cost of living, but management is refusing to offer any raises.

“The News Guild bargaining committee is working hard for a fair contract for ALL workers at the Maine Trust for Local News,” the union wrote in a statement. “But METLN has been bringing proposals to the bargaining table that are deeply disappointing and unacceptable.”

The company is also demanding concessions, including a proposal to take way five paid days off for every employee.

“Paid time off improves the quality of life for Maine Trust for Local News employees. Our 200+ union members deserve time to rest, care for their families and recharge. Cutting PTO moves us backward,” the union stated. “We’re asking the company to come to the bargaining table with proposals that reflect our shared values: healthy employees and a strong, sustainable organization.”

In 2023, the National Trust for Local News purchased the largest network of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine, including the Press Herald, the Sun Journal in Lewiston, the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, the Times Record in Brunswick and 17 weekly papers in southern and western Maine to form the Maine Trust for Local News. Last year, 150 union members at the Press Herald, Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal made the move to merge together in the News Guild of Maine. In August, 2025, 50 reporters, photographers, copy editors, designers, advertising representatives and business staff at the Sun Journal and the Times Record, as well as the other weekly newspapers and newsletters in the Maine Trust for Local News also joined the New Guild of Maine.

You can show your support by sharing the News Guild’s graphics on Instagram and Facebook.