After over a year of contentious bargaining, staff at five Northwest newspapers ratified a new three-year contract with McClatchy Media. The NewsGuild union members of the Idaho Statesman, The Olympian, The Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Herald, and the Bellingham Herald announce they’ve secured improved wages and strong worker protections against artificial intelligence — the same issues they held a one-day strike over on May 26.
Workers will receive raises of 7.2% to 15.5% over the three-year deal, with immediate raises of 3% to 11.1% and a new salary floor of $52,000. The deal also bans McClatchy from using AI to replace staff, decrease pay, or reduce working hours; forcing reporters to use AI; publishing deepfakes; impersonating union members without their consent; or creating fake AI journalists.
In their press release, the newspaper staffers thanked their supporters for helping them stand up to their bosses and continue delivering responsible journalism.
Kristine Sherred, food and dining reporter for the Tacoma News Tribune and co-chair of the Washington State NewsGuild, shared the news with the Labor Press. “Our joint bargaining showed we are indeed stronger together,” Sherred says. “Now comes the ongoing battle of enforcing our gains.”
