Members of the newly formed San Antonio Report Union staged a walkout on Wednesday morning, protesting the management’s decision to lay off editor Sandra Santos.
The union promptly filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), arguing that the dismissal was illegal. The move has ignited discussions about labor rights, transparency, and diversity within the newsroom.
San Antonio Report Union Declares Walkout
The San Antonio Report Union, communicating through their Twitter account, declared the walkout as a legally protected unfair labor practice strike.
The union accused the newsroom’s management of violating labor laws during a critical period under the NLRB. A statement from the union emphasized their commitment to the cause: “This layoff is illegal given we are in a critical period under the NLRB; we are filing an ULP with the National Labor Relations Board.”
Despite the union’s allegations, San Antonio Report CEO and publisher Angie Mock signaled a potential resolution, stating, “We signaled a likelihood that we will voluntarily recognize the union as quickly as possible, and we are diligently working toward that end. ”The workers, however, seem resolute in their stance, highlighting the need for open and transparent conversations about the future of the newsroom.
The digital nonprofit newsroom’s journalists had recently announced the formation of their union, seeking voluntary recognition from the management.
Despite a missed recognition deadline, workers had expressed hope in resolving issues through dialogue. The layoff of Sandra Santos has now become a focal point, intensifying the union’s determination to address concerns related to job security and workplace transparency.
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Concerns over Diversity at San Antonio Report
The layoff of Sandra Santos, described as an essential part of the newsroom, has raised concerns about diversity within the leadership of the San Antonio Report.
Lindsey Carnett, an environment reporter at the newsroom, emphasized the importance of Santos’ role as a woman of color, adding that the loss exacerbates the existing diversity challenges in newsroom leadership.
Iris Dimmick, a senior reporter at San Antonio Report, highlighted that the workers had been made aware of potential budget cuts at the beginning of the month but were not informed about the extent or whether it would involve layoffs.
Dimmick stressed that management’s decision underscores the necessity for a union, allowing for open and transparent discussions to navigate such challenges collectively.
As the San Antonio Report Union takes a stand against what they consider an unlawful layoff, the newsroom is thrust into a critical period of negotiations and discussions.
The incident has brought attention to the broader issues of labor rights, workplace transparency, and diversity within the news industry, prompting observers to closely follow the developments in the coming days.Union, San Antonio Report, Employment Laws, Layoff Allegations, Labor Union, Workplace Issues, Legal Dispute, Employee Rights, US News, Newsbreak
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