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Locked in tough negotiations, and working without a contract for 10 days, members of the Detroit News and Free Press newsrooms, along with supporters, participated in an informational picket line outside the papers' offices at 160 W. Fort Street in downtown Detroit during the noon lunch hour to bring greater awareness to the contract talks and protest the lack of progress.
Free Press reporter John Gallagher, president of the Detroit Newspaper Guild, said the papers' contract offers thus far have been very anti-union and have included proposals to eliminate seniority and contractual raises. The papers wants to offer merit raises only.
Gallagher said newsroom members in the past have taken pay cuts and want to recoup the losses. He said he hopes the informational picketing is sends a message to management how important the issue is to the membership.
Informational picketing is a common tactic among unions to help raise awareness of contracts and drum up community support, particularly among other unions in the community.
Contract talks began in early March and are expected to resume Thursday and Friday this week.
Management from both papers did not immediately return calls for comment.
