The Chicago Tribune Guild has been organizing the famed newsroom and according to NPR, they have received around 85 percent support to create a formal union. The Guild informed Tronc, owner of the Tribune and The Los Angeles Times, that they would like to be recognized and begin formal contract negotiations.
According to a letter from the Chicago Tribune Guild organizing committee obtained by NPR, the nascent union has received signed union authorization cards from more than 85 percent of staffers who would fall under the bargaining unit.
"Voluntary recognition would allow us to begin contract negotiations, saving the company the cost and inconvenience of a campaign and an election that will result overwhelmingly in our favor," read the letter, sent Tuesday morning to Bruce Dold, the Tribune's editor and publisher. This story will be updated with any reaction from the Tribune and Tronc.
Tronc fought pretty hard against the unionization of the Los Angeles Times, and found themselves routinely embarrassed in public when the egregiousness of Tronc’s greed would get floated to the front pages. The Guild has given Tronc ownership one day to make the right decision.
"If the company does not recognize the Chicago Tribune Guild, we will file the signature cards tomorrow with the National Labor Relations Board, and an election will be scheduled," the organizing committee wrote in a separate note to staffers.
Unions are one of the best chances we have of actually making America great again.