Unionized journalists at Reuters protest unlawful intimidation campaign from corporate brass

NEW YORK – Unionized journalists at Reuters emptied their respective newsrooms across the country for an hour on Monday to protest company executives’ blatant attempts to chill their participation in federally-protected collective action. 

Management held “investigatory meetings” with journalists who leafleted in New York about Reuters President Paul Basacobert receiving $10 million in salary over three years while refusing to agree to fair wages in contract negotiations for Reuters newsroom employees. 

The NewsGuild of New York, on behalf of the Reuters Guild, filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against the company on Monday - the fifth ULP in recent weeks against Reuters for an array of unlawful actions. Reuters Guild – which represents over 300 media workers at the award-winning news organization – rallied around their colleagues by taking the coordinated one-hour break to let management know that the intimidation inquisitions were unacceptable. 

“This is an outrageous targeting of our members,” said Scott DiSavino, unit chair of Reuters Guild and energy correspondent. “We will not stand for this in any way.” 

On July 17, Reuters Guild members distributed the flyers, directed at Bascobert, in his neighborhood. The flyers sought to raise awareness about management’s wage proposal that is so disrespectfully low that it would amount to effective pay cuts for most members when factoring in inflation. The flyers also included a link to sign a petition in support of Reuters journalists. Photographs of action were posted on social media with one photo showing an address in the background. None of the Guild’s written posts referenced the address in any way. 

Management sent a “cease and desist” letter to the Guild, requesting that the photo be removed. In an effort to extend a courtesy, the Guild voluntarily removed the photo posts with the address flagged by the company. Despite the Guild’s immediate response to their request, Reuters management failed to bargain in good faith at the Aug. 4 bargaining session. The NewsGuild of New York filed an immediate unfair labor practice charge for refusing to bargain and bad faith bargaining. 

“It’s a shame that management continues to invest in the performance of bargaining instead of investing in Reuters journalists by agreeing to a contract that recognizes the value of their work,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “We are committed to fighting for a contract with fair wages at Reuters and our members will not be intimidated or bullied into accepting less than their worth.”