The traditionally anti-union Tronc newspaper company on Friday agreed to allow journalists at its two Virginia papers to organize, averting the need for a federally overseen vote, organizers tell NPR.
Journalists at Tronc's two Virginia papers, the Daily Press in Newport News and The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, are following the path of other Tronc newsrooms after corporate controversies.
Tronc cited financial pressures in gutting the newsroom of the punchy New York City tabloid, a major force in local coverage. It has won Pulitzer Prizes and been a thorn in President Trump's side.
Patrick Soon-Shiong takes over the Los Angeles Times on Monday. He said he hopes it will be perceived "not just as a regional paper, but indeed a national paper and hopefully an international paper."
In the face of overwhelming support for the labor drive, the troubled media company relented, saying Sunday that it will negotiate with journalists at its Chicago-area publications.
Journalists at the Chicago Tribune say they want to unionize to secure better pay and resources to fulfill their mission. Parent company Tronc sold the LA Times soon after its newsroom unionized.
Ross Levinsohn's strategy for his company's newspapers would serve up more digital content from outside their newsrooms under their brands. He calls the vision "gravitas with scale."
The Los Angeles Times has been mired in controversy, including an NPR report on harassment allegations against its publisher. Now the paper is being sold to a California-based doctor and entrepreneur.
Among the issues roiling the Times is the turnover of executives after reporting by NPR's David Folkenflik on allegations of sexual harassment. Times journalists also voted recently to unionize.
Parent company Tronc opened the inquiry after a request for comment by NPR. Daily News Managing Editor Robert Moore is accused of pressuring women for attention and punishing those who object.
