Again and again, DallasNews Corp. makes egregious decisions. Again and again, the Guild complains to the feds

Does DallasNews Corp care? Doesn’t seem so.

The National Labor Relations Act protects the right to organize and negotiate without repercussions. When things go wrong, you file an “unfair labor practice” complaint with the feds.

If things continue at their current pace, DallasNews Corp. will have as many unfair labor practice complaints filed against it as it has Pulitzer Prizes for journalism.

When we formed the Dallas News Guild, we hoped to get through the bargaining process for our first contract with minimal pain and distraction.

Sadly, in the two years since our union launch, we have filed seven Unfair Labor Practice charges against our employer.

Why are we angry, frustrated and disappointed with our employer? Here are some choice examples.

ULP #1: Bad faith bargaining

We have yet to find a newspaper union that allows for outsourcing of jobs in its contract, but that’s exactly what DallasNews Corp. wants.

ULP #2: Closure of the Washington, D.C. Bureau Office

Our 3-person D.C. Bureau’s office space was shuttered, and our workers there are now required, with much inconvenience, to work from home. This act against the legendary bureau was done without consultation with the Guild, as required by law, since it represents a significant change in Guild members’ working conditions without Guild participation. 

ULP #3: Return to Office Expectations

At the end of 2022, the company told the Guild that members should work in the office at least three days a week.

This was a material change in status quo, made without the required Guild participation.

We agreed to return but reminded members they could ask for exemptions for good faith fears related to COVID-19, family care obligations and other significant health-related reasons. 

Yet, some of those exemption requests were denied. Why? Social media posts showed members out and about with friends and family. 

There is a difference between sitting cubicle-to-cubicle in an office with dozens of employees and the occasional outing.

ULP #4: Mandatory handbook training sparked new questions

In February, workers were notified of updates to the employee handbook and enrolled in a mandatory “training” course requiring us to sign an attestation of agreement and intention to comply. 

Members had a lot of questions about how certain policies, such as those on social media use and political involvement could negatively affect them and possibly lead to their termination. 

After the Guild complained, the company agreed to keep bargaining unit employees under the 2018 version of the handbook until the two parties reach a deal on the collective bargaining agreement. The company also agreed to nullify any signatures on the 2022 version of the handbook.

ULP #5: Health insurance negotiations

On this one, the NLRB ruled against the company for altering our annual health insurance plans without consultation with the Guild.

“When we voted to unionize, we democratized our workplace and made sure our workers had a say in decision-making. That means the company must come to us when they want to change things that affect our workers,” said Leah Waters, Dallas News Guild Bargaining Committee chair. “But the company didn’t come to us when they changed the health care plan. All we’re asking is they follow the law.” 

What’s next?

We have our first mediation session tomorrow. We’re determined to finish this contract as soon as possible.

Are you, DMN?

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The Dallas Morning News is part of the oldest continuously operated business in Texas and the state’s leading newspaper. Proudly, we are the first major newspaper newsroom in the state to unionize in the modern era.

The Dallas News Guild covers the DMN and Al Dia, which includes more than 130 journalists across all departments of the newsroom, including reporters, columnists, data journalists, copy editors, librarians, web producers, audio producers, page designers, photographers and videographers. Eligible newsroom workers voted in October 2021 by a margin of over 75% to form a union.

Keep up with our bargaining efforts on Instagram and Twitter — @DallasNewsGuild — and at the NEWS tab at DallasNewsGuild.org.

#ByDallasForDallas