By: Bernie Lunzer

Bernie Lunzer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:45:18 +0000

The Newspaper Guild-CWA has placed diversity as a paramount goal for our organization, and have an ambitious program under way. We don’t believe newspapers will be able to develop a new successful business model if their staffs don’t reflect their communities. Recently during a RIF at the Sun-Times, we asked our journalists of color if we should relax seniority requirements, and they resoundingly said.no. We used seniority as a lever to get a buyout, and when all was said and done we actually improved the percentage of journalists of color on staff. Sadly, there were still fewer jobs.
Many seniority clauses (like San Jose’s) allow for special considerations to be taken into account, including diversity. We’ll continue our commitment to inclusion and diversity in the Guild and in all media operations.
Bernie Lunzer - President, TNG-CWA (attendee at Unity2008)

Comments on: Media Layoffs Take Toll On Diversity

By: Bernie Lunzer