Tribune Publishing recognizes the union's press room 'Hartford Courant': NPR

Journalists at Hartford Current were given the right to organize, only four days after having asked the parent company Tribune Publishing to recognize the union. The organizers of the Connecticut newspaper also filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Commission.

"The company has agreed to voluntarily recognize the Hartford Courant guild as the representative of some employees of the Hartford Courant and Courant community's newsrooms," said Tribune Publishing in a statement on Friday. "No date has been set for the start of the contract negotiations."

the Current is the latest in many Tribune newspapers to have their newsrooms syndicated. Similar efforts have been made successfully Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, the The Virginian driver in Norfolk, Virginia, and the Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia (Tribune Publishing, previously named Trunk, was later sold to The LA Times.)

The Hartford Courant guild will cover nearly 60 journalists, editors and photographers in the newspaper. More than 80% of eligible staff members have signed union cards indicating that they want to be represented, the organizers said.

"We thank Tribune Publishing for taking this step, which speeds up contract negotiations and recognizes the overwhelming willingness of our newsroom to take a seat at the table," the union said in a statement.

"We look forward to building a more productive and collaborative relationship with society as we join the conversation that shapes the future of the Hartford Courant, as we strive to improve resources and support so we can continue to serve. our readers at best, our abilities. "

Tribune Publishing was the subject of discussions on the sale and merger, and in January, the newspaper chain announced the departure of its CEO and the two main managers of its digital branch.