NewsGuild of New York-represented journalists at Hearst Connecticut Media Group won a critical victory on Wednesday when the National Labor Relations Board rejected the company’s attempt to invalidate election results, affirming the workers’ decision to form a
union.
The Connecticut NewsGuild, which encompasses more than a hundred Hearst Connecticut Media Group journalists, organized in August 2024. Hearst refused to voluntarily recognize the union, forcing an election in May 2025. Nearly 80% of those who voted did so in favor of forming a union with the NewsGuild.
Despite a clear union victory, Hearst sought a review from the National Labor Relations Board.
In its decision* (see below), the NLRB found that there were “no substantial issues warranting review” and “the Employer’s requests for extraordinary relief are denied as moot.”
“Today’s NLRB decision should make it clear that the Connecticut News Guild’s overwhelming electoral victory was not a mistake and no one was aggrieved. We are a union and we are prepared to meet the company at the bargaining table,” said Brian Zahn, Unit Chair and a municipal government reporter for the Hearst Connecticut Media Group in a release.
Since the union’s election, Hearst has repeatedly violated labor law and refused to bargain.
Connecticut News Guild is a bargaining unit of The NewsGuild of New York, which filed four unfair labor practices against the publisher:
● Failure to bargain
● Retaliation for union activity
● Unilateral changes to working conditions regarding hybrid work
● Unilateral changes to working conditions that increased healthcare premiums
“It’s time for Hearst management to realize that their union-busting tactics to avoid the obligation to bargain over workers’ terms and conditions won’t deter or distract us,” said Susan DeCarava, president of NYGuild in the release. “Our members deserve a voice in their newsroom and we are committed to ensuring they have it through a fair contract. We will see Hearst at the table.”
The NewsGuild of New York, Local 31003 of the Communications Workers of America, is a labor union representing nearly 6,000 media professionals and other employees at New York area news organizations, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Reuters, The Nation, TIME, PEOPLE and Wirecutter. The NewsGuild of New York advocates for journalists to have a voice in the newsroom, for press freedom, for inclusive and diverse workplaces, and for just cause, no exceptions, for all media professionals.
See also:
Hearst Employees Vote to Unionize, Seek Better Working Conditions
May 23, 2025