By Steven Hsieh | Phoenix New Times
A human resources representative for Gannett, the parent company of The Arizona Republic, confiscated the work phone of a reporter involved in a campaign to unionize the Phoenix newsroom, the reporter said on Facebook.
Rebekah Sanders, who covers scams and bad business practices, claimed that a Gannett representative “interrogated” her about her “unionizing activity.” Afterward, Sanders said, the representative confiscated her work phone.
“I asked how I would conduct interviews the rest of the day. She said, ‘You won’t.’ I asked when I could have it back,” Sanders wrote in a public Facebook post. “She said she would let me know. My work cell has all of my contacts and is an integral part of my job.”
Sanders told Phoenix New Times that the Gannett representative told her that the phone confiscation was part of a “personnel investigation” into an allegation that she was involved in the “surveillance” of co-workers.
She denied that she participated in any “surveillance” and emphasized that federal law guarantees the rights of workers to talk about workplace issues and organize unions.
“I have for 12 years built a career on my personal integrity and my commitment to reporting the truth and caring for my community,” Sanders said. “I don’t believe I’ve done anything wrong.”
She added that she has never been disciplined during her career at the Republic.
Gannett could not be reached for comment.
