By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star
The stage is being set for vote by reporters at the state’s largest newspaper whether to form a union as its parent company is set to be acquired by another firm.
Late Tuesday, Greg Burton, executive editor of The Arizona Republic, declined to recognize a union, even as proponents said they have submitted cards seeking recognition from more than 70 percent of the estimated 100 eligible employees.
Burton said Gannett, which owns The Republic — and has both unionized and non-union newsrooms — has found that involvement by the NewsGuild “has not helped these news organizations better serve the interests of our readers.”
The Arizona Republic, in Phoenix, is distinct from the Arizona Daily Star, in Tucson, and the two newspapers have separate ownership.
NewsGuild representative Stephanie Basile said the next step at The Republicis for the National Labor Relations Board to schedule an election, which she said should occur in about four weeks.
Burton, in a memo to employees, is urging them to reject the union.
