The State Journal-Register has suffered massive staffing cuts under the ownership of GateHouse Media. Copy editing jobs were sent out of state. Although the SJ-R has remained highly profitable, many surviving reporters, editors and photographers have gone more than seven years without a raise.
The parent company is siphoning off profits to pay dividends to shareholders and purchase other properties. By refusing to reinvest in the SJ-R, GateHouse has triggered constant staff turnover, diminished the news gathering operation and left the state capital with a much lesser newspaper.
Reporters, editors and photographers at the State Journal-Register organized in 2012 with the United Media Guild, a local within the The News Guild-Communications Workers of America. We are negotiating a first contract that will encourage staff retention and ensure the first-rate journalism Springfield deserves.
Please join our efforts to convince GateHouse Media that Springfield deserves a great newspaper. Help us save the SJ-R.
