The LA Times union has announced plans to file a grievance against the newspaper for a "major mistake" in calculating severance payments for unionized laid-off employees, based on their tenure. This issue comes amid broader concerns of anti-union actions within the media industry, as evidenced by the Long Beach Post's recent layoffs targeting the "ringleaders of the unionization effort" and supporters, actions criticized as "blatant retaliation" for unionization efforts. The Long Beach Media Guild reported that its members were informed of their layoffs and locked out of company email accounts. These developments, described as "illegal retaliation" and "illegally withholding severance," have sparked discussions about potential legal repercussions for newspapers engaging in such practices.
newspaper management just going straight to illegal retaliation against unionization some places, illegally withholding severance at others. labor lawyers about to have a field day out here https://t.co/VSLowfMQ4W
Follow-up to a story I mentioned on @GTAA_Show on Monday: The Long Beach Post just edited its original layoff list to make sure they're including the ringleaders of the unionization effort. Just cartoonishly clumsy and obvious retaliation. https://t.co/PgodU7IbOJ
I’ve just been laid off from @LongBeachPost because I stood in solidarity with my colleagues. I was not originally to be laid off and was told initially that my job was safe. I wasn’t the only one. This is blatant retaliation. @LBMGuild
This morning @LongBeachPost and Business Journal CEO @MelissaEvansLBP began making calls to striking Long Beach Media Guild members informing them they’ve been laid off. We have been locked out of our company email accounts. Reach us at [email protected].
In a note to unionized employees this evening, the LA Times union said the paper made a “major mistake” calculating the amount of severance laid off staff were entitled to based on years spent at the company. The union says it will be filing a grievance over the payment issue.