Los Angeles Times guild stages 1-day walkout in protest of anticipated layoffs
Guild members of the Los Angeles Times have participated in one-day walkout to protest imminent layoffs
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Guild members of the Los Angeles Times walked off the job Friday to protest what it says are imminent layoffs, the first newsroom union work stoppage in the newspaper's 143-year history.
The paper's journalists and their supporters rallied in an LA civic center park, chanting and waving signs that said, "Don't Cut Our Future." The guild said members would also protest in other cities.
The guild said in a statement that the Times is planning to lay off a “significant” number of journalists, but that the union cannot specify the number because management has insisted on negotiating in meetings that are off the record. The guild also said the paper wants to gut seniority protections.
Last week, Executive Editor Kevin Merida abruptly left after a 2 1/2-year tenure. In June, more than 70 positions — about 13% of the newsroom — were cut.
