Florida Times-Union votes to unionize

Not that it will change much but at least the corporate suites got a message.

The Florida Times-Union newsroom votes to form union

 

When you would be better off paying one one of those planes that carry banners over football games to advertise than you would the local paper - that's a problem.

 

The vote was 18 to nine for the union. It was reported that total editorial staff is 35.

I think I read daily circulation in Jax is down to about 43,000. Is that true?

I wonder if the union will be able to get a contract signed before the paper folds.

 

There are two problems that I think the union will find insurmountable.

The first is that if Gatehouse, the owner, gives an inch to the union their other papers will be unionized in a matter of days.

The second is that the chains can find ways to easily replace any striking reporters. Gatehouse owns Daytona, Gainesville and a bunch of other papers in Florida. They can get Gators coverage from Gainesville (I would guess they already do). If the Times-Union Jaguars beat writer is on a picket line then I would bet someone from Daytona or Gainesville would be dispatched to provide material for the entire chain. Similar tactics could be used for other beats.

And while many would balk at being a "replacement" what would your reaction be if you had worked at the same place for 15 years and risked getting fired for not covering the Jags if told by your boss to do so?

 

Sure it won't be a popular take with everyone, but when it comes to unionization, my priorities lie with my family first and my colleagues second. I would tread carefully if my job could be in danger.

 

If you work for a newspaper, your job is in danger.

Bargaining collectively may not save it, but at this point it's not like it's going to make anything worse.

 

Interesting points but there are about 20 union Gatehouse newspapers, including Sarasota and Lakeland before Jacksonville. There have been no attempts at retaliation but neither have there been new contracts. Doubt if Daytona or Gainesville have the reporters to spare to send up to Jacksonville to break a strike.

 

I know you're a huge J'ville fanboy, but you do realize that teams with good fan bases sell out season tickets at the start of the season right? Yes, the Jaguars are staying in Jakcsonville, but if the NFL didn't have revenue sharing they probably would've been gone several years ago.

 

If Gatehouse was going drop coverage because of shortage of manpower would it be of of local high schools somewhere or of a local NFL team?

As for the papers not having contracts what is happening? Gatehouse "negotiates" but never signs a contract and everything continues as is?

 

I have no idea what will happen here, but I'm sure Gatehouse won't be basing any decisions on how they could get Gators coverage from Gainesville or who would cover the Jaguars.

 

And how many of those teams, out of the 32, exist right now? Even the Redskins aren't selling out and they used to have a waiting list that took decades to get tickets.

 

Didn't do a study. I know the Giants don't have a waiting list, you can't buy season tix without paying an insane amount for a PSL. So for a team that sucked balls the last few seasons, they still sell all their tickets. Even the Jets sell PSLs for lower level seats, but if the Jags want to have a parade for selling out a couple games a season they can.


https://www.seatacular.com/nfl-season-ticket-waiting-lists-teams-wish/

So until they officially become the London Jaguars, contact the ticket office.