LA Times union votes to authorize strike for first time ever

[Omaha Steve]

https://laist.com/news/la-times-union-authorizes-first-strike

By Elly Yu
Published Oct 9, 2025 12:53 PM

The union representing L.A. Times journalists overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike for the first time ever Thursday as they entered the third year of contract negotiations. A strike has not yet been scheduled.

What’s new: Union members say they haven’t had a cost-of-living increase since 2021 and have faced intimidation from management to organize. They also want protections against layoffs and stronger guardrails against work done by “freelancers, temps and work done by other companies owned by” Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong.

Is this historic? Yes, this is the first-ever strike authorization by the L.A. Times Guild, which was formed in 2018. The union also held a one-day walkout in January 2024 to protest anticipated layoffs — the first newsroom work stoppage since the paper began printing in 1881, the Guild said.

The union representing L.A. Times journalists overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike for the first time ever Thursday as they entered the third year of contract negotiations. A strike has not yet been scheduled.
What’s new: Union members say they haven’t had a cost-of-living increase since 2021 and have faced intimidation from management to organize. They also want protections against layoffs and stronger guardrails against work done by “freelancers, temps and work done by other companies owned by” Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong.

Is this historic? Yes, this is the first-ever strike authorization by the L.A. Times Guild, which was formed in 2018. The union also held a one-day walkout in January 2024 to protest anticipated layoffs — the first newsroom work stoppage since the paper began printing in 1881, the Guild said.

FULL story at link above.


Members of the L.A. Times Guild held a one-day walkout in 2024.
(Brian Feinzimer/LAist)