AP Workers "Under Assault"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Charging that the Associated Press – the world’s biggest news organization – is launching an assault on workers’ health care, retirement and other union benefits, dozens of journalists and news media workers protested outside the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday morning, urging visitors and passersby to support quality journalism. “We’re facing some completely unjustified cuts,” said News Media Guild-TNG/CWA President Tony Winston (at right), who told Union City that AP workers’ contract expired in November 2010. “Even though we’ve already implemented many cost saving measures, and despite the company enjoying several years of strong growth, management wants to double workers’ medical contributions and essentially cut in half their retirement plan. The idea of retaining and attracting quality professionals is an important public value and we’re asking for the public’s support.” Click here now to sign a petition asking AP management to “accept sensible proposals to protect the business AND the workers.” – report/photo by Adam Wright