The Guild had another frustrating bargaining session Thursday in which the company declined to discuss any topics without seeing a comprehensive proposal from the Guild. That is despite the fact the Guild provided a comprehensive proposal in November detailing the many tentative agreements between the sides and the outstanding sections of the contract that still needed work.

The company has failed to make one single “on the record proposal” since the sides resumed on-the-record talks in July 2025.

This makes the bargaining team believe the company is simply attempting to delay progress towards a deal. In fact, the company used the same tactic in Austin – basically saying the Guild is confusing them with too many pieces of paper.

Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Journalism Sustainability Act is now offering New York news outlets hefty tax credits for hiring new reporters and keeping their newsroom vibrant. The Times Union is eligible for $320,000 a year.

We are using our frustration about the process to expand our public campaign – securing support from state Senators, Assembly and other community members to put pressure on the company. We are also receiving help from local unions, whose members have deep connections with the state Capitol and are happy to help.

On Sept. 17, the Albany Newspaper Guild voted in its executive board officers to three-year terms that run from Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2028.

The officers elected were:
Wendy Liberatore, president
David Johnson, vice president
Kathleen Moore, secretary
Paul Nelson, treasurer
Justin Wisner, chief steward
Will Richards and Rose Schneider, at-large officers

At the meeting, the board discussed contract negotiations that will restart in earnest on Thursday, Sept. 25.

We also discussed calling a meeting with the Publisher George Hearst and Human Resources about changes the company wants to make to the handbook, which we oppose without negotiations, as well as recent vague threats of dismissal to those working in advertising.

We also discussed a get-together next month and around the holidays so that we can all share and get to know each other better.

Feel free to join us at our next meeting on Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The annual membership meeting of and election of board officers for the Albany Newspaper Guild, Local 31034, TNG-CWA has been called for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025.  The meeting will be held via Zoom.

You must be a member in good standing (paying dues) to participate in the meeting and to vote on any measures that come before the local.

Up for re-election, serving a three-year term will be President Wendy Liberatore, Vice President David Johnson, Secretary Kathleen Moore and Chief Steward Justin Wisner and at-large Board Members Will Richards and Rose Schneider.

Members will also have a chance to ask questions and hear updates on the contract negotiations and plans for the 2025-26 year.

The monthly Executive Board meeting will follow.

The agenda for this meeting will be posted next week.

As you are aware, the company has handed out its uneven merit salary increases. While the Guild does not stand in the way of the company offering these increases, the Guild has written a letter to Publisher George Hearst telling him that the Guild’s position will always be that all employees in the bargaining unit have the right to negotiated contractual wage increases across the board.

Raises will surely be a topic of discussion during our contract negotiations that restart on June 10 and will continue on June 17. We would like members to wear their T-shirts and buttons (which are being distributed by Guild Secretary Kathleen Moore in the newsroom and Chief Steward Justin Wisner in advertising) to the Zoom negotiations. The company will not pay you while you show up on the Zoom so you must sign in during your lunch hour or your 15-minute morning or afternoon break. Protocol requires that visitors do not speak during negotiations. However, your presence on screen will be powerful, I assure you.

We are having our quarterly members meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 12 on Zoom. At that time we can discuss how the June 10 negotiations went, the Guild’s filing of the unfair labor practice and future actions we can unite behind. I will send you a link to the Zoom soon. I do hope you can attend.

In solidarity,
Wendy Liberatore
President

The Albany Newspaper Guild marked the end of an era Thursday evening when its members and executive board accepted the resignation of longtime President Ken Crowe and installed new officials to its board.

Crowe, who worked at the Times Union for 40 years and spent at least 10 as either president, vice-president and steward with the Guild, passed the mantle to chief steward and now President Wendy Liberatore.

“Wendy will do a great job as our local’s new president,” Crowe said. “Wendy is passionate and she cares deeply about our colleagues. Wendy has demonstrated her capabilities as chief steward and secretary of the local. Wendy’s also been very active in contract negotiations. Working with Justin (Wisner), David (Johnson) and our sector representative Kathy Munroe, Wendy will lead our local to a new contract.”

In addition to Liberatore, the members installed Paul Nelson as treasurer, Wisner as chief steward and Will Richards and Rose Schneider as at-large board members. The board is rounded out by Johnson who is vice president and Kathleen Moore who is secretary.

While the board looks forward to negotiating a new contract in the coming months, Crowe’s years of knowledge and expertise will be sorely missed.

“I always said I wanted to help people,” Crowe said. “My fellow Guild members at the Albany Times Union allowed me to do that by electing me as president of the local. I really appreciate their support and belief in my abilities. Albany has always been very lucky to have a strong membership and to have their support for the executive board in dealing with the Times Union.”