On May 30, 2013, Sun-Times Media laid off its entire 28-member photo department staff. Less than a year later, four of the 17 photographers that were protected by the collective bargaining agreement were hired back.

What about the 13 Guild-covered photographers and the other 11 photojournalists who were not brought back to work at Sun-Times Media?

All those individuals were invited to join the new unit they inspired—Working Journalists.

Working Journalists is a brand new unit of Chicago Newspaper Guild for ALL Chicago-area freelance media professionals. The CNG executive board recently voted to formalize this new unit.

CNG President Dave Pollard gave this new unit his full support.

“If you are a newspaper reporter or photographer, you probably know someone who has been laid off. It’s unfortunate that this is becoming the rule instead of the exception. But we can’t let these types of moves marginalize our profession, especially when it comes to our photojournalist brothers and sisters. That’s why we formed this unit – to make sure the work they do is valued.” Pollard said.

Working Journalists seeks to build a Chicago-area community of freelancers, giving them the resources they need to be successful and help keep the journalism industry vibrant with skilled independent media professionals. Working Journalists is a growing unit of Chicago Newspaper Guild and The Newspaper Guild-CWA. The idea is to welcome visual journalists, reporters, bloggers, editors, designers and any other freelance media worker.

This new unit is in the process of building its membership.

Want to learn more? Contract freelance coordinator Beth Kramer at chicagoworkingjournalists@gmail.com.

Come to Working Journalists next open membership meeting!

When: Tuesday, May 20 at 11 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Where: 17 N. State St., Suite 1700 conference room A, Chicago

More Info: chicagoworkingjournalists@gmail.com

Working Journalists is a growing unit of Chicago Newspaper Guild and The Newspaper Guild-CWA. The idea is to welcome visual journalists, reporters, bloggers, editors, designers and any other freelance media worker.