We have been bargaining with @tribpub
since mid-March about securing basic sick leave and workplace protections for our members covering COVID-19, perhaps the most wide-ranging story in modern history. It has been deeply frustrating, bordering on insulting.

A thread follows —> https://twitter.com/CTGuild/status/1245842995045425154

The company failed to secure sufficient PPE for its essential workers, even after it became clear this fatal pandemic would reach American shores (Chicago had the first community transmission C-19 case in the U.S., which we reported on). ...

I come from a "bait a nightcrawler, wash your hand off in the lake and eat a sandwich" family. I am not "germaphobic." Even I could tell by late Feb. this was coming, so I purchased a face covering on Feb. 25. (this was before officials so publicly advised leaving N-95s to pros)

TPub failed to plan and acquire PPE for its workers, who they knew they would be sending out to cover this virus as essential workers, putting them and their relations in harm's way. Workers only received limited PPE from the company in the past few days — a month too late. ...

@tribpub has refused to extend sick leave protections for those who contract COVID-19 while on-the-job: This means workers must BURN THEIR REGULAR SICK TIME AND VACATION should they become infected, despite the fact many reporters and photogs are forced to go out on assignment.

Many going out on hazardous duty are hourly, having limited sick time and vacation. Should they fall ill in the line, as one publicly has, I guess they can forget about visiting family at Christmas, or taking any other health-related time off? (assuming they live, of course?) ...

If you think this is theoretical, plz consult this thread. https://twitter.com/JessicaVillag/status/1245421068275384320?s=20

Finally, they are reserving the right to discipline those who refuse assignments on safety grounds, now that they have provided EXTREMELY limited PPE (like, 1 mask, 1 mini thing of hand sanitizer limited).

This flys in the face of precedent. More follows....