It's not a good time to have fewer journalists.

Just this week, @memphisnews reporters + photographers have documented the wave of COVID-19 patients in ICU, an outbreak in an assisted living facility, volunteers distributing groceries to families in need and so much more.
Officers of the @memnewsguild1 have also been in talks with editors and @Gannett over proposed furloughs the company wants to implement starting Monday.
We don't want to be furloughed, especially in such unprecedented times, but have suggested some basic protections in exchange to agreeing to the furloughs. Here are some of our asks of the company:

- That the furlough period sunset at June 30, 2020.
-That The Commercial Appeal not have any layoffs during the three-month furlough period.

-That benefits continue through the furlough period + benefit eligibility not be affected by furlough time.

-That the company not contest unemployment claims during the furlough period
- That employees who test positive for COVID-19 receive two weeks of full pay and benefits in addition to regular sick leave.

- That employees required to go on location outside their home until June 30, 2020 receive hazard pay at a premium rate of $3 an hour.
So far, the company seems amenable to some of these requests--namely the ones they have already said they would do, such as allowing the continuation of benefits and not contesting unemployment.
But furloughs have been pitched to us as an alternative to layoffs. So why would we agree to furloughs if layoffs are still an option?

Other companies are ensuring that their employees will be cared for if they contract COVID-19. Why shouldn't @Gannett?
You can follow @KathsBurgess.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: