Ross Levinsohn (Publisher L.A. Times) on the upcoming union vote

From: Levinsohn, Ross
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2017 11:37 AM
Subject: A Year of Change and A Pivotal Moment for the LA Times

Hello LA Times team,

As the year winds to a close, I wanted to thank you all for welcoming me almost four months ago and for the tremendous work this team does on a daily basis.

It has been both a groundbreaking and challenging year in our business. The media industry continues to see dramatic shifts. Tech platforms continue to expand, with Google, Facebook, Apple, Netflix and Amazon dominating engagement and monetization. Consolidation in the media world continues, while journalism has experienced a massive renaissance. There is intense pressure, but there is also a wealth of opportunity.

Here in L.A., and throughout our company, we have experienced dramatic changes, too. The Los Angeles Times has seen a decade or more of change, instability and new strategies, which has led to uncertainty and frustration for many. Yet through it all, our commitment to delivering world-class journalism and experiences never fails. Our recent coverage of the Las Vegas shooting and the massive wildfires has set the standard nationwide, while “Dirty John,” last week’s report on a secret list of problem sheriff’s deputies and dozens of other big stories have continued to drive increased readership, digital growth, subscriptions and national acclaim. And we are just hitting our stride for awards season.

Since arriving just over 100 days ago, I have spent significant time getting to know many of you and members of the community. A few key themes have come up, again and again:

We are committed to excellence in journalism and passionate about the brand
There is a universal desire for a clear and credible plan and strategy
People want the LA Times to succeed, for generations to come, and stay connected to our community

For me, this has been an incredible journey and learning experience, and it has helped to shape our strategic plan – which you will hear about in the weeks ahead. The plan is built upon the foundation of great journalism with a vision to become a more modern media company. It is informed by the changing media landscape, the fragmentation of audiences, the importance of distinct verticals and voices, and the need to find and embrace a mission that will place us at the center of the conversation. There has never been a more important time in our company’s history, nor in the history of our nation, to drive the national narrative…to embrace facts and truths and report them…to deliver powerful statements that shape our future…and to celebrate the greatness in our city and our country.

Amidst all of this, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. As many of you know, the News Guild filed with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election to unionize our newsroom on Jan. 4. As we have learned through recent elections, including the historic special election in Alabama, every single vote matters. This election to unionize The Times newsroom is different, though. In most typical elections, those with the most votes, win. In this union election, the union only needs 50% of the actual votes that are cast, plus 1, to win.

We have seen and heard the call for a union from some vocal and passionate folks. We have also heard from a large number of employees in the newsroom who are concerned about unionization and recently, about a few of the tactics being used by some of their coworkers. At a time when our industry is under attack from Washington and a vocal minority in the country, the last thing I believe we need is to fight amongst ourselves. I encourage everyone to act with passion, and integrity. No matter which way this vote goes, we will still be one company with an important purpose.

For those opposed to the unionization, at this point, the only way to prevent the union from coming in is to vote “no.” If the News Guild is elected, you will need to wait at least a full year before holding a vote to decertify the union. If a collective bargaining agreement is reached, it could be January 2021 or later before a new vote could occur.

The decision to unionize isn’t just a newsroom issue, it’s a total company issue. We want and need strong, thriving and rich world-class editorial. We also need great digital products and smart, effective marketing. We need our infrastructure to stay secure and robust, and our workplace to be vibrant. These areas, plus others, all add up to a significant budget. There are always tradeoffs where we invest, where we don’t, and how much.

So, for the newsroom: Whichever side you are on, your voices need to be heard. The date for voting in person is Jan. 4. If you need a mail-in ballot because your manager has assigned or authorized you to be away from your work location, you will need to request that mail ballot by Jan. 11. The details are being shared separately through email and public postings.

As we head into 2018, I want to put the union discussion behind us and move forward. Whether we have a union or not, we will run our business against a strategic plan that outlines a path to vibrancy and sustainable success. That will include change for certain – change that will reposition us to be stronger and more relevant to our community and beyond. Our mission has never been more important.

Vote. Your voice matters.

Ross