At 11:30 a.m. Central Time Wednesday staffers at the San Antonio Report walked off the job after hearing that their colleague Sandra Santos was laid off by the nonprofit newsroom in Texas.
“This is exactly the type of thing we organized to prevent so we could find solutions for the organization and the members,” said Isaac Windes, an education reporter at the San Antonio Report.
Windes said Santos was laid off without warning and was one of the few women of color in an editor role and a veteran of the industry.
“This will change working conditions cross the board — we’re a small organization,” he said. “Taking out a member like that will change all of our jobs.”
“We see this as an unfair labor practice and walked off the job in solidarity with our member,” Windes said.
The workers announced their union campaign on January 16, with 100% of the workers signed onto a mission statement and 100% signing union cards.
The workers have not yet won a union election or voluntary recognition, but are acting within their rights under the National Labor Relations Act to protest a change to their working conditions. Management is dragging its feet recognizing a union where every worker is signed on in support.