Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon has put up a resolution supporting the Jersey Journal Guild’s call for fair wages, stating that “local media is our bedrock to uncover corruption and educate Jersey City’s residents about their government.”
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The Jersey Journal Guild is the union representing the reporters and staff of the Jersey Journal.
Despite the increasing cost of living in Jersey City, the local newspaper’s award-winning staff have only seen a 4 percent raise in wages over the last decade, Solomon noted.
“I’m optimistic that the municipal council will overwhelmingly support this resolution that recognizes the Jersey Journal staff’s commitment to covering Jersey City and the fair wages that are necessary to sustain that effort,” said Teri West, unit chair of the Jersey Journal Guild, said in a statement.
“I also hope that a show of support from the community will convince management to do the right thing and offer more significant wage increases than they have thus far.”
In a Twitter thread, the JJG indicated that they’ve been at the bargaining table for a new contract for nearly a year, also noting that the paper did not miss a single day of coverage throughout the pandemic.
“I have fallen in love with Jersey City since I started covering it for The Jersey Journal. It would be great to afford to live in the cities that we cover,” added JJ reporter and guild member Josh Rosario.
“I hope the support shown by the municipal council will guide the newspaper toward giving fair wages, benefits and worker protections to its award-winning staff.”
Solomon also expressed the importance of local press and optimism that the resolution would pass easily.
“Local media is our bedrock to uncover corruption and educate Jersey City’s residents about their government. Our city’s journalists should be fairly compensated. I am hopeful the resolution will pass and aid in achieving a fair contract.”
The JJ is owned by Advance Publications, which also owns NJ Advance Media. JJ Publisher David Blomquist did not return an email seeking comment.
The Jersey City Council holds their caucus meeting today at 4 p.m. and will vote on agenda items at their regular Wednesday meeting at 6 p.m.
Editor’s note: This reporter was an intern at The Jersey Journal between September 2011 and June 2012.
