D&C journalists participate in walkout on Parcel 5

ROCHESTER, N.Y. Journalists from the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper in Rochester walked off the job during a one-day strike on Friday.

They gathered at Parcel 5 downtown, right next to their building. It’s part of a national demonstration by employees of the Gannett Media Company, which owns the D&C. Union leaders say the strike is to protest a lack of movement on labor negotiations for a new contract.

“We’re here today because we’ve been without a contract for three and a half years,” said Justin Murphy, D&C reporter and co-chair of the Newspaper Guild of Rochester. “We’ve been attempting to bargain for one and have made very little progress. We’re asking Gannett at the bargaining table and here today for fair pay and benefits.”

In a statement, Gannett told News10NBC “We continue to bargain in good faith to finalize contracts that provide equitable wages and benefits for our valued employees.”