Evansville journalists, part of the Indianapolis Newspaper Guild Local 34070, have unanimously ratified their first contract with the Courier & Press, a Gannett newspaper. This follows similar agreements for Gannett units in Florida, with the unit being certified in February 2024 after a unanimous vote.
The two-year contract outlines starting salaries of $45,000 for new employees, which will increase to $50,000 after five years and $58,000 after ten years. A $1 per hour raise is included for anyone who does not reach the specified minimum during the second year. All six employees will receive adjustments to meet these minimums in the first year.
Photojournalist MaCabe Brown commented, “The wage increases are a big win for our newsroom as we continue to commit ourselves to serving the Evansville community with award-winning journalism.”
Additionally, the contract includes provisions related to artificial intelligence, preventing members from being replaced by AI and ensuring Gannett complies with its existing AI policy.
Government reporter Sarah Loesch stated, “This contract is an important step in keeping local journalism alive at the Courier & Press. Each member of our editorial staff is better equipped to tell local stories each day with safeguards now legally protected.”
Loesch also expressed the hope that current staff members can share the increased salary minimums with new hires to enhance coverage of the Evansville community.
This development marks the latest in a series of first contracts with new Gannett units over the past two years. The terms of the Evansville contract resemble those reached last year with two units in Palm Beach and another in Southwest Florida, covering the Naples and Fort Myers newsrooms. Other recent first contracts at Gannett newsrooms include locations in Phoenix, Austin, Palm Springs, as well as several units in New York and New Jersey.
