Open letter to the regional publisher
The Timesland News Guild executive committee sent the below letter today to publisher Andy Bruns offering assistance as he develops a revenue strategy for Southwest Virginia’s premiere daily news operation.
May 20, 2020
Andy Bruns, publisher
The Roanoke Times
201 Campbell Ave. SW
Roanoke, VA 24011
Timesland News Guild
The Roanoke Times
201 Campbell Ave. SW
Roanoke, VA 24011
Dear Andy,
Welcome to The Roanoke Times, Southwest Virginia’s premiere daily newspaper for the past 134 years.
We are the executive committee of the Timesland News Guild, and we look forward to working with you in the coming months to rebuild this once-great institution. We believe strongly that the newspaper must continue to hold the powerful accountable, shine sunlight into the dark corners of our communities and uphold the democratic principles of a free society.
As you know, 94% of newsroom staff at The Roanoke Times and Laker Weekly voted in April to unionize as the Timesland News Guild. Today we are a proud unit of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035 of The NewsGuild, a sector of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and we are here to take a seat at the table with Lee Enterprises.
Amid a pandemic that has further eroded the industry’s business model, we believe providing reliable, local news is more vital than ever. To keep, train, and grow our workforce is a priority.
Please feel free to ask questions. Our membership has decades of experience, relationships and knowledge. We know the region, know the readers, know the economy, know the industry and can help you build a revenue strategy that works. After all, when the company thrives, we thrive.
Our task is big, and it’s urgent. We want to get to work building the digital and print newsroom of the future that will sustain regional news coverage for another 134 years. We hope you will partner with us to achieve it.
Respectfully,
Tonia Moxley, chair
Tad Dickens, vice chair for mobilization
Amy Friedenberger, vice chair for contracts
Henri Gendreau, vice chair for communications
Alison Graham, vice chair for mobilization
Alicia Petska, secretary
Stephanie Sheehan, vice chair for digital
