Blade employees are fighting back against what they say are unethical, union busting practices by their parent company, Block communications, and the local family that runs it, the Blocks. During a Blade Guild union meeting held earlier this week, employees met with fellow journalists and members of the community to discuss ways they could potentially put an end to years of divestment and unethical practices.
Sarah Elms, a political reporter with The Blade, says that the Blocks have spent a significant amount of money to pay Tennessee-based lawyer Richard Lowe to negotiate on their behalf, rather than investing those funds into the significantly short-staffed paper.
Employees say their focus is local, and mission, remains the same: to provide ethical, in-depth coverage to Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, but they say it’s crucial to shine a light on the lack of support from Block Communications and the Block family.