Associated Press writers are stepping up their fight for affordable healthcare benefits and fair contracts by omitting bylines from their articles Thursday.
Members of the News Media Guild are taking action against the AP's new health care proposals that the Guild says are largely unaffordable to most staffers.
.@AP staffers withholding bylines today. AP, your dedicated staff deserves fair compensation for our excellent work. #fairAPcontract
— Barbara Rodriguez (@bcrodriguez) January 30, 2014
AP reporter Norma Love said that the company's new health plan is so strict that AP has instated a "forced transfer or be fired" policy.
Hoping AP drops forced transfer or be fired push, softens deep health care cost shift to staff as bargaining resumes. #fairAPcontract
— Norma Love (@APnlove) December 11, 2013
The hashtag #FairAPContract has spread across Twitter as journalists demand fair compensation and benefits.
No bylines on your AP stories today? We're fighting for a fair contract. #fairAPcontract
— Tammy Webber (@twebber02) January 30, 2014
Something will be absent from many @AP stories today, including mine, #fairAPcontract
— seth borenstein (@borenbears) January 30, 2014
Withholding byline in solidarity with AP staff struggling to win fair contract that doesn't shift $Ms in health care costs #fairAPcontract
— Norma Love (@APnlove) January 30, 2014
It's 6 a.m. & I'm already hard at work for @AP. But they want to keep gutting staff & taking money out of my pocket. #fairAPcontract
— Kristi Eaton (@KristiEaton) January 30, 2014
.@AP: Your dedicated staff deserves fair compensation. We’ve already given up plenty. #fairAPcontract
— ConnieCassO'Connell (@ConnieCass) January 30, 2014
@AP You're nothing without your dedicated reporters and photographers. #FairAPContract
— Dennistastic (@den_down_unda) January 30, 2014
Here is what we want: Affordable health benefits, some measure of job security and a #fairAPcontract
— Nigel, from the Lügenpresse (@nigelduara) December 10, 2013
UPDATE: AP's director of media relations Paul Colford commented on the story to the Huffington Post in an email:
"The withholding of bylines today has been permissible under AP’s contract with the News Media Guild, as negotiations toward a new agreement continue."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.