Maine Trust for Local News workers launch union expansion effort

Key Takeaways:

• Staff at the Maine Trust for Local News filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board.
• The filing seeks to bring nearly 50 additional employees into the News Guild of Maine.
• The request targets the parent company of the Portland Press Herald and its sister newspapers.
• Workers aim to broaden union representation across multiple Maine newsrooms.

Petition Filed with NLRB
Employees of the Maine Trust for Local News took a formal step on Aug. 19, submitting paperwork to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The filing asks federal regulators to schedule a vote—or secure voluntary recognition—that would expand the existing News Guild of Maine bargaining unit.

What the Workers Want
“Staff have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board and are asking the parent company of the Press Herald and other newspapers to recognize nearly 50 additional employees as part of the News Guild of Maine,” the filing states. If approved, reporters, editors and additional newsroom staff would join colleagues already represented by the Guild.

The Papers at the Center
The petition focuses on the Portland Press Herald—Maine’s largest daily—and other publications owned by the same parent company. Together, these outlets operate under the Maine Trust for Local News, a network that covers much of the state’s local and regional reporting.

Inside the Union Effort
The News Guild of Maine already negotiates on behalf of certain employees. By adding almost 50 more staffers, organizers say they hope to strengthen collective bargaining on issues ranging from salaries to newsroom resources. Their request now awaits either company recognition or an NLRB-supervised election.

What Happens Next
Once the NLRB reviews the filing, it can set a date for a vote or encourage both sides to reach a voluntary agreement. Until then, the Maine Trust for Local News must decide whether to recognize the enlarged unit or contest the petition.

A Broader Push in Local Journalism
While each newsroom campaign is distinct, the Maine workers’ move echoes a wider trend of union activity across the U.S. local-news landscape—an effort aimed at securing a stronger voice for journalists working close to home.