(HOUSTON, TEXAS) - An overwhelming majority of eligible Employees at the non-profit publication Houston Landing have formed a Union to advocate for stronger job protections and a seat at the table in organization-wide decisions.

For the last eight months, The Landing’s Journalists and Staff have worked together to publish numerous community-centered stories that have deepened Houstonians’ understanding of their community.  They are proud to have met and even exceeded company targets for impact, page views and engagement time, among others, just months after launch.

However, management’s shock decision to terminate The Landing’s founding Editor-in-Chief and sole Investigative Reporter in January as part of an ill-defined and sudden “company reset” exposed the few protections Landing Employees actually have.

Organizers notified management of their intent to Unionize six weeks to the day of the firings.

Employees are petitioning Houston Landing’s CEO and Board of Directors to voluntarily recognize their Union.  

This comes after 75% of eligible Staffers signed Union Authorization Cards, signaling their desire for representation by the Houston Landing News Guild.

Part of the Media Guild of the West and The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America (CWA), the Houston Landing News Guild will represent 21 eligible Staff Members, including Reporters, Photographers and Designers, among others.

In its mission statement, the Union promised to advocate for fair working conditions, including protections against disciplinary action without just cause and due process.

Landing Web Designer Emily Datsko supports forming a Union because she believes Workers “have a right to protect themselves in an industry full of constant uncertainty and change.”

Maggie Gordon, former Columnist and now Senior Storyteller at The Landing, said the publication’s mission is to improve the lives of all Houstonians.

“In order to live this mission, it’s important that we practice what we preach,” she said. “This means The Landing must build a safe and equitable newsroom that treats its Employees with respect, and empowers them to do their best work for our City and our readers.”

To Directly Access This Organizing Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Houston Landing employees form union after editor, star reporter fired | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA