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Fired Sun-Times photographers picket outside paper

Posted June 06, 2013 12:06 pm

Associated Press

John H. White, second from left, who won a Pulitzer in 1982, and other former Sun-Times photographers high-five after about 150 supporters marched in front of the Chicago Sun-Times building in Chicago Thursday. The rally was organized by the Chicago Newspaper Guild in response to the paper cutting its photography staff. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com

Former Chicago Sun-Times photographers and supporters protested outside the newspaper’s headquarters Thursday against layoffs of virtually all of the full-time photography staff.

About 100 people chanted and carried signs that read “Save the photogs.” Some Sun-Times reporters also joined the protest, as did Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis.

The newspaper fired all 28 full-time photographers last week, saying it was shifting toward more online video. Spokesmen say the Sun-Times now will rely on freelancers and reporters for pictures and video.

The layoffs included photographers and editors at the Sun-Times’ sister publications in the suburbs. Besides the Chicago Sun-Times, Sun-Times Media includes Pioneer Press, the Aurora Beacon-News, Naperville Sun, Elgin Courier-News, Joliet Herald-News, Lake County News-Sun, Post-Tribune and the Daily SouthtownStar.

The Chicago Newspaper Guild is asking the National Labor Relations Board to rule that the Sun-Times bargained in bad faith. Guild Executive Director Craig Rosenbaum says the company told the union during contract negotiations that no photographer layoffs were planned.

Former Sun-Times photographer John H. White, right, gets a hug from photographer Rich Chapman as about 150 rally in front of the Chicago Sun-Times building in support of the 28 laid-off photographers from the Sun-Times and its suburban newspapers. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com

About 150 people rally in front of the Chicago Sun-Times building in Chicago Thursday in support of the newspapers laid-off photography staff. The rally was organized by the Chicago Newspaper Guild. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis speaks at a Save the Photographers rally Thursday in Chicago. The rally was organized by the Chicago Newspaper Guild to protest the Chicago Sun-Times decision to lay off 28 photographers from its city and suburban newspapers. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com

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