RACINE, Wis. — The Kenosha-Racine News Guild is publicly accusing Lee Enterprises of refusing to agree to what it calls a livable wage for reporters at the Kenosha News and Racine Journal Times after six months of contract negotiations.
In a public statement circulating online this week, the union detailed what it described as severe financial struggles facing local journalists, including reporters delaying turning on their heat during winter months, relying on parents for grocery money, driving damaged vehicles, and working second jobs to survive.
The Guild said Lee Enterprises has “not demonstrated meaningful movement toward fair pay” despite months of bargaining.
According to the statement, reporters currently earn about $20.55 per hour on average across the two newspapers. The Guild cited an MIT living wage calculation estimating a single adult with no children needs to earn approximately $21.24 per hour in Racine County and $23.35 per hour in Kenosha County to meet basic living expenses.
Several reporters were quoted by name in the release.
Kenosha business reporter Rose Androwich said she and Racine sports reporter Mitch Fink waited until temperatures dropped into the 20s and 30s before turning on their apartment heat in an effort to save money.
“My mom texted me and told me I had to turn on the heat or else I would freeze,” Androwich said.
The Guild also claimed everyday car repairs have become major financial burdens for staff members. The release stated one reporter’s grocery budget was reduced for six weeks after getting a nail in a tire, while another reporter allegedly drives a totaled vehicle because they cannot afford to replace it.
Androwich said she worried about whether she could afford a windshield repair that exceeded $400.
“I would barely be able to afford it,” she said. “Would I have to ask my parents for money, just to afford groceries?”
Racine education reporter Ryan Patterson said unexpected expenses leave him struggling financially.
“My personal finances are a constant source of stress and anxiety,” Patterson said. “I worry about what would happen if I had a medical emergency or car accident.”
The release also stated Racine government reporter Holly Gilvary commutes roughly 40 minutes from another county because she cannot afford rent in Racine County on her current salary. The Guild said Gilvary works weekends waiting tables at a restaurant for additional income, while Patterson reportedly has worked for Instacart.
Patterson stated that money left to him by a deceased relative has helped him avoid taking on another job.
“If my grandmother hadn’t died, I’d be working a second job to make ends meet,” Patterson said.
The union argued that local journalism provides an important public service and warned that financial instability among reporters harms the communities they cover.
Lee Enterprises had not publicly responded to the Guild’s latest statement as of Wednesday night.
