Chicago Reader Union

ALT Philip Montoro, music editor for the Chicago Reader and chair of the paper’s editorial union, strongly supports the WRA and especially likes that it would prevent “boss-friendly” right-to-work laws in Illinois. “When capital is given the option, it will always seek the market where it can exploit labor most ruthlessly, which kicks off a race to the bottom that hurts everyone but the owners. I’d be happy to see that option taken away,” he said. The Reader’s union, which is part of TNG-CWA Local 34071 (The News Guild-Communication Workers of America), played a major role in saving the paper from financial ruin this year. When former owner Len Goodman tried to prevent the paper from transitioning to a nonprofit, which threatened bankruptcy, the union and its supporters fought back publicly and pressured Goodman to step down from the board. Since the Chicago Reader is a nonprofit, it can require that all editorial staff be in the union and pay dues. Besides helping the Reader transition

ALT Sankey chart showing donations from Riot Fest, its president Michael Petryshyn, and event services vendors to 12 PAC, Citizens for Alderman Michael Scott Jr., Friends of Cardenas, the Chicago Latino Public Affairs Committee, and 24th Ward Democrats.

ALT Woodcut by Ricardo Levins-Morales depicting workers in the service industry, trades, manufacturing, and other jobs, with the caption "Our labor creates all wealth"

ALT Publisher’s note, June 27, 2022: Because the below column deals with a public health issue, we realize it should have been more rigorously edited by the Reader before publication. We apologize that it was not. We encourage readers interested in the topic of COVID-19 treatment and vaccinations to use these links to current information and guidance: on ivermectin, on vaccines and children’s immune development, and on COVID-19 vaccines for children.