By Kenneth Lipp
The union representing the majority of the employees of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and website hosting content from both, Philly.com, have voted in favor of a strike if their terms are not met under a new contract agreement, reports Philly Voice:
The vote by members of the the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia was 263-19 in the main unit and 24-7 in the Philly.com unit to authorize union management to plan for a strike by the company’s 445 employees, the newspaper reported. The voting was held at the Loews Hotel in Center City.
The two main issues under dispute are seniority – guild members want a “last to come, first to leave” policy in the event of layoffs – and a decision by the Philadelphia Media Network, the three outlets’ parent company, to end contributions to employee healthcare plans, possibly sticking local media workers with thousands to tens-of-thousands in additional yearly living expense.
Joel Mathis at PhillyMag drew my attention to a video starring Daily News copy editor Elizabeth Slocumb, with a plea to management:
“I have two passions in life, and they’re my family, and journalism. Please don’t make me give that up.”
The Philly Declaration 
