Union Supports Standard General Buying Tegna *

The proposed merger between media companies Standard General and Tegna has faced opposition from powerful unions, but one local chapter of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IOUE) is in favor of the transaction. Edward Curly, business manager of Local 501 of the IOUE, has written a letter to the Federal Communications Commission expressing support for the merger.

Curly noted that Standard General and managing partner Soo Kim have been supporters of organized labor and have had good relationships with unions. He also expects the merged companies to continue this cooperative approach with organized labor. Standard Media CEO Deb McDermott has said that the company has no plans to reduce station-level or news staffing after the merger.

The proposed $8.6 billion deal, which includes the assumption of $3.2 billion in debt, has faced opposition from The NewsGuild-CWA and the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET)-CWA, which have filed petitions to deny the merger. The FCC's Media Bureau has designated the merger for a hearing before an administrative law judge to address concerns over potential job losses and their impact on local news and information.

While the fate of the merger remains uncertain, the support from Local 501 of the IOUE highlights the complex and often contentious issues surrounding mergers and acquisitions in the media industry. Organized labor plays a crucial role in protecting the rights and interests of workers, but it can also be a hurdle for companies looking to merge or expand their operations. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it will be important for companies to navigate these challenges while balancing the needs of their employees and the broader public interest.