Unfair labor case filed against News-Press

Maybe there will be justice at the Santa Barbara News-Press after all. An unfair labor practice charge has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board. The filing centers on allegations that the newspaper's management engaged in coercive and intimidating tactics related to a unionizing effort. Among the claims: that the newspaper changed reporters' beat assignments without properly notifying them; and that a reporter who became a leader in the unionizing effort was intimidated with a disciplinary interview. The paper described the charges as "ridiculous," but an NLRB inquiry can be a major hassle for any employer - much less one that's been in the headlines. The agency will also determine if employees want to be represented by a union.