Susan Christian Goulding: Why we need a union

It’s a gift, an honor and a miracle to land a long career in journalism. I love working at the Orange County Register. Every day and every story is exciting, educational and rewarding. When I came on board just six years ago, the newsroom teemed with reporters covering dozens of beats and communities. Of course, the numbers have dwindled, but my colleagues have worked all the harder to produce important and meaningful stories. We are thankful that the management team has kept the paper afloat — meanwhile, keeping us employed. As we move forward, we need to find ways to shore up morale and ensure equity by boosting the salaries of our newer, underpaid reporters and giving overdue raises to the paper’s longtime journalists. Smaller measures, too, would be met with appreciation. As an example, many of us were forced to cancel our out-of-town vacations during the pandemic — yet because our vacation time freezes, we must use or lose those days.  

Susan Christian Goulding is a reporter for the Orange County Register/SCNG.