This FlyteCo beer supports journalism, higher wages for Denver Post’s newsroom

This is a truth well beyond the walls of CBB: journalists are drinkers. Good ones, at least. The grind of following a beat, getting things right, later hours, speaking truth to power … it all can take a toll. Another reason: the pay sucks. Which is why we’re highlighting this collaboration beer from Denver Post’s newsroom guild and FlyteCo Brewing that’s raising awareness for the Post’s staff ask for higher (fair!) wages.

The Thirst Amendment collaboration seeks to raise awareness about the vital role local journalists play in their communities and rally support for the reporters, photographers and other staff at The Denver Post as they advocate for fair wages.

Newshounds and boozehounds can join newspaper personnel to raise a pint of The Thirst Amendment, a black IPA, a week prior to the guild’s next bargaining session on December 14, and show their support for local journalism at a release party on Dec. 8 at the brewery.

In May, representatives of both the newsroom and non-newsroom guild units started negotiating the terms of a new employment contract with corporate management, emphasizing the need for higher compensation. They have yet to reach an agreement on the issue of wages.

Since 2016, the last time the newsroom received across-the-board raises, the median price of a single-family home in Denver has risen 71 percent to $650,000, while the average rent for an apartment has increased 37 percent to $1,860. Add in inflation, rising health care costs and the lack of matching 401K contributions, and The Denver Post‘s journalists are falling even farther behind.

“In the eight years I’ve been at The Denver Post, our staff has covered wildfires across Colorado, gone to active crime scenes near our homes, inhaled tear gas, entered COVID wards and so much more. My colleagues’ dedication to covering this city and state has never waivered and it’s well past time for those efforts to be rewarded with raises that allow us to keep up with the cost of living here,” Joe Rubino, Denver Post reporter and chair of the newsroom bargaining unit, said. “We hope the community will come out and support us as we ask for a fair contract. And enjoy some great beer too.”

“Journalists play an invaluable role in our communities, and we wanted to collaborate with this bargaining collective to give them an even bigger platform in getting their message out,” said Morgan O’Sullivan, co-owner of FlyteCo Brewing. “This campaign goes beyond politics – these writers and photographers deserve to be fairly compensated in order to continue to tell the stories of Denver and beyond.”

Those looking to show their support of The Denver Post guild can also send an email to the newspaper’s management staff via the Action Network. If able, please consider subscribing to The Denver Post, as it shows the community values local journalists’ work.

The Denver Newspaper Guild Local 37074 is a union of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska newspaper employees, and employees working for unions and nonprofit organizations in the state. For more than 70 years the Guild has worked for equitable wages and benefits, fair working conditions, and a voice on the job for all. The Denver Post’s newsroom and non-newsroom units represent reporters, photographers, digital strategists, columnists, paper handlers, machinists, and advertising and circulation personnel, among other positions.

The Denver Newspaper Guild also includes The Pueblo Chieftain, The Casper Star-Tribune, The Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions, United for a New Economy (UNE), Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF), and Colorado Jobs with Justice (COJWJ).