As of this week, @Militarydotcom as we knew it is effectively dead. Talented journalists and other guild members were fired Wednesday evening, and others have been pushed out. Several who are gone are veterans. (1/4)

My former newsroom has been gutted of almost everyone who was responsible for the many years of amazing journalism by its new owners, Valnet. @Militarydotcom now features stories written by inexperienced contractors hired by management and without union input.

It’s a shame what is happening at @Militarydotcom - one less watchdog at a moment when it’s profoundly needed.

This vastly reduces an important voice, watchdog and resource in the military journalism world.

We stand with our brothers and sisters at @MilNewsGuild and @SightlineUnion under attack by union-busting management. Owners of these institutions of D.C. defense journalism should be respecting these hardworking men and women, not degrading their work and livelihoods. ✊

Our union sends support and solidarity to our friends and colleagues at @MilNewsGuild. @Militarydotcom's new owners gutted the newsroom (some journalists were fired without any severance) and we are outraged for them. We condemn this flagrant union busting; it won't be forgotten.

..to the best of their ability and whom, despite Valnet's union-busting efforts, are still part of the bargaining unit. The guild has not made unreasonable demands. We simply want to meet with management and work toward a fair labor agreement. We remain ready and willing to talk.

...and whom the existing staff were not informed were being hired. The articles make clear https://t.co/ECBchchmYP is moving away from hard news. There remains a small contingent of dedicated staff continuing to work... (3/4)

The team that made https://t.co/ECBchchmYP the leading source of news on the military and veterans community is demolished. Meanwhile, Valnet, the new Canadian ownership, has begun to publish articles by freelancers who have little-to-no journalism experience... (2/4)

Newsroom management/editors are not involved with current hiring initiatives. Instead, it's the corporate level which is very abnormal for this business.

Valnet, a Canadian media firm, has a long track record of gutting organizations it absorbs. The company's reputation is such that it had to stand up a new organization - Iron Corp - for @Militarydotcom to fall under, but it's the same people, same tactics.

.@Militarydotcom's new corporate owners are in the midst of an aggressive union busting campaign, seeking out cheap contract work for click bait slop to replace the aggressive watchdog journalism that troops, veterans and their families are entitled to.

Valnet's sister company Iron Corp is attempting to recruit new employees for @Militarydotcom in an effort seemingly aimed to union bust. We hope to work with them so new roles are publicly listed with salary rates and union membership disclosed as typically required.

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We are happy to report Iron Corp, an offshoot of Valnet, has retracted its demand employees sign imposing contracts which could have had a severe affect on their ability to work. We look forward to working with the company on fair labor relations.

Concerning:

Solidarity to @MilNewsGuild and all the journalists that provide some of the best mil news in the business

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.@Militarydotcom was recently purchased by Valnet. Immediately after the purchase, Iron Corp - a subsidiary - has demanded employees sign contracts which reduced benefits and set up non-compete clauses which employees may struggle to continue working in journalism.

The team at @militarydotcom has done amazing work in covering the troops and the military — and they’re one of the few remaining outlets that cater largely to that audience. However, they are now facing an uncertain future at the hands of new ownership.