“In the midst of some crazy sitcom”: A case study of journalist union representatives’ work during disruptive change

While there is a growing literature on disruptive digital innovation and change in media organizations and the effects on both journalism and journalists, little is known about journalist unions as key actors in processes of disruptive change: how they perceive challenges and the strategic choices they make. The aim of this paper is to advance the understanding of journalist union representatives’ work during disruptive change in local news media. The study draws from interviews with union representatives at the Swedish news media group Mittmedia , analyzed from the perspective of strategy-as-practice (SAP). The findings suggest that the double roles of a journalist union, as a trade union and a professional organization, provide a parallel set of arguments in the negotiations, but that when the pace of investments in digital innovation, transformation of work processes, cutbacks, and layoffs is forced and constantly ongoing, relying on existing practices and strategies is not enough when trying to protect the members’ interests. When external conflicts are constant there is also a risk of internal conflicts.