The Guild’s mission is:

"To Advance the economic interests and to improve the working conditions of its members; Guarantee, as far as it is able, equal employment and advancement opportunity in the newspaper industry and constant honesty in news, editorials, advertising, and business practices; Raise the standards of journalism and ethics of the industry; Foster friendly cooperation with all other workers; Promote industrial unionism in the jurisdiction of the Guild."
 

In 1997, the Guild became part of the Communication Workers of America, a union representing about 600,000 people in the communications/media and information technology industries.