The management of Tribune Publishing, owner of the Hartford Courant, has agreed to recognize the Hartford Courant Guild representing the newspaper’s employees, a union spokesperson said.

Kathleen McWilliams, a Courant reporter, said the company made its announcement Friday evening.

Hartford Courant Guild organizing committee released a statement lauding the management decision.

“We look forward to building a more productive and collaborative relationship with the company as we join the conversation shaping the future of the Hartford Courant. We fight for improved resources and support so we can continue to serve our readers to the best of our abilities.”

Courant workers on Monday asked the ownership to voluntarily recognize the guild without a vote of the employees.

McWilliams said support for the union has increased since the organizing began Monday. Initially 77 percent of the workers were in support of collective bargaining, and by the Friday announcement fully 83 percent of eligible workers had signed cards in support, she said.

McWilliams has said the newspaper has lost half its staff since 2011 through layoffs, buyouts and attrition.

The Chicago-based Tribune Publishing has not yet commented on the announcement.

The NewsGuild represents employees at the Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, Capital Gazette, Carroll County Times, Virginia-Pilot and Daily Press — all Tribune Publishing-owned newspapers.

The Hartford Courant Guild will be affiliated with the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America.

Locally, workers at the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Amherst Bulletin and the Valley Advocate voted to join the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America in December.