Organizing Update

Medium

Workers at Medium, including those in the engineering, editorial, design, and product departments, announced today that they are organizing to join CWA Local 9410 as part of the CODE-CWA (Campaign to Organize Digital Employees) initiative. The workers are calling for management to voluntarily recognize the union and commit to participating in a good faith relationship with the unit.

"We care about each other, we care about our work, and we care how our work impacts the Medium community. Together in our union, we can ensure Medium is a force for good, inside and out," said Lyra Naeseth, an engineer for Medium's Creator Platform Group.

"I joined our union because I really love working at Medium, and want to make sure that its workers have a seat at the table in decision making as the company continues to grow. I think Medium needs our union because all workplaces who value their teams need a union. A more democratic style of company benefits us all. I want our union to establish stronger baseline protections for workers," said Peter Slattery, an audience development editor at Medium.

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Daily Kos

On Monday, employees at the progressive news site Daily Kos announced the creation of the Daily Kos Guild, with the organization's management agreeing to voluntarily recognize their union. They will join the Pacific Media Workers Guild/CWA Local 39521.

In recent years, the digital progressive media and activism hub, which reaches over 18 million readers per month, has grown to more than 80 staffers across the country.

"Daily Kos, as a progressive organization, touts the ideals of labor rights and worker power, and we strongly agree," said Guild member Ntebo Mokuena. "But we believe these values can and should be better reflected and infused into every part of the work we do. During these difficult times, and as we look towards the future, we must ensure that our work remains sustainable and puts workers first."

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New Jersey Media

Journalists at three Gannett-owned New Jersey publications – the Record (Bergen), the Daily Record and the New Jersey Herald – announced that they are joining the NewsGuild of New York/TNG-CWA Local 31003 on Wednesday. With nearly 90% of eligible staffers signed on, the Record Guild has requested voluntary recognition from management.

"The three papers represented by the members of our union have provided local news to northern New Jersey for more than 100 years," said Terrence T. McDonald, reporter with the Record. "In fewer than five years, Gannett has turned each into a shadow of their former selves. We organized to bring more power to the writers, photographers, and web producers who are dedicated to providing our communities with the journalism they deserve."

Jessie Gomez, a reporter at the Daily Record, said, "Journalists are never the story, but as we continue to see layoffs, poor healthcare benefits, and unequal pay, we can no longer stay silent. My colleagues, along with the communities we serve, are suffering. As a young Latina, I'm invested in North Jersey's diverse communities and after a year of racial reckoning, it's time we hold our leaders to their pledges for diversity and fair treatment of all. That starts with our newsroom."

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New York Daily News

The editorial staffers of the New York Daily News announced Friday that they are organizing with the NewsGuild of New York/TNG-CWA Local 31003. More than 80% of eligible staff are standing together to request voluntary recognition from Tribune Publishing, the News’ parent company.

"For 101 years, the Daily News has served as the watchdog and storyteller of New York City. Now, during a particularly precarious moment for media professionals and local news outlets, the editorial workers of The News seek job security, fair compensation, and a more diverse and inclusive newsroom that reflects the city's dynamic population," the workers said in a statement.