Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
StoryCorps Unlawfully Retaliates Against Union Members with Layoffs
NEW YORK – Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union are demanding that StoryCorps stop its unlawful retaliation against CWA Local 1180 members and reinstate employees who were laid off in retaliation for engaging in union activity.
On October 22, StoryCorps announced layoffs of five union members without prior notice to the union, bypassing the notice period in the contract StoryCorps signed with CWA Local 1180. In a clear act of retaliation against an employee for protected union activity, management targeted a shop steward, citing “performance” as the reason for their selection. The union steward is the most senior person in their department and has a stellar performance record, no disciplinary marks, and years of dedicated service and contributions to StoryCorps’ mission. The steward has been an outspoken advocate for improving working conditions at StoryCorps for years.
Other laid-off employees had recently filed grievances concerning discrimination in the workplace and being denied a contractual cost of living increase.
“StoryCorps has disgraced itself by retaliating against loyal staff who have exercised their right to join together to improve their jobs,” said Shop Steward Ian Gonzalez. “Rather than engaging with their union employees in good faith, StoryCorps Management stonewalled, refused to provide requested information, and hurled insults at the bargaining representatives. This is unacceptable; we won't stand for this treatment of our membership and our union.”
Union members across the country have taken action on behalf of the laid-off StoryCorps members, sending messages to StoryCorps leadership to demand an end to the retaliation and good faith bargaining in adherence to the union contract. Staff unions at national nonprofits, including the National Audubon Society and the Trevor Project, have joined the effort.
###
About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.