Union Vox Media has taken the next step towards a possible strike against management as the group’s current contract expires and negotiations continue on a new deal.
The governing body of the Writers Guild of America, which includes about 350 editorial and video editors from publishers The Verge, Polygon and Eater, voted unanimously on Wednesday to allow company members to go on strike on June 13. . , As soon as the first syndicate contract expires.
This action does not lead to a strike, but offers union leadership approval for the strike if company members decide to authorize and then carry it out. The union announced on June 1. 95 percent of members He signed a pledge to strike; According to the union, the following members will participate in the strike authorization vote, which will take place in the coming days. If a majority of members vote to strike, a strike can be called, and division members will determine when and if it will take place.
“The Writers Guild of America takes the power of the strike very seriously. “Almost all of us are stressed about losing our jobs,” said Michael Winship, president of WGA East. “But we also understand the issues our members are fighting over at the bargaining table, from fair wages to preserving equity language in the case of worker sales. Therefore, we unanimously vote to strike if the company does not accept a contract shortly before 00:00 ET on June 13.
A spokesperson for Vox Media said in a statement: “We are actively involved in the negotiations and during negotiations scheduled for most days before the contract expires, we hope to reach a resolution at the table that we are all proud of.” .”
The current round of negotiations for the Union’s next contract has been ongoing since January 2022, and four more negotiations are planned between the parties. Union member Monica Chin, lead commentator for The Verge, said the union’s current priorities in negotiations are to ensure a “stable and satisfying long-term career” for members. The union advocates guaranteed growth and benefits that cover inflation, contractual language that protects union benefits if the company is sold or merged, “when it comes to diversity, capital and inclusion,” Chin said.
On social media, in an Action Network letter and story ✓ New York TimesThe unionists also suggest that in this round of negotiations, the union supports the restoration of the minimum wage provided for in the contract, which was not foreseen in 2020 (said a spokesperson for Vox Media). Schedules That the entire company left without an annual salary increase in 2020).
Vox Media Union (which does not include employees of Vox Media New York The magazine, which the company acquired in fall 2019, was voluntarily recognized by management in early 2018. It took 14 months of negotiations to reach the first deal, which called for a full-time launch of $56,000 a year. Employees and annual increase of 2.75 to 3.5 percent, depending on the employee’s annual income, during the term of the contract.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
