Vox media syndicate members confirm new contract after coup threat

Vox Media’s editorial and video staff have absolutely ratified a new three-year union contract, the Eastern American Writers Guild said Thursday.

Three hundred and forty employees of the 360-plus-member trading division voted in favor of Vox Media Union’s second-floor deal, while one employee rejected the proposed deal. Ninety-five percent of the settlements division, which includes publications such as Polygon and Eater, voted in favor of a deal that would provide a higher base salary for the lowest-paid union members and an annual salary increase, language changes and new. Improved release pack.

“After six months of negotiations, we are excited to ratify our second collective agreement, which we believe is a truly industry-leading agreement that offers a lot to our members,” Vox Media said in a statement. “This contract would not have been possible without the incredible solidarity we saw from over 360 of our members who had management on fire and ready to strike on June 13 if we didn’t reach an agreement. We often hear from members that the union forced them to work for Vox Media and we are very proud of this contract which has provided the salary increases and benefits that all our members deserve.

According to the union, the current salary for the company’s lowest unpaid employees is $53,000 per year up to $65,000 (excluding overtime) at the end of a three-year contract, while the minimum wage is for the wage. Employees will increase to $66,000. Effective July 1, employees will receive a new minimum rate for work level if they earn less than that minimum or a 4% raise if they earn less than $100,000 per year and 3% if they earn more than $100,000 a year. 100,000, 100,000 a year. Employees will also receive an annual minimum wage of 3.25% (for those earning less than $100,000 a year) and 2.75% (for those earning more than $100,000) in post-employment years.

Other benefits include 20 weeks of paid parental leave, an extension of circumstances that may result in condolence leave, a Saturday language contract, and a minimum 12-week termination package. The contract prohibits the use of contracts in case of harassment or discrimination. Sell ​​or merge and put Vox Media on track to “create critical health policy that includes guaranteed access to abortion and sex reassignment, regardless of where members of the United States live.” Vox Media Union wrote on Twitter Thursday. The union says the contract also states that if an employee receives an average salary 15% less for a role played in the publication, Vox Media will initiate an investigation.

There are also some changes aimed at preventing burnout: part-time employees will be able to save paid time as part of a new contract, and the contract sets the workweek at 40 hours and also sets a minimum 10-hour workday between jobs. . days. Additionally, “As part of our unlimited PTO policy, our contract states that we are required to take at least 20 days off per year,” writes Vox Media Union.

The likely deal on the new contract was closed on Sunday, June 11, before the union’s first contract expired. The union began threatening to go on strike if an agreement was not reached on Monday, June 13, at 12:00 p.m., p. He expired.

In a statement, WGA East CEO Lowell Peterson said: “The entire union sympathized with our Vox members who were willing to show their commitment to making real profits. This agreement confirms the strength of collective action.”