HuffPost Union Delivers Strike Pledge to Management at HuffPost and Buzzfeed
NEW YORK, NY (January 30, 2023) – After months of bargaining with HuffPost and its parent company BuzzFeed, Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) members at HuffPost vowed to strike if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached before the current contract expires tomorrow, January 31, at midnight.
With two days of bargaining left, 98% of the 91-member HuffPost Union signed on to a strike pledge, committing to strike if a fair agreement is not reached. The union has negotiations with HuffPost and Buzzfeed scheduled for today, January 30, and tomorrow, January 31.
The strike pledge, which was delivered to management at today’s bargaining session, reads, “We, the members of the HuffPost Union, are committed to a collective bargaining agreement that reflects the realities of the economy, our changing industry, and the issues most important to our unit. This means competitive compensation, annual wage increases that keep up with the cost of living, fair severance, a secure financial future, health and safety provisions that acknowledge COVID-19 is still a work hazard, a real path to career growth, and a slate of benefits and company policies that match HuffPost’s stated interest in worker well-being, health and safety. We will not accept any collective bargaining agreement without these guarantees. We are prepared to strike.”
In a statement, the HuffPost Union added, “This entire negotiation has been marked by a lack of preparedness and urgency on the side of management. With many unresolved issues and a looming contract expiration, we were disappointed that management offered no economic counter proposals on Friday. Their most recent economic proposal would result in lower yearly wage increases for about 90% of our members at a time of high inflation. This is not a serious proposal and is not acceptable to our members. We hope this strike pledge shows management that we are united in our pursuit of a fair contract.”
Lowell Peterson, Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America, East, said, “Our goal is a collective bargaining agreement that recognizes the value of the work our members do at HuffPost, and we are willing to fight for it.”
ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST
The Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing writers in film, television, news, podcasts, and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, East, visit wgaeast.org.
###