RadicalMedia Unionizes with the Writers Guild of America East
NEW YORK (October 23, 2024) – Workers in RadicalMedia’s nonfiction “Entertainment” group unionized with the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) for the purpose of collective bargaining.
An overwhelming majority of RadicalMedia’s 65-member bargaining unit signed union cards and called on management to voluntarily recognize the union.
RadicalMedia is the production company behind popular nonfiction titles like SUMMER OF SOUL, WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE?, LIL NAS X: LONG LIVE MONTERO, HAMILTON – THE BROADWAY FILM, CONVERSATIONS WITH A KILLER and JEFFREY EPSTEIN: FILTHY RICH.
The unionization of Radical Media comes right on the heels of workers at A+E Factual Studios organizing with the WGAE.
“Management at RadicalMedia must respect their workers and recognize their union without delay or interference,” said Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America East. “Nonfiction television and film workers deserve contracts worthy of their hard work and the enormous value they bring to their sector of the entertainment industry.”
The RadicalMedia Union explained their reasons for unionizing in the following “Why We’re Organizing” letter:
We, the dedicated and talented team at RadicalMedia, are thrilled to announce that after careful consideration and numerous democratic discussions, we have formed a union with the Writers Guild of America, East. This decision reflects our collective commitment to fostering a collaborative, equitable, and respectful work environment that aligns with RadicalMedia’s core values and aspirations: using storytelling in radical new ways to create a more fair and equitable world.
Our decision to form a union should not be seen as an expression of dissatisfaction, but a testament to our shared vision for a brighter future both at RadicalMedia and across the genre of nonfiction film and television. We stand in solidarity with our fellow nonfiction creative professionals who have bravely organized their production companies – most recently McGee Media, Jigsaw, BSTV, and Story Syndicate. Together, we understand that organizing is the most effective tool we have for transforming this complex industry.
We know that by joining together as a union, we can best achieve the following objectives:
- Collective Bargaining: We aim to establish a platform for negotiating equitable employment terms, including fair compensation, reasonable working hours, and comprehensive benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and parental leave.
- Job Security: The “permanent freelance” nature of this industry makes job stability a top concern. We look forward to working collaboratively to codify protections against unexpected layoffs, dark weeks, and furloughs.
- Transparent Communication & Fair Treatment: Effective communication is the lifeblood of any strong organization. By forming a union, we aim to create pathways for open and honest dialogue with management, allowing us to address concerns constructively and cultivate a more inclusive and fair workplace culture.
- Professional Growth: We believe that WGAE can help us access opportunities for professional development that will aid in career growth, further enhancing our ability to contribute to the company’s success and reinforcing our competitive edge in the industry.
We see our decision to unionize as an affirmative step toward strengthening our existing relationship with members of management in cooperative and mutually beneficial ways. It is also an opportunity for us to work together more effectively, ensuring a prosperous future for our team and RadicalMedia as a whole. We strongly believe in the messages at the heart of the stories we tell – of triumphs in the face of adversity and oppression – and we want RadicalMedia to be a place that allows us to flourish, so we can maximize the impact of this important work.
Our commitment to creating a union that nurtures transparency, respect, and fairness is unwavering. We look forward to working together to create a more vibrant and inclusive workplace.
In addition to RadicalMedia, the WGAE includes members at Nonfiction production companies A+E Factual Studios, BSTV Entertainment, Jigsaw, Lion, NBC News Service (f.k.a. Peacock), McGee Media, Sharp, Story Syndicate and Vox Entertainment.
ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST
The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union of more than 7,500 members working 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.
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