Candidate for Council, Online Media Sector
I’m Jessica Schulberg, a senior reporter at HuffPost and I’m running for reelection to represent online media on the WGAE Council. I’m a shop steward at HuffPost Union, where I’ve helped negotiate two contracts and served on our diversity or labor management committees for the past seven years. In our most recent contract, we negotiated industry-leading salary minimums, as well as protections around health care coverage for abortion, gender-affirming care, and mental health services.
When I first ran for council two years ago, I pledged to build on existing internal organizing efforts within online media and build trust and solidarity between WGAE sectors. Although that work continues, I am proud of the progress that we have made. Members from online media, film and TV, and broadcast news have shown up on each other’s picket lines, collaborated on Guild-wide issues, and enthusiastically supported new organizing across all sectors.
Last year, more than a 1,000 members signed a demand letter calling for basic protections around the use of AI, which has served as a baseline for contract negotiations. Earlier this year, hundreds of online media members signed a letter condemning the killing of journalists in Gaza. Over the past two years, leaders from every online media shop attended a series of shop steward trainings, led by our incredible staff and supported by OM council members. These trainings, which are ongoing, are empowering us to function as member-led shops and giving us a space to share our struggles and best practices.
Despite our progress, we face a bleak reality in which our industry continues to be decimated by layoffs. Many of our members have been forced out of the critical work that we have devoted our lives to, while those who still have jobs are trapped in a state of constant uncertainty. If elected to a second term on council, I am committed to working to organize our colleagues in non-unionized workplaces to build worker power within our industry. Together, we must fight for legislative protections for journalists and contract language that guarantees us better severance, successorship in the event of a sale and implements common-sense restrictions on the use of AI in our workplaces.
Endorsements
Caitlin Cruz, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Sara David, Nicholas Davis, Justin DiLauro, Vivian Ducat, Elizabeth Godvik, Tian Jun Gu, A M Homes, Liz Hynes, Gail Lee, Terri Minsky, Sarah Montana, Anna Park, Mark Ramirez, Susan Rinkunas, Erica Saleh, Scott Spencer, Sasha E Stewart
Endorse Jessica Schulberg for Council
Note: WGAW members who wish to endorse a candidate may follow the process outlined in section G.1.B of the 2024 Election Policy.
