Refinery29 Voluntarily Recognizes Writers Guild of America, East

NEW YORK, NY (January 25, 2019) — Refinery29, the feminist digital media company, has voluntarily recognized the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) as the collective bargaining representative of the site’s 40-member editorial staff.

Lowell Peterson, Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America, East, said, “We welcome Refinery29 to our growing ranks. Like feminism, unionizing is about building power and ensuring that people’s voices are heard.  Collective bargaining will enable the editorial staff at Refinery29 to make meaningful changes in the workplace.”

The Refinery29 Organizing Committee said, “The organizing committee is delighted that the company has chosen to recognize the Refinery29 Union voluntarily. We decided to organize our workplace because we believe in our outlet’s mission: Women can live their fullest lives when they feel empowered, including in their workplaces. We look forward to collaborating on a brighter future for Refinery29 and its employees. It has never been more clear that digital media is in need of unions, and the company has done the right thing in recognizing ours.”

In addition to Refinery29, the WGAE represents digital-first staffs at Vox Media, Onion Inc., HuffPost, VICE, The Dodo, Thrillist, The Intercept, ThinkProgress, MTV News, Salon, Slate, Talking Points Memo, Fast Company, and Gizmodo Media Group. The WGAE now represents more than 5,000 writers in film, television, news and new media.

ABOUT WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST
The Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing writers in film, television, news and new 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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