FAQ
What is a union?
A union is a group of workers who join together to improve their jobs through collective bargaining and collective action. By forming a union, employees gain a strong, unified voice at work and the ability to fight for higher pay, better benefits, reasonable schedules, stability in a turbulent industry and more. Forming a union empowers workers to protect our jobs and preserve quality journalism.
Why do we need to form a union? Aren’t there other ways to address our grievances?
Forming a union is the only way workers can negotiate a legally binding contract with management that spells out our rights and our working conditions. Without such a contract, employers can set any conditions of employment they want, and they can terminate us at any time for any reason. Management can change our pay, benefits and schedules without our input. Forming a union enables us to come together and demand change in a legally protected way.
Why now?
Turmoil in our industry has left many of us with stagnant wages, an overwhelming workload and virtually no input at work. The upheaval has undermined our ability to hold the powerful accountable and to tell the stories of our communities.
In just the last few years, more than 2,500 people at more than two dozen publications have responded to the uncertainty by organizing with The NewsGuild-CWA.
Why are journalists, staffers at nonprofits, employees of publishing houses and others organizing with The NewsGuild-CWA?
The NewsGuild, part of the Communications Workers of America, is the largest union of journalists and other communications professionals in North America, representing more than 25,000 people.
The Guild has a deep understanding of the industry; extensive experience organizing newsrooms; and a strong track record of fighting for journalists and other media professionals. The Guild is a highly democratic organization, where local units make their own decisions and set their own priorities.
NewsGuild members work at news organizations such as the New York Times, Associated Press, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, BuzzFeed News, Guardian US, the Daily Beast, Florida Times-Union, Hartford Courant, Virginian-Pilot, Capital Gazette, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sports Illustrated and many, many more.
As part of the Communications Workers of America, the Guild is connected to a powerful network that represents CWA members nationwide in the communications and information industries, the airlines, broadcast and cable television, public service, higher education and health care, manufacturing, in high tech and more. As members of the AFL-CIO, a federation of 55 national unions, the Guild is part of a revitalized labor movement.
What happens after the union is formed?
Once the union is “recognized” – either voluntarily by management or through an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board – union members advance our goals by building democratic structures – electing unit officers, establishing a bargaining committee, and creating a shop steward network.
Bargaining committees oversee contract negotiations with management. They are madeup of members from the unit and experienced NewsGuild staff, and get assistance from Guild attorneys. Prior to the start of negotiations, bargaining committees send surveys to union members to ascertain priorities and keep members informed of developments. Once the bargaining committee and management reach a tentative agreement on a contract, employees vote to accept or reject it. If a majority votes to ratify the contract, it takes effect.
Shop stewards communicate with members, ensure members’ rights are respected, and organize Guild activities in support of bargaining and other issues of concern to members. A strong steward network ensures a strong workplace!
How long will it take to negotiate a contract?
Negotiations take time. It’s not uncommon for negotiations for a first contract to last a year or more. But when workers are unified and active, a strong contract can be completed within a reasonable period.
In the meantime, once the union is certified, workers enjoy “status quo protections.” All current working conditions must be maintained, and any changes must be negotiated until union members ratify a first contract, which establishes the new “status quo.”
What is “just cause” and why is it important?
Most workers are “at will” employees, who can be fired for any reason, at any time and without notice. “Just cause” provisions — which are a cornerstone of NewsGuild contracts — require management to have a legitimate reason for firing or disciplining employees and grant employees due process – a procedure for challenging charges against them.
(Courtesy of NewsGuild.org)