After two years of negotiations with management, the journalists of ProPublica, the non-profit, independent newsroom that uncovered the oligarch-backed financial networks that support right-wing Supreme Court justices like Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, just went on strike!
The ProPublica Guild’s story is one we’ve heard many times: workers at a progressive business or institution successfully unionize and head to the bargaining table only to discover that their employer isn’t quite as progressive as they seem.
After two years of negotiations, ProPublica workers are still fighting to get basic, common-sense protections in their union contract. So far, management has refused to agree to standard job security protections and seniority provisions in layoffs, rejected any restrictions on replacing jobs with AI, and denied workers wage increases that keep up with the rising cost of living.
The protections the union is fighting for aren’t just for ProPublica journalists. With our democracy and the press under attack, we need independent journalism now more than ever. A contract win for the ProPublica Guild is a win for all of us.
Work protections for ProPublica journalists also protect us, the public, by making sure that we are reading the most accurate and fearless stories out there–the stories that need to be told because they help us change our world. ProPublica workers need to be able to work without fear of unwarranted discipline or layoffs if they speak up to maintain journalistic standards or push back against the boss.
Support ProPublica workers with a donation to the strike fund if you can. And of course–don’t cross the picket line! Stand with workers by not visiting the ProPublica website or clicking on ProPublica content on any other platforms.
In solidarity,
The Labor Force
UPDATE: ProPublica workers are back on the job, so you can get back to reading their incredible journalism. Their fight isn’t over yet, though–if you can, make a contribution to their strike fund!