WGA East members, who work as writers and editors at the news website HuffPost, are threatening to strike if a fair deal is not reached by midnight ET Tuesday night.
With just two days of negotiations left, their pledge to strike comes after months of negotiating a new contract. According to the guild, 98% of the 91-member HuffPost Union signed the pledge to strike.
“We are currently negotiating at the bargaining table,” a HuffPost spokesperson said tonight, “and are optimistic that we can reach a resolution with the HuffPost union upon the expiration of the current CBA.”
The strike statement handed over to management today reads: “We are ready to strike. We, the members of the HuffPost Union, are committed to a collective bargaining agreement that reflects the realities of the economy, our changing industry and the issues that matter most to us. This means competitive compensation, annual salary increases that keep pace with the cost of living, fair severance pay, a secure financial future, health and safety benefits, recognizing that Covid-19 is still an occupational hazard, a real path to career growth and a Align benefits and company policies with HuffPost’s stated interest in the well-being, health and safety of employees. Without these guarantees, we will not accept any collective agreement.
“These entire negotiations have been characterized by a lack of willingness and urgency on the part of management,” the strike pledge added. “In light of many unresolved issues and an impending contract expiration, we were disappointed that management did not make any economic counter-proposals on Friday. Your latest economic proposal will result in lower annual wage increases for around 90% of our members in times of high inflation. This is not a serious proposal and is not acceptable to our members. We hope this strike pledge shows management that we are united in our commitment to a fair contract.”
WGA East Executive Director Lowell Peterson said, “Our goal is a collective bargaining agreement that recognizes the value of our members’ work at HuffPost, and we stand ready to fight for it.”
The guild struck its first deal with HuffPost in 2017, when the news outlet was still known as The Huffington Post.
Writer: David Robb
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
