HOW DO I LEARN MORE?
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SOUNDS GREAT. WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE?
Bargaining a contract is about identifying core issues that need to be clarified, which requires compromise and collaboration. The process isn’t perfect or magic. There can be conflict at various stages of the process, whether it is co-workers who disagree with each other or managers who push back on proposals or union involvement. Contract negotiations are [...]
ARE THERE OTHER BENEFITS OF BEING A WGAE GUILD MEMBER?
Guild staff work with the elected Council and interested members to implement a range of initiatives. In just the last year, Guild members have applied for grants to start a writing fellowship programs, hosted film screenings, social events, and professional development courses, and collaborated on initiatives like the Diversity Coalition and lobbying for diversity tax credits [...]
HOW MUCH ARE UNION DUES?
Dues ensure that Guild members have the resources to negotiate and enforce strong contracts, seek legal support, and implement member-driven events and programs. No one pays dues until a first contract is negotiated and voted upon. It’s up to you and your colleagues to work together to advocate for a strong contract and then decide, through [...]
I THINK I’M A SUPERVISOR. HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION IN A UNION?
In a creative workplace, particularly newsrooms, it’s not always clear who is/isn’t a supervisor. We rely on you, the people who work in the shop, to explain how your workplace operates. Beyond that, we examine organizational structures and job duties to determine the scope of the union. Management has contested that many people at Hearst are [...]
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BARGAINING?
Once the union and management bargaining committee reach a tentative agreement on the contract, it is voted into place by the membership. Once the contract is in effect, members nominate a representative union committee. The union committee works with Guild staff to enforce the contract and communicate with management about additional issues in the workplace. The [...]
WILL I LOSE SOMETHING GREAT I NEGOTIATED FOR MYSELF?
Union contracts address a broad range of issues, from pay and benefits to editorial standards and diversity. While contracts can set minimums for pay, they don’t set maximums – and individuals still retain the right to negotiate above and beyond the minimum rates.
WON’T THIS TAKE DECISION-MAKING AWAY FROM US BY MAKING US FOLLOW ARCANE UNION RULES/PROTOCOLS?
Through continued conversations and a bargaining survey, you determine the bargaining priorities and what does or doesn’t work for your individual workplace, then work with the WGAE staff to develop proposals that specifically address those issues. Those proposals are voted into place by you – the employees. G/O Media, Vox Media, VICE, Fast Company, Slate, and [...]
WHAT WILL MANAGEMENT SAY OR DO IF EMPLOYEES ORGANIZE?
One of the most common anti-union talking points is the idea that the union is an outside entity that will impose restrictive rules or create more bureaucracy. Management will often ask staff to give the company a chance to make improvements before bringing in a union. But the union is not a third party. It’s you [...]
IF A GROUP OF PEOPLE GET RAISES WON’T THAT MEAN WE HAVE TO CUT FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE?
A key part of contract negotiations is conducting a thorough financial analysis of the institution. The company is compelled to disclose certain information. Through a detailed cost-out of each proposal and this analysis, we propose realistic improvements that will work for employees and the company. Companies often think that they are running their operations as efficiently [...]