The Washington Post’s tech employees are organizing to form a union, aiming to enhance their role in shaping the organization’s future. Luke, a software engineer and organizing committee member, highlighted the significance of a union, stating, “We’re the workers who build The Washington Post—we ship the code that keeps the newsroom running. We understand what readers want, and we know how to build for the future.” He emphasized that despite challenges, they persist in delivering their duties, and a union ensures their continued influence in journalism.
The drive for unionization is rooted in principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity, aligning with the fundamental values of journalism. Another software engineer, Lisa, expressed her support for the unionization effort, saying, “I want a union to guarantee transparency and fairness in pay, career advancement and benefits. I want a union to protect our jobs from our executives’ political whims. I want to stand up for my colleagues and myself.”
The Washington Post Tech Guild is part of a broader trend in the media industry, with tech workers at other prominent media outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle, The Seattle Times, and the New York Times forming unions in recent years.
Meanwhile, the NewsGuild-CWA is also involved in a legal battle alongside other unions to restore Congress-approved funding for Radio Free Asia, which was halted by the Trump administration. This action aims to continue the organization’s work of broadcasting news in regions under repressive regimes. Radio Free Asia remains a critical source of information for audiences in countries like Tibet, Vietnam, and North Korea.
An all-Guild membership meeting is scheduled for April 10, focusing on growing threats to the free press and unions. Participants will discuss these challenges and strategize responses.
Elsewhere, Pittsburgh strikers are reporting progress in their ongoing labor dispute. A recent court injunction ordered the reinstatement of their health insurance. Workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have been striking for more than two years, striving to return to the terms of their 2017 contract.
In Connecticut, Hearst journalists have launched an unfair labor practice claim with the National Labor Relations Board. The company reportedly delayed the election process following the launch of their union campaign, with some workers facing termination.
At Science News, journalists are organizing a rally in Washington D.C. to push for their first contract since their unionization efforts began in November 2023. They demand guarantees for remote work, equitable salary structures, and separate sick leave allocations.
As labor movements across the media industry intensify, Jon Schleuss, President of The NewsGuild-CWA, offers consistent support to unionization efforts and commitments to advocating for press freedom and workers’ rights.
