Corrupt media union walks out to demand fair contract

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On Monday, a week after the Writers Guild of America East filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Crooked Media, the network behind Pod Save America, and after more than a year of fruitless negotiations with management over a new contract, its union members walked out. “We, the undersigned members of the Crooked Media Workers Union, are united in our quest for a collective bargaining agreement that adequately reflects the current economic landscape, the rapidly changing nature of the media and information industry, and the critical concerns of our members,” the union’s walkout pledge reads. “This includes fair and competitive minimum wages, annual cost-of-living adjustments, and layoff protections, as well as a range of benefits and company policies that truly embody Crooked Media’s progressive values. We will not accept any collective bargaining agreement without these guarantees.” » According to Variety, over 95% of the bargaining unit (made up of 61 employees) reportedly participated in the one-day work stoppage. Democracy or something, anyone? It’s a great day to walk off the job and get a fair contract! pic.twitter.com/jedE5uQmqs — Crooked Media Workers Union (@crooked_union) August 5, 2024 The walkout is the culmination of more than a year of negotiations for fairer pay, layoff protections, and better benefits, to no avail. Last week, the back-and-forth with management intensified after the union accused the company of violating the National Labor Relations Act for “unilaterally changing the status quo of the previously negotiated recognition agreement and insisting on a permissive bargaining topic.” Throughout the negotiations, Crooked Media “systematically excluded several staff members from the bargaining unit in an effort to undermine the union and deny these workers their collective bargaining rights,” the union alleged. Wow! The fact that the company founded by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor—three former Obama aides who built an empire promoting liberal politicians and candidates—is being accused of disenfranchising its workers is somewhat emblematic of the Democratic Party’s current identity. “We care deeply about our work at Crooked and the broader progressive mission. It is because of these values ​​that we are determined to demand our fair share with a contract that reflects a fair workplace,” representatives of the Crooked Media workers’ union said in a statement to Variety. Your solidarity means a lot! We ask our supporters to use the hashtags #KeepCrookedProgressive and #FriendOfTheUnion in positive reviews of Crooked podcasts or in comments on social media, and to post this graphic on your own accounts. English: https://t.co/6ZMCpTKd05 pic.twitter.com/VJN5T0BBYr — Crooked Media Workers Union (@crooked_union) August 5, 2024 Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Crooked Media questioned the wisdom of a work stoppage in the midst of ongoing negotiations. “Our union has told us that they believe we are in the final stretch of negotiations, and we couldn’t agree more,” the network representative said in a statement. “We completed three days of negotiations last week, and we have two more long-scheduled days of negotiations next week. If our unit wants to walk out for a day between those bargaining sessions, that’s their right.” But we don’t think walking out in the middle of negotiations makes much sense and we look forward to getting back to the table so we can hammer out a deal next Wednesday and Thursday.” Regardless, the union insisted that it was the alleged principles of its founders that inspired it to act at this time. “Jon, Jon and Tommy have consistently reminded us that organizing is essential to political success,” their statement read. “If the founders believe that to be the case, we call on them to demonstrate it by coming to the bargaining table in these final days. We look forward to their active participation in ensuring a…