Unionized Workers Demand Fair Contract Amidst AI Integration and Inflation

NEW YORK – The unionized workers of New York Magazine, represented by The NewsGuild of New York, have reached a boiling point. After nearly a year of bargaining negotiations with parent company Vox Media, the union has informed management that they are prepared to walk off the job unless they secure a fair contract, including strong AI protections. This potential work stoppage would mark a first for the magazine.

On Thursday, the New York Magazine Union, which represents around 150 writers, editors, fact checkers, copy editors, photo editors, designers, and other editorial producers, sent a notice of members’ intent to withhold their labor if necessary. They also launched a public pledge drive, asking subscribers to honor a digital picket line should they walk off the job. Bridget Read, New York Magazine Union Unit Chair, stated, “During a turbulent time in the industry, Vox Media has a chance to step up and stake out some stability for New York Magazine, which would seemingly be in line with the values of its leaders. Instead, the company is refusing to give us a contract that meets the basic needs of our unit. New York Magazine employees have helped the magazine and Vox Media survive, and all we are asking for is that Vox helps ensure our survival.”

The union’s demands center around job protections on AI, wages that keep up with inflation, and healthcare changes that comply with labor law. Management has maintained their refusal to address these concerns, despite the success of the magazine’s subscription business and revenue growth at The Strategist and The Cut. Vox execs have also been tight-lipped about the details of a major deal with OpenAI, signed just months ago, which has raised suspicions about the company’s priorities.

The union’s Vice Chair, Reeves Wiedeman, expressed frustration with the company’s lack of transparency regarding the OpenAI deal: “The company has refused to tell us where that money is going, but we can say with confidence based on the company’s paltry wage offers that the money is not going to the employees who produce the work that made that deal valuable in the first place.”

Vox Media’s unilateral changes to workers’ health care have also drawn the ire of the union. These changes, which dramatically increased out-of-pocket costs for union members while saving the company money, were implemented without first bargaining with the union. The NewsGuild of New York filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in October 2023 over these changes.

Susan DeCarava, President of the New York Guild, emphasized the simplicity of the solution: “Vox Media and New York Magazine management can easily solve the labor unrest at the magazine. They can agree to a contract that recognizes our members’ contributions and value. It’s just that simple.”

As the union and management remain at an impasse, the potential for a work stoppage looms large. The union’s demands for strong AI protections, fair wages, and compliant healthcare changes highlight the challenges faced by workers in the digital media landscape, where technological advancements and inflationary pressures collide. The outcome of these negotiations will not only impact the future of New York Magazine but also set a precedent for the industry as a whole.