Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Slate Editorial Staff Ratify New Contract That Establishes Bargaining Unit’s First AI Protections

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The editorial staff at Slate Media ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) that establishes guardrails around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the newsroom. The 55-member bargaining unit unanimously approved the latest three-year contract, which marks the third since the staff unionized in 2018.

The contract establishes protections against the implementation of AI as well as guidelines for the development of a public-facing editorial policy on its use. Management will be required to provide advance notice and details before introducing any generative AI tool in an editorial capacity, and members can remove their byline from any AI-related editorial asks that they believe would compromise editorial integrity. The company must also work directly in consultation with the union to develop editorial guidelines and review processes for the use of AI in an editorial context. Any unit member whose position is materially affected by the introduction of editorial generative AI will receive an additional three weeks of severance and another month of insurance.

Other highlights include guaranteed raises for unit members in 2026, an increase in the lowest minimum salary from $58,000 to $66,000, minimum severance tripled from two to six weeks, bereavement leave doubled from five to 10 days, parental leave increased from 13 to 16 weeks, hostile environment training and antidoxxing tools, and guaranteed severance and coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for separation from the company due to editorial differences.

“The Slate Union is proud to ratify a new contract with management,” the unit members said in a joint statement. “We’re thrilled to have secured better parental leave and severance, raised salary minimums and annual increases, added new positions to the unit and introduced a brand new AI article. This contact improves the livelihoods of all our members, and we hope it helps set even better standards for all of those in our industry.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/30/2026 - 10:07

Tags: Organizing

Worker Wins: Real Progress for Working Families

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

Providence Saint John’s Health Center Nurses Ratify New Contract with Improved Benefits: California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) members who work at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract on Friday. The three-year deal contains major wins like education investments, improvements to staffing, commitments to workplace equity and inclusion, 100% match contributions for 401(k) plans and more. “We now have a contract that will make it easier to recruit and retain experienced nurses. This is essential to patient safety,” said Liz Wade, a registered nurse in the labor and delivery unit and member of the negotiating team. “Expanded education for nurses will ensure that we stay current with new developments.”

IAM Union Members Approve New Agreement, Securing 3.5% Raises: After two weeks on strike in freezing conditions, members of IAM Union Local 1211 secured a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with manufacturing company Parker Lord. Workers bravely held the line in the local’s first work stoppage in more than five decades, when members walked out against the former Lord Corporation. Since Parker Hannifin acquired the company in 2019, members say that conditions have worsened and wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living. This new deal establishes yearly 3.5% raises, additional paid holidays and parental leave, improved retirement eligibility and more. “These gains represent real progress for working families,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “This agreement proves what IAM members can accomplish when they stand together and refuse to back down. The members of Local 1211 showed remarkable solidarity, and their unity delivered real economic improvements and renewed respect on the job.”

Environmental Defense Fund Workers Win Union Election: Workers at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) overwhelmingly voted Friday to form a union with the Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild (WBNG), Local 32035 of The NewsGuild-CWA. This victory marks a major industry win: The bargaining unit, EDF Together, is now the largest environmental nonprofit union in the United States. Workers publicly launched their organizing efforts on Dec. 2 and, despite lack of voluntary recognition from management, displayed powerful unity in their election victory. “Supporting staff from the ground up gives us the foundation we need in order to address the complex challenges of the climate crisis,” said Jess, a program coordinator. “With this result demonstrating a clear mandate from staff, my colleagues and I are excited to move swiftly into bargaining our first contract.”

Production Workers at Arena Stage Vote to Join IATSE: Backstage production workers at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage have overwhelmingly voted to join the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). The stagehands, wardrobe staff, scenic workers, makeup professionals and hair crew who make world-class performances at one of the country’s leading regional theaters will be represented by IATSE locals 22, 772, 798 and United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829. This victory has been four years in the making, and members are eager to bargain for the fair working conditions, job security and a collective voice they deserve. “This is an amazing step for the workers at Arena Stage and Washington, D.C. in general,” said Nicholas Arancibia, vice president of Local 22. “This is the third regional theater in the Washington D.C. area to win recognition with IATSE in the last six years. Workers are stepping up and making sure everyone is taken care of and has a path forward for a better life through a union.”

Cleveland Institute of Music Faculty Approve First Collective Bargaining Agreement: Faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music—who are members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 4—have ratified their first union contract. Instructors at the private conservatory voted to form a union back in 2024. Their inaugural two-year deal includes major wins around compensation, workload size, job security and professional support. “The consistent solidarity demonstrated by the faculty is the bedrock of this historic agreement,” said Leonard DiCosimo, president of AFM Local 4. “It is a tremendous honor to represent the world-class musical artists that live and work in Northeast Ohio.”

Oregon Unions Launch New Clean Energy Labor Coalition: Labor leaders from across the building trades in Oregon gathered for a press conference on Wednesday to announce the launch of Climate Jobs Oregon. This new coalition advocates for policies to increase the number of union tradespeople to help meet the state’s clean energy targets and lower utility bills. Labor partners in this campaign include the Oregon AFL-CIO; Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council; Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 48, 125 and 932; Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 701; Ironworkers Local 29; Laborers (LIUNA) Local 737; Oregon and Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 16; and United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 290. Labor leaders collaborated with the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Climate Jobs Institute to produce a range of policy recommendations, including increasing investments in union apprenticeship programs, collaborating with labor unions to expedite site permitting for clean energy development and more. “To meet our climate goals, Oregon needs a massive increase in workers, and those workers must be trained to the highest caliber, and safety standards, where they have a meaningful voice on the job, where they have career pathways for advancement and they have wages, benefits and a retirement plan to support their families and get them into the economy long term,” said Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO. “Let’s be crystal clear: Those are union jobs.”  

Geisinger Hospital Workers Ratify New Contract, Secure Raises: Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Pennsylvania at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract. The three-year agreement includes victories like wage increases ranging from 9.25% to 20%, enhanced workplace safety, improved scheduling practices and more. Members of the bargaining unit perform a wide range of essential roles such as nursing assistants, environmental services workers, dietary aides, patient transporters, sterile processing staff, anesthesia technicians and maintenance employees. “This new contract will help us attract and keep staff so we can do the best job possible,” said Angel McConaughey, a certified environmental services specialist and union delegate. “Now I’m looking forward to working together with my coworkers to continue building our unity and strength.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/29/2026 - 11:51

Tags: Organizing