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.

Workers at McGee Media, the nonfiction production company behind PBS’ "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.," agreed to their first union contract. The contract covers 25 staffers who work as producers, researchers and archivists, and are now represented by the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). They unanimously voted to ratify the contract last week.

The contract establishes 3% annual wage increases for union members and health care contributions through the Entertainment Industry Flex Plan. The three-year deal also requires 10 vacation days and a minimum of three sick days after two weeks of employment. The deal also includes language covering the use of AI in the workplace: It necessitates advanced notice and “discussion” if AI tools are used by the company.

Members of the bargaining committee stated that the contract “sets a new standard for the documentary television industry and reflects the progressive values of McGee Media.”

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.

Employees at the Shedd Aquarium overwhelmingly voted to join AFSCME Council 31, making them the latest workers at the cultural institution in Chicago who have decided to organize for an improved workplace.

More than 75% of workers voted for the formation of Shedd Workers United. The 180-person union includes staff who work in guest relations, learning and community, development, and other departments. Workers initially announced their intent to join AFSCME in April, citing concerns with work-life imbalance, low wages and a lack of communication from management and more. Despite union-busting activities from management, workers remained steadfast in their fight for representation.

“We formed our union because we care about our co-workers, we love the aquarium and we want to make it better for all. We won by overcoming management’s divisive anti-union campaign,” the Shedd Workers United organizing committee said. “With our victory, we urge management to take a new approach and respect us as equals as we take our seat at the table to negotiate our first contract.”

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.

Workers in the newsroom at the Anchorage Daily News, the state’s largest newspaper, voted 13–4 for a new union. With the vote, the Anchorage Daily News becomes the only union newsroom in Alaska. The workers intend to advocate for fair wages, financial transparency and a sustainable workplace environment.

“My generation of reporters, I feel like we just kind of expected to be doormats, and my professors told me—they’re like, look, you’re taking a vow of poverty when you start this career,” said Kyle Hopkins, a longtime reporter. “Nobody expects to get rich or even be anything beyond kind of middle class or even lower middle class, but I just want the people I work with—and myself, if I lose the ProPublica connection—to be able to pay for child care and health care. Just the bare minimum.”