The Intercept News Staff Ratifies First Union Contract

NEW YORK, N.Y.—The editorial staff at The Intercept investigative-news site unanimously ratified its first union contract, the Writers Guild of America, East announced July 25. The three-year deal contains numerous diversity provisions, including a rule that at least two candidates from groups traditionally underrepresented in journalism (women, people of color, or gay, lesbian, or transgender) will be interviewed for any vacant position in the bargaining unit, unless it’s one created for a specific candidate or to promote a current employee. The agreement also includes “meaningful” pay increases, particularly for workers at or below median pay, four months’ paid parental leave, just-cause requirements for termination, and provisions on the reuse of employees’ work. “In this time when the bedrock principles of our profession as well as the right to union representation itself are under attack, we hope our success encourages other outlets to organize alongside us and our fellow WGAE shops,” the union bargaining committee said in a statement. The WGAE also represents editorial and video staff at the Huffington Post, VICE, ThinkProgress, MTV News, Salon, Slate and Gizmodo Media Group. Read more