May 8, 2020 – Workers at Inside Higher Ed won voluntary recognition of their union from the company’s leadership team on May 7. The IHE Guild can now begin negotiations with Inside Higher Ed for a fair contract.
The union includes 12 workers encompassing all of the editorial and the tech teams. The IHE Guild will join the Washington-Baltimore local of The NewsGuild-CWA.
“I’m very grateful that our leadership decided to voluntarily recognize us after just one week, foregoing a protracted election process. Our union has nearly unanimous support and I feel this was realized by all,” said Lilah Burke, a reporter and member of IHE Guild.
“Overall, this is illustrative of both the willingness of management to work with us and the power we have built up as a union. I believe this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship with leadership that will result in improved conditions for all workers at Inside Higher Ed.”
Workers began organizing for a union months before the current public health pandemic, citing shifting schedules, tight deadlines, and the desire to gain stability by having a seat at the table. They delivered a petition to management and won better severance pay, showing the power of collective action.
However, it became clear that they needed protection immediately as their company lost revenue, and as they watched many other media companies furlough and lay off employees.
Now that workers have a voice through the union, they look forward to working with management to make Inside Higher Ed an even better place to work.
“We look forward to having a seat at the table with our company to ensure Inside Higher Ed continues to provide quality journalism to its readers,” said Madeline St. Amour, a reporter and member of the IHE Guild.
A large majority of eligible employees signed union cards and supported the letter seeking voluntary union recognition, which was delivered to Mark Belles, Doug Lederman and Scott Jaschik on May 1.
“We are thrilled management chose to recognize our union, and look forward to constructive negotiations,” said Lindsay McKenzie, a reporter and member of IHE Guild. “We demonstrated strength and solidarity which clearly had an impact.”
Union members will meet soon to elect leaders and discuss the coming negotiations.
Follow them on Twitter @IHEGuild.