NEW YORK – The editorial and publishing staff of The New Republic have ratified a new three-year contract with the magazine, which includes strong no-layoff protections on AI, a more than $20,000 increase in the salary floor and an average of a nearly 20% raise for members over the life of the contract.
The unit unanimously ratified the contract on Monday.
“We are thrilled to ratify this contract because it truly represents the value we bring to The New Republic,” said Daniel Pritchett, Director of Engagement at the magazine and a member of the union’s bargaining committee.
Among the contract highlights:
Wages:
- Salary floor climbs from nearly $39,000 to $60,000 by the end of the contract
- Lowest tier of workers to receive annual raises of 20.2%, 9%, and 10.25%
- Second lowest tier of workers to receive raises of 5%, 4%, and 4%
- Highest tier to receive 3.5, 3, and 3
- Average raise across the life of contract: 19.97%.
- All GWIs are applied to salary minimums as well
Job protection and security:
- Converted three one-year positions to full-time fact checker positions
- AI can’t be used in layoffs, can only be used as a tool and can’t replace bargaining unit work. Management is prohibited from replacing any vacant bargaining unit positions with AI.
- Protections for remote workers: Any future return to office requirements must be bargained and management cannot force people who live more than 25 miles from the office to return.
- Established an editorial integrity committee
Benefits:
- Management must provide comp time and cover childcare expenses for employees who participate in events.
- Parental leave expands from 16 to 20 weeks.
“This contract sets a new standard for workers, especially on AI and its use in the workplace, as well as creating life-changing increases for the lowest paid in the newsroom,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of NY. “This robust new contract for our New Republic members demonstrates what’s possible when we know our worth and fight for it.”