As a seasoned gamer with a knack for following the behind-the-scenes drama of my favorite podcasts, I can’t help but feel a sense of solidarity with the Crooked Media Workers Union. Having spent countless hours immersed in their insightful discussions, I’ve grown to appreciate the dedication and passion these individuals bring to their craft.
On Monday, workers from the Crooked Media Union will stage a one-day strike, marking over a year of discussions regarding their contracts with the forward-thinking podcasting and media collective.
As a dedicated gamer, I’m not backing down from my stand in this negotiation. The core demands I’ve made are fair compensation with competitive minimums, yearly adjustments to account for rising costs, and robust protections against termination. Over 95% of the 61-strong union, under the umbrella of Writers Guild of America East, have pledged to strike if necessary, and we’re united in our resolve: we won’t settle for a deal that doesn’t include these essential provisions.
In 2017, Crooked Media was established by ex-Obama team members Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor, with “Pod Save America” serving as their primary podcast. Since then, the organization has expanded to host over a dozen podcasts such as “Lovett or Leave It” and “Pod Save the World,” among others. Additionally, they have established a voting and political action committee named Vote Save America. In February 2023, Crooked Media voluntarily acknowledged the union representation of their workers.
In the thrilling world of activism, I found myself engaged in contract negotiations starting from May 2023, working alongside Vote Save America in our Washington D.C. office. My team and I chose to take a stand through a walkout because there are certain aspects in these negotiations that we’ve been eagerly waiting to see progress on.
Barteldes stated, “We’re seeking a contract that mirrors both our efforts and current economic conditions. We’re aiming for reasonable, competitive minimum wages, annual cost-of-living increases to account for inflation, job security safeguards, and additional benefits and policies that align with Crooked’s progressive ideals.”
As a devoted fan and follower, I, Charlotte Landes – an audio engineer at Crooked Media in sunny Los Angeles and a key member of our bargaining committee – expressed my optimism that this contract we’re negotiating could serve as a trailblazer for the podcasting and media industry. Given Crooked Media’s forward-thinking heritage, I believe this agreement has the potential to pave the way for a brighter future for many of us in our field.
“Landes stated that everyone recognizes Crooked as a forward-thinking media company that embodies progressive ideals. He believes that Crooked has the chance to establish an industry benchmark and demonstrate to others the potential of living these values in practice.”
Although a Bloomberg article suggested recent disagreements within the company about political views between younger, liberal employees and the founders might be influencing their stance, insiders familiar with the union’s negotiations claim this has no connection to the current union activities or stances. Despite an increase in enthusiasm on both sides during the past few weeks, the overall atmosphere remains amicable, they added.
The action was taken following the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) accusing Crooked Media last week of violating labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act. They alleged that the company intentionally left out several members from the negotiating group.
A representative from Crooked Media stated that they’ve been deliberating about possibly incorporating five additional roles into the bargaining group, but assured there was no malicious intention behind this decision. Moreover, the company intends to extend to all full-time non-union staff members the same perks as those negotiated by the union.
“Crooked Media’s representative stated that our union thinks we’re nearing the end of our negotiations, which aligns with our perspective. Last week, we engaged in three days of discussions, followed by two more scheduled sessions next week. If our team decides to take a day off during these sessions for whatever reason, they have that right. However, we don’t find it strategic to strike while in the midst of negotiations. Instead, we’re eager to resume talks so we can finalize an agreement on the upcoming Wednesday and Thursday.”
Crooked Media’s recent deal ensures a minimum annual salary of $78,412, provides 49 days of full vacation pay, takes care of healthcare, dentistry, and eye care costs, and guarantees at least 12 weeks of severance pay, in addition to other benefits, as their representative explained.
The union’s action follows the company ramping up its content production, especially before the presidential election. Notably, “Pod Save America” is adding an extra weekly episode and there’s increased demand for the shows run by the founders. Furthermore, new podcasts are being developed too.
“Increased workload, as Landes pointed out, has made employees understand the value of their contributions to the company and feel they should receive some benefits in return.”
Concerning job security measures, it’s important to note that Crooked Media hasn’t experienced significant downsizing themselves, as stated by Landes. However, there have been layoffs within the media industry, and these protective measures are intended to address the broader uncertainties affecting such companies.
The goal is to reach a contract agreement by Aug. 8.
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2024-08-05 16:26