Crooked Media Union Members Unanimously Ratify Contract With Wage Increases, AI Protection

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Crooked Media Union Members Unanimously Ratify Contract With Wage Increases, AI Protection

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in virtual worlds and witnessed countless digital strikes and protests for better game balance or fair loot drops, I can’t help but feel a sense of solidarity with the Crooked Media Workers Union. These brave podcasters have taken their fight for fair wages, benefits, and work conditions into the real world, setting an inspiring example for other industries to follow.

The workers at Crooked Media’s union have all agreed to their initial Collective Bargaining Agreement. This new deal provides several benefits such as a base salary of at least $80,000 for new hires, safeguards related to AI technology, and a minimum of 49 days off with pay.

After over a year of discussions and a walkout on August 5th, the 61-strong team at Crooked Media, known for producing podcasts like Pod Save America and Lovett or Leave It, approved an agreement. The team expressed hope that the terms of this negotiation would become a benchmark for other podcasting companies in the future.

Beyond the initial $80,000 salary that escalates to $84,000 by 2027, this three-year contract offers an instant 15% boost in base salaries, a 30-day heads up from the company if AI is going to be implemented, enhanced health insurance benefits, and at least 13 weeks of severance pay.

Furthermore, it’s necessary for Crooked to provide a statement confirming that their staff is part of the WGA East union in the concluding segments of each podcast.

Today, the Crooked Media Workers Union endorsed their initial contract with a resounding yes and full participation from all members. Discussing union power is one thing, but putting that into action is quite another. We’re thrilled to have negotiated a reasonable, progressive agreement, which we hope will serve as a benchmark for the industry moving forward. If our efforts inspire employees at other companies to unite, struggle collectively, and demand their rights, then all of this has been worthwhile. This is what representatives from the Crooked Media Workers Union expressed.

“The team at Crooked Media has secured a groundbreaking contract, establishing new standards for workers in the podcast industry. We’re thrilled to witness our members achieving this well-deserved collective bargaining agreement, which offers them crucial support during their vital work – particularly amidst the bustle of a presidential election,” expressed Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, president of WGAE.

Full deal highlights: 

  • A minimum starting salary of $80,000, effective upon ratification, rising to $84,000 in 2027; 
  • An immediate 15% increase to base salary, and a pro-rated bonus retroactive from Jan 1, 2024, to take the place of what had previously been an annual companywide bonus;
  • Additional 6% increase on first 77k of salary; 3.5% increase on 77,001-100k of salary; 
  • Annual minimum salary increases of 1.75% in the first year of the contract, 4% in the second and 3.75% in the third year of the contract;
  • Crooked will give at least 30 days’ notice before using AI in any way that materially impacts bargaining unit employees. By March 31, 2025, Crooked will develop a public-facing AI policy; 
  • Successorship language that requires any new employer to assume the union contract in most instances; 
  • A PTO policy with a minimum 49 guaranteed days off, in addition to 20 weeks parental leave; 
  • Crooked will cover $955/month toward member health insurance, increasing by 10% each year
  • Crooked will offer at least one health care plan that meets the World Professional Association for Transgender Health standards;
  • A minimum of 13 weeks severance;
  • A good faith process for layoffs, including seniority, recall rights, retraining, and two weeks notice or additional severance;
  • All members are guaranteed 12 hours minimum rest time between end of work and next day’s start; 
  • Cell phone stipend, commuting reimbursement and working late in-office/on location meal & taxi reimbursements; 
  • Eliminated non-competes, at-will provisions, and mandatory arbitration provisions from individual employment agreements;  
  • Just cause;
  • Union security;
  • And Crooked must include an acknowledgment that the staff is unionized with the Writers Guild of America East at the end of all podcasts. 

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2024-08-15 18:25