As a gamer and someone who has closely followed the world of podcasting, I’ve been absolutely thrilled to witness the recent union victory at Pineapple Street Studios. Having seen firsthand the struggles of content creators in the industry, this development is a game-changer.
Members of the Writers Guild of America East reached an agreement on their first union contract at Pineapple Street Studios. This deal lasts for three years and includes safeguards against AI technology as well as higher minimum wages.
At Pineapple Street Studios, there are 22 team members in the collective bargaining group. Among them are producers, editors, engineers, and other support staff who work on various podcast projects such as “Classy,” “Ghost Story” from Wondery, “Million Dollar Advice” by Paper Kite, and HBO’s “Succession Podcast.”
As a seasoned labor union negotiator with years of experience under my belt, I can tell you that the latest contract proposal is quite favorable for our members. The minimum starting salary is set at an impressive $72,000, which will provide a significant boost to many families in our community. This wage increase will take effect as soon as the contract is ratified, ensuring our members see tangible benefits right away.
An extra stipulation is included for the succeeding company to acknowledge and negotiate with the union following a sale, enhanced vacation time and severance packages, as well as the removal of non-competition clauses and nondisclosure agreements related to harassment matters.
The unit has officially set the rules for our existing flexible remote work arrangement. Any adjustments to trials or manufacturing tasks conducted during the hiring process will be compensated at a minimum wage for that particular role.
In October 2022, the group declared their plans to form, pointing to Audacy’s purchase of Pineapple Street Studios in 2019 as a significant milestone.
In January, Audacy sought bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 and devised a strategy for bouncing back. This plan involved letting go of 25 percent of its Pineapple Street staff towards the end of the month, followed by restructuring its podcast division with fresh branding later on.
After about 18 months of talks, union member Emerald O’Brien from Pineapple Street expressed her delight. “We’re ecstatic to have a contract that raises the bar in compensation and work policies within our industry,” she stated. Although this contract stands out for numerous reasons, we believe no podcast employee should be underpaid given the corporate giants’ prevalence in our field.
I’m thrilled that this contract will enhance Pineapple into a more inclusive and fair workplace for every employee. We couldn’t have secured this achievement without the unwavering support of our entire union, standing together in solidarity.
At Pineapple Street Studios, our union members stood firm in defending essential labor rights such as job security, the right to maintain control during mergers or takeovers, and having a say in the use of artificial intelligence. WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen expressed her pride in witnessing these dedicated podcast workers successfully negotiate their first contract, which will provide them with the foundation for long-term professional growth.
Workers from Crooked Media, iHeart Podcast Network, Pushkin Industries, The Ringer, and Spotify Studios have joined the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) as union members.
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2024-07-22 19:25