The staff of Washingtonian magazine has joined to form a union. They have unionized with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, joining the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, Foreign Policy and others.
Here’s what the newly formed union has stated:
During a year of turmoil in our industry and around the world, we’ve come together with a renewed sense of solidarity and determination to ensure that every member of our team feels they have a voice. We care too deeply about Washingtonian and the future of our industry not to have a say in the decisions that shape them. Forming a union allows us to advocate for fair compensation, a healthy office culture, and a diverse and inclusive newsroom that reflects the community we serve.
The Washingtonian Guild website highlights the work the staff labored on over the past year. Above all, informing readers with essential COVID-19 updates. Furthermore, covering the historic protests in the streets of the capital city.
Meanwhile, the Guild reports that Washingtonian management distributed a memo to staff informing them that they “will NOT voluntarily recognize a union.”
The Editorial
Amidst the pandemic, Cathy Merrill, Chief Executive of Washingtonian Media, prompted her entire staff to go on strike. In short, that strike was prompted by a tone deaf editorial written by Merrill. The Washington Post published piece aired Merrill’s concerns about employees not returning to the office.
Inexplicably, Merrill didn’t mention what her own staff feels about working from the office again.
I am concerned about the unfortunately common office worker who wants to continue working at home and just go into the office on occasion.
Now, we face re-creating a workplace where a good culture of trust will be harder to build.
Cathy Merrill, Chief Executive of Washingtonian Media
Furthermore, Merrill threatened to convert employees who won’t work in the office to what she calls “contractor status.” Merrill dangles the idea of not paying for these employees health care…during a pandemic. And she would withhold “extras such as bonuses”.
What’s Next
The Guild is asking those who want to help to send an email to Merrill. Specifically to ask her to voluntarily recognize their union. Those interested can access a form that will help generate an email to the CEO.
