Digital media outlet Salon Media has agreed to recognize the Writers Guild of America East as the collective bargaining representative of its editorial staff.
The company and the guild have agreed to launch negotiations on a contract promptly, the WGA East said Saturday. Twenty-six of Salon’s employees are repped by the WGA.
The recognition comes a month after the Salon staff voted unanimously to unionize.
“The men and women who write, edit and produce stories for Salon.com have gained a voice on the job, and the intelligence and unity they have brought to the project is an inspiration,” said WGA East executive director Lowell Peterson in a statement.
“For 20 years Salon has been a bastion of progressive thought and action, and we are very pleased that Salon management has reaffirmed its commitment to take the high road, to recognize and respect its employees’ right to organize,” he added. “We look forward to continuing a productive relationship with the company.”
On June 4 the editorial staff at digital media publisher Gawker Media voted to unionize with the WGA East by an 80-27 margin.
