As freelancers, we stand in firm solidarity with full-time media staffers who strive to unionize and improve conditions in their workplaces. With the media industry becoming increasingly volatile, we know that only by lifting up staffers and freelancers alike can we achieve the justice we all deserve. And freelancers and staffers have significant power to support one another in our shared fight for better conditions. FSP coordinates with striking staff unions to respect their picket lines, while members of staff unions work with FSP in our efforts to improve freelancer conditions at the outlets where they work through Unilateral Announcements and other campaigns.
Spotlight: Solidarity with The New Yorker Union
When our colleagues strike, we can help ensure the strike’s success by committing not to work for the publication while a strike is ongoing — e.g. honoring the picket line.
In June 2021, after 31 months of bargaining, staffers at The New Yorker still did not have a contract, and voted to authorize a strike. More than 170 New Yorker freelancers, including more than 70 FSP members, signed on to honor the strike led by members of The New Yorker Union. Honoring their picket line included pledging not to:
- Perform struck work for The New Yorker (i.e., work that is usually done by members of the union, such as copy editing and fact checking).
- Pitch or produce new work for The New Yorker.
- Submit edits to forthcoming stories.
- Share newyorker.com links.
Freelancers in solidarity with The New Yorker Union demanded that their work not be published during a strike, and encouraged their audiences to support the striking workers.
On June 16, the union announced that they had at last reached an agreement with management. Solidarity works!
FSP has stood in solidarity with striking members of The New York Times Guild, WIRED Union, GMG Union, Wirecutter Union, Vox Union, and others. Want to talk to us about supporting a strike in your workplace? Get in touch.