Congratulations, Huffington Post US, on first collective contract

Unifor 87-M is thrilled that unionized Huffington Post workers in the U.S. have got their first collective contract. 

On Monday, Jan. 30, Huffington Post workers became the largest digital news site to ratify a deal with their employer when they voted nearly unanimously to accept the contract recommended to them by their bargaining committee.

More than 200 employees will be covered in a contract that sees all Huffington Post workers get 3 per cent raises (with some getting bumps of $10,000 to $20,000 US), collect at least two months pay in the event of layoffs, and have their editorial independence enshrined. Procedures are also now in place for discipline and severance.

The unit, represented by the Writers Guild of America East, was voluntarily recognized by Huffington Post US in early 2016.

“When we decided to unionize at HuffPost, we had a lot of concerns we wanted to tackle: editorial autonomy, newsroom diversity, fair and transparent pay, and job security,” the members of the bargaining committee said in a statement. “We’re happy to say we’ve achieved a contract that addresses all that and more.”

Union members voted 169-3 in favour of the deal.