NowThis Workers Unanimously Ratify New 3-Year WGA East Contract
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Staff at the short-form video news outlet NowThis have officially reached a deal with management on a new three-year contract.
Per the Writers Guild of America East, the new collective agreement — which establishes higher wage minimums and key protections against generative artificial intelligence — was unanimously ratified by the 9-member bargaining unit.
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'The Mighty 9 remaining members of the NowThis Union are thrilled to celebrate our successful contract negotiation!' the NowThis bargaining unit said in a statement Wednesday. 'We're very thankful to those who supported us by writing letters to the CEOs of NowThis and Accelerate Change and encouraging them to help us reach a deal. We look forward to working with management and continuing to grow NowThis into the success we know it is.'
Highlights from the contract include an increased wage minimum of $80,000. The overall contract minimum has been bumped to $65,000 with an additional $1,000 increase to all minimums in Year 2 and Year 3. All current members will also receive raises retroactive to April 1, with respect to seniority and current salary.
As for generative AI, which has been a huge priority for the WGAE in its contracts with various news outlets as of late, the protections are as follows:
Unless the Company obtains the consent of the individual, the Company shall not use or sell a digital replica (voice or likeness or style) of any individual within the bargaining unit
At least 15 days' notice to the Union of the Company's intent to use any new GAI tool or similar technology that it expects to have a direct and material impact on specific terms and conditions of employment applicable to members of the unit
Employees may decline to be credited, on any content where GAI has been used in a substantial capacity to alter or create the original content
'Our members at NowThis have been critical to the company's success and growth,' Sara David, WGAE Vice President of Online Media, added in a statement of her own. 'We're proud to see these dedicated members win a contract that reflects their value.'
This marks the second contract for workers at NowThis since organizing with the WGAE. The bargaining unit ratified its first ever union contract in 2022.
The WGAE represents a wide range of publications in the online news sector including the Bustle Digital Group, Civic News Group, CNET, Committee to Protect Journalists, Fast Company, Future PLC, Gizmodo Media Group, Hearst Magazines, HuffPost, Inc., Jewish Currents, NowThis, Onion Inc., Refinery29, Salon, Slate, Talking Points Media, The Dodo, The Intercept, Thrillist, VICE and Vox Media.
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