BuzzFeed News staff across the country participated in a walkout Monday in an attempt to pressure the company to recognize their union, which they formed February.
BuzzFeed News staffers across the US are walking out today to demand that BuzzFeed management return to the table and recognize our union on fair terms that reflect the way our newsroom works. pic.twitter.com/FWLqbCv0qk
— BuzzFeed News Union ✊ (@bfnewsunion) June 17, 2019
“Since February, BuzzFeed has delayed, stood us up, refused to work toward compromises on key issues, and routinely taken positions that would severely undercut our union’s ability to protect workers,” the union tweeted. “BuzzFeed has offered us an unacceptable take-it-or-leave-it deal and walked away from the negotiating table. We demand that they continue working with us to reach a voluntary recognition agreement that does this newsroom justice.”
Their walkout comes shortly after 300 staffers at Vox.com staged a walkout to secure a better contract.
We, the BuzzFeed News employees, are walking out to once again demonstrate to @buzzfeedben, @peretti, and the company’s management that our newsroom is united in our effort to unionize and that we will not be intimidated by attempts to undermine us ✊ #1u
— BuzzFeed News Union ✊ (@bfnewsunion) June 17, 2019
At the end of their walkout, the BuzzFeed News Union accused company CEO Jonah Peretti of “misrepresenting management’s stated position, and our response to it. Our demands have not changed; neither has the company’s refusal to engage in good faith.”
