ProPublica Staff Strike Over AI, Layoffs, Wages
Unionized ProPublica staff are on a 24-hour strike over key issues including AI protections and wages. The strike is part of ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
The ProPublica Guild, comprising roughly 150 members, has initiated a 24-hour strike in response to unresolved issues in their collective bargaining agreement negotiations. The strike, which began on Wednesday, includes a digital picket line that the public is being asked to honor.
The key issues in contention include protections around the use of AI, 'just cause' provisions for disciplining or firing employees, layoff protections, and wages. These issues have been unresolved for over two years, despite quiet efforts to resolve them.
The strike reflects the growing concerns of journalists and media workers regarding the impact of AI on their jobs and the need for fair wages and job security. The outcome of the negotiations and the strike will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for other newsrooms and industries grappling with similar issues.