WGA East Members Strike at Jezebel, The Root, Lifehacker, Kotaku, Jalopnik and Gizmodo and Ask Supporters Not to Click on Sites

The Gizmodo Media Group (GMG) Union, representing newsroom workers at Jezebel, The Root, Lifehacker, Kotaku, Jalopnik and Gizmodo organized with the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), took collective action this week by going on strike after the union’s second contract expired at 11:59PM on Monday.

In a statement, the GMG Union wrote, “In 2015, this union broke new ground when it organized the first digital media union. Now, GMG Union will break ground yet again: We are the first digital media shop to go on an open-ended strike for a fair contract. We didn’t make this decision lightly. After more than a month of bargaining, our shop of workers from Gizmodo, Jalopnik, Jezebel, Kotaku, Lifehacker, and The Root voted 100 percent in favor of a strike, with 93 percent of members voting. We’re fighting for a say in our benefits, WPATH-compliant healthcare offerings, remote work, and equitable salary minimums to match unprecedented financial times. We hope to see our industry colleagues join us on the picket line in New York City. Our fight is your fight.”

The WGAE/GMG Union—made up of roughly 100 reporters, editors, artists, podcasters, social media specialists, and videographers—has been in good-faith negotiations with G/O Media since late January. At every step, G/O Media has slowed down the process with a lack of preparedness and stalling tactics. The union is asking supporters not to click on or contribute content to Gizmodo, Jalopnik, Jezebel, Kotaku, Lifehacker and The Root. Learn more on the GMG Union's website, support striking workers here, and check out coverage in Variety and The New York Times.