Editorial Workers at New York’s Schneps Media Launch Union

Schneps employees are forming a union! An overwhelming majority of the eligible staff of the Schneps Media Network of hyperlocal news outlets spanning New York City and Long Island have announced the creation of a union to secure competitive wages, sustainable working conditions and strengthen the news organization’s mission of providing objective local journalism in the public interest.

With a team of about 30 staffers across the editorial department, the publisher’s New York City footprint extends through five boroughs including amNY, amNY Law, Brooklyn Paper, The Bronx Times, Brownstoner, QNS, Noticias, New York Family, Staten Island Parent and Caribbean Life. On Long Island, its outlets include the Long Island Press and Dan’s Papers. The Schneps Media Union has joined with the Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees (IAPE), Local 1096 of The NewsGuild-CWA.

The Schneps Media Union has asked Josh and Victoria Schneps, CEO/Publisher of Schneps Media, to voluntarily recognize the union so both parties can quickly begin negotiating in good faith toward improved working conditions.

“Schneps Media reporters can do a lot with a little, but we shouldn’t have to. A union contract will improve our working and living conditions, making it easier to do work that matters. With better pay, benefits, resources and editorial standards, we’ll be better equipped to do what we love, providing hyperlocal news to the communities that rely on us. A rising tide lifts all ships,” said Kirstyn Brendlen, digital editor at Brooklyn Paper. Read more here!