Slate Ratifies First Union Contract

Slate’s 51-member editorial and podcast staff this week ratified its first collective bargaining agreement with the Writers Guild of America, East.

The three-year agreement includes a minimum starting salary of $51,000, annual pay increases, the rights to derivative works, protections against online harassment, codifying anti-harassment policies and a diversity task force, non-discrimination rules, comp time, paid time off, lay-off notice and severance, a commitment to interviewing diverse candidates for open positions, just cause and union security.

The Slate Bargaining Committee issued a statement on its @SlateUnion Twitter account that said, “It’s a new day at Slate! Our contract is built on principles of equity and diversity. And yes, we have union security! Management recognized our profound objections to a “right-to work” provision and honored our demand for a union shop. We will all pay our fair share for the representation we receive. One of our primary reasons for undertaking this process was our profound love of Slate. We felt so lucky to work with management last week to put our shared goals into action. Our contract reflects our fundamental values as a company and a workplace. We’re very proud of it.”