Signal Ohio joins wave of nonprofit newsroom unionization

""As the organization grows, we are unionizing across newsrooms and teams to ensure our mission and vision align with employees' realities," the Signal Ohio News Workers Guild wrote in a statement signed by 15 union-eligible staffers. The journalists said their priorities for unionization include "transparent, equitable and sustainable pay," including cost-of-living raises; hiring practices that reflect Signal's "founding ethos of being accountable to our communities"; professional development; and a say in newsroom policies, including the use of artificial intelligence."

"Staffers are seeking voluntary recognition and asking leadership to "collaborate with us to build an enduring and stable Signal Ohio," the guild said. More than 80% of eligible employees signed union cards, including all 14 of Signal Ohio's current full-time reporters. The Signal Ohio News Workers Guild is joining the Northeast Ohio NewsGuild, which represents journalists at four other news outlets across the region. Management at the Signal Ohio network did not immediately respond to a request for comment."

""We want to make this environment both equitable and sustainable for the long haul for employees," said Amy Morona, a Signal Statewide higher education reporter and member of the organizing committee. (Her position is part of a partnership with Open Campus.) "We believe this is good for us, but ultimately, good for the organization and good for the audiences that we serve.""

Three Signal Ohio newsrooms backed by the American Journalism Project moved to unionize, following other nonprofit newsrooms. Organizers prioritized transparent, equitable and sustainable pay, including cost-of-living raises; hiring practices that reflect accountability to communities; professional development; and input on newsroom policies such as artificial intelligence. Staffers seek voluntary recognition and ask leadership to collaborate to build a stable organization. More than 80% of eligible employees signed union cards, including all 14 full-time reporters. The Signal Ohio News Workers Guild will join the Northeast Ohio NewsGuild. Management did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read at Nieman Lab