Crooked Media Union Stages Walkout After More Than A Year Of Contract Negotiations

The content creators of the Crooked Media Union are staging a walkout Monday, after more than a year of bargaining with management on its first contract since organizing under the Writers Guild of America East.

More than 95% of the 61-member bargaining unit signed the one-day walkout pledge, according to the WGAE. There are plans to leaflet outside the Crooked Media offices in Los Angeles Monday.

“We, the undersigned members of the Crooked Media Workers Union, stand united in our pursuit of a collective bargaining agreement that adequately reflects the current economic landscape, the rapidly-evolving nature of the media and news industry, and the critical concerns of our members. This includes fair and competitive salary minimums, annual cost-of-living adjustments, and safeguards against layoffs, along with a range of benefits and company policies that truly embody Crooked Media’s progressive values. We will not accept any collective bargaining agreement without these guarantees,” the group’s walkout pledge read.

The walkout comes one week after the WGAE filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Crooked Media with the National Labor Relations Board for “unilaterally changing the status quo of the previously negotiated Recognition Agreement and by insisting on a permissive subject of bargaining.”

The WGAE accuses Crooked Media of excluding several staff members from the bargaining unit “in an effort to undermine the union and deprive those workers of their collective bargaining rights.” 

Founded in 2017 by former President Barack Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor, Crooked Media produces podcasts including Pod Save America, What a Day, Hall of Shame and Lovett It or Leave It.

According to the guild, content output has “dramatically increased” at the studio in the lead up to the presidential election, but “without adequate changes to staffing and wages that are reflective of these new responsibilities.”

In a statement, representatives from the Crooked Media Workers Union, said, “We care deeply about our work at Crooked and the larger progressive mission. It is because of those values that we are steadfast in demanding our fair share with a contract that reflects an equitable workplace. Jon, Jon, and Tommy have consistently reminded us that organizing is essential to successful politics. If the founders believe that this is the case, we ask them to show that by coming to the bargaining table in these final days. We look forward to their active involvement in ensuring a contract that adequately recognizes our unit’s essential work by August 8th.”