The Onion Union Avoids Strike, Reaches Tentative Agreement With G/O Media

The Onion Union employees have narrowly avoided a strike, reaching a tentative agreement with G/O Media just hours before the current contract was set to expire at midnight.

The Writers Guild of America East announced the new collective bargaining agreement Tuesday evening. Earlier this week, the guild had authorized an Unfair Labor Practice strike. If the parties couldn’t strike a deal, the Onion Union would have hit the picket lines on Thursday.

“It was critical we reach a deal that addresses the numerous challenges and existential threats to our careers, and this tentative agreement could not have been won without a willingness to take collective action to secure the contract we deserve. Our union has never been stronger and more united,” the union said in a statement.

The Onion Union represents the creative staff at The Onion, The A.V. Club, Deadspin, and The Takeout. According to the guild, the negotiating committee “made important gains in wages and workplace protections.”

So far, details about the new agreement have not been released. The tentative agreement will now go to The Onion Union and the WGAE Council for ratification votes. Details of the collective bargaining agreement will be made public upon ratification. 

In addition to pay increases, the Onion Union was seeking contractual protections in the event that the company is sold as well as improved severance given the ongoing layoffs and basic protections against AI.