Employees of StoryCorps will form a union at the oral-history nonprofit after a successful vote Wednesday.
After a months-long process that included clashes with StoryCorps management and hearings before the National Labor Relations Board, 24 of the organization’s 95 employees will form a collective bargaining unit represented by the Communications Workers of America, the employees and StoryCorps announced.
Eighty-three percent of eligible employees voted to approve the union, according to a CWA press release.
“In the past, we experienced sudden layoffs, worked for low wages, and weren’t able to negotiate over working conditions,” said Mia Warren, production assistant, in the release. “My colleagues and I decided to come together and organize so we could have a seat at the table to discuss issues like healthcare benefits, severance packages and greater transparency around pay. Now we’ll be able to have a say in making StoryCorps a better place to work.”
“We respect the results of the election and intend to work with all of our 95 staff members to continue learning and growing from the events of the past several months at StoryCorps,” StoryCorps management said in a statement.
Management will begin collective bargaining with CWA in the “near future,” the statement said.
The unit includes the employees with the titles of producer; web developer and mobile app specialist; senior analyst, finance and accounting; production assistant; program specialist, community training; and community engagement associate.