WGA East Members at NowThis Ratify New Union Contract
NEW YORK, NY (May 7, 2025) — Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at short-form video news outlet NowThis and management reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. The contract was unanimously ratified by the 9-member bargaining unit.
The three-year contract bumps the minimum for all current members to $80,000 and increases the overall contract minimum to $65,000, with an additional $1,000 increase to all minimums in Year 2 and Year 3.
Additional highlights from the contract include:
- Raises retroactive to April 1, 2025:
- Year 1: 3.75% for all members
- Year 2: 3.5% for salaries 100k and under, 2.75% for salaries over 100k
- Year 3: 3.25% for salaries 100k and under, 2.75% for salaries over 100k;
- Protections against Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI):
- Unless the Company obtains the consent of the individual, the Company shall not use or sell a digital replica (voice or likeness or style) of any individual within the bargaining unit
- At least 15 days’ notice to the Union of the Company’s intent to use any new GAI tool or similar technology that it expects to have a direct and material impact on specific terms and conditions of employment applicable to members of the unit
- Employees may decline to be credited, on any content where GAI has been used in a substantial capacity to alter or create the original content
- Winter Hiatus – All unit on paid holiday break from Christmas through New Year’s Day
- $1,500 Longevity Bonus on every four-year anniversary
The NowThis bargaining unit said, “The Mighty 9 remaining members of the NowThis Union are thrilled to celebrate our successful contract negotiation! We’re very thankful to those who supported us by writing letters to the CEOs of NowThis and Accelerate Change and encouraging them to help us reach a deal. We look forward to working with management and continuing to grow NowThis into the success we know it is.”
“Our members at NowThis have been critical to the company’s success and growth,” says Sara David, WGAE Vice President of Online Media. “We’re proud to see these dedicated members win a contract that reflects their value.”
In addition to NowThis, the WGA East’s Online Media Sector includes the Bustle Digital Group, Civic News Group, CNET, Committee to Protect Journalists, Fast Company, Future PLC, Gizmodo Media Group, Hearst Magazines, HuffPost, Inc., Jewish Currents, NowThis, Onion Inc., Refinery29, Salon, Slate, Talking Points Media, The Dodo, The Intercept, Thrillist, VICE and Vox Media.
ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST
The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO, is a labor union of more than 7,500 members working in film, television, news, podcasts and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit wgaeast.org.
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