Charlotte Landes, Organizing and Bargaining Committee member, and Lucas Oberholtzer, Contract Team member, from the Crooked Media Workers Union, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a recently signed contract with Crooked Media that sets new industry standards.
Los Angeles-based Crooked Media is a progressive media company that produces mostly political and news podcasts. Employees voted to unionize with the Writers Guild of America, East, and in August, signed their first Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Landes, a Senior Audio Engineer at Crooked Media, explained that it was important to protect the employees' jobs while allowing the company to grow. To do this, both sides agreed to develop a public-facing AI policy, she said. Landes hopes this sets a new bar for other unions in the industry.
The union also won language in the contract that stipulates a minimum wage of $80,000 for all new employees, she said. Landes called this an incredible win for the union, especially considering the industry and the region. Additionally, she pointed out there was a ratification raise for all employees to help with the cost of living.
Oberholtzer, an Audience Development Analyst at Crooked Media, explained the importance of establishing a new industry precedent, as the union wanted to create a new industry standard.
To hear more about the Crooked Media Workers Union's new CBA, listen to the episode above.