ProPublica’s union authorizes the first U.S. newsroom strike over AI protections

On March 20, members of the ProPublica Guild, one of the largest nonprofit newsroom unions in the U.S., overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. Out of the roughly 150 journalists, copyediters, videographers, and other newsroom workers in the Guild, 92% of members voted to walk off the job if ProPublica doesn’t agree to their contract terms in the coming weeks. This marks the first time a major U.S. newsroom has authorized a strike, at least in part, over AI protections.

The vote comes two and a half years into negotiations over the Guild’s first collective bargaining agreement, which started soon after the union was recognized back in August 2023. One of the sticking points at the bargaining table has been an article that would prohibit ProPublica from laying off employees due to AI adoption. Alongside the dispute over AI, the Guild is also pushing for “just cause” when firing union members, a provision that would give senior employees more job security during layoffs, and cost-of-living wage increases.

Susan DeCarava, the president of the NewsGuild of New York, confirmed that, to her knowledge, no unit of The NewsGuild-CWA has previously faced or taken a strike over AI language. “Frankly, this fight over the use of AI in the ProPublica newsroom demonstrates that it’s the workers who are the heart of this journalistic enterprise, and who will fight to preserve it,” said DeCarava. “It’s a real shame, and a head-scratcher, that ProPublica management isn’t jumping at the opportunity to reassure donors and readers that they are just as committed as we are to human-reported and produced journalism.”

In a statement to Nieman Lab, Tyson Evans, the chief product and brand officer at ProPublica, said the newsroom is approaching the question of AI responsibly. However, the union members argue that ProPublica’s use of AI threatens their jobs and the integrity of journalism. The strike authorization follows a long history of labor struggles in the media industry, where workers have fought to maintain their livelihoods and protect the quality of news.

The ProPublica Guild’s decision to strike highlights the growing concerns about the impact of AI on journalism and the need for protections in the workplace. As AI continues to evolve, the debate over its role in journalism will likely intensify, with workers demanding greater control and safeguards to ensure that the human element of reporting remains intact.

The upcoming negotiations between the ProPublica Guild and the newsroom management will be closely watched by the media industry and labor unions alike. The outcome of these talks could set a precedent for how AI is integrated into journalistic practices and how workers are protected in the face of technological advancements.

In the meantime, the ProPublica Guild remains committed to its members and the fight for fair treatment in the digital age. The union’s determination to strike over AI protections underscores the importance of collective bargaining and the need for sustainable practices in journalism that prioritize human contributors.

As the debate over AI in journalism continues, the ProPublica Guild’s strike authorization serves as a reminder that the future of news depends on the voices and expertise of its human workers. The union’s stand for fair treatment and job security in the face of technological change could inspire other media outlets to reconsider their approaches to AI and the role of human journalists in an increasingly automated world.