MLB Advanced Media editorial workers form union under Writers Guild of America East
Editorial workers at MLB Advanced Media, the league's media arm, have unionized under the Writers Guild of America East, according to a report by The Athletic. The new union represents 127 employees, including producers who post and edit content for news stories and social media channels in multiple languages. MLB acknowledged the union's formation and stated it worked cooperatively with the WGAE to identify the appropriate bargaining unit. Notably, beat writers and national columnists employed by MLB Advanced Media are not included in the newly formed union, though neither MLB nor the WGAE explained why.
In what is being described as "a first for a major U.S. sports league," editorial workers at MLB's central office have formed a union under the Writers Guild of America East
Why it matters
For brands: MLB must now manage a second set of labor negotiations simultaneously with its more prominent player collective bargaining discussions.
For media: Editorial workers at MLB's media arm now have collective bargaining rights, which could provide job protections during any work stoppage caused by ongoing player labor negotiations.
Read the full story at Yahoo Sports
Sources
- Yahoo Sports: A new union emerges: MLB faces second labor negotiation ahead of lockout
- Awful Announcing · Drew Lerner: MLB media employees unionize under Writers Guild of America