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Vox Is Unionizing Just Weeks After A Move Like This Closed Down Two Newsrooms

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Tim Pearce Energy Reporter
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The editorial and video staff of Vox Media network announced Friday they are unionizing under the Writers Guild of America, East, according to an open letter posted online.

The announcement comes just weeks after local news websites DNAinfo and Gothamist were shuttered after both newsrooms successfully unionized. The news sites’ owner Joe Ricketts cited the decision to join a labor union as one of the “obstacle[s] making it harder for the business to be financially successful.”

“By organizing, we intend to protect the nimble culture and inclusive, forward-thinking values that make this company great, and to ensure all concerns and challenges can be addressed by a collective voice,” the Vox staff’s open letter ead. “An empowered team is an ambitious team, and the greater transparency and collaboration offered by a union will allow us to thrive and take risks in an ever-changing industry.”

Discussions between the union and Vox staff have been happening for months. The talks have remained private because of the sensitive nature of the discussions, sources told Business Insider.

One website in the Vox Media system, SB Nation, was criticized after a Deadspin article in August detailed how the site paid managers and contributors low wages while expecting them to produce like full-time employees.

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