What's Happening?
Eighty-nine percent of University of Chicago Press workers have voted to unionize with the Chicago News Guild TNG-CWA Local 34071. This marks the first union in the publisher's 130-year history, comprising 134 onsite and hybrid staffers across most departments.
The unionization effort was driven by concerns over job security, growth potential, and the impact of generative AI on job security and professional integrity. The union's formation follows a wave of organizing in the publishing industry, inspired by similar efforts at Oxford University Press and Duke University Press.
Why It's Important?
The unionization of University of Chicago Press workers reflects a broader trend in the publishing industry towards collective bargaining for better working conditions. This move could lead to improved job security, equitable pay, and better working conditions for employees. It also highlights the growing concern over the impact of technology, such as AI, on job security. The successful unionization could inspire other workers in the industry to organize, potentially leading to significant changes in labor relations within the publishing sector.
What's Next?
Following the certification of the election results by the NLRB, the University of Chicago Press will begin bargaining in good faith with the newly formed union. The union aims to negotiate a contract that ensures a sustainable and equitable workplace. The outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for other publishing houses and influence labor practices across the industry.
