ABC News digital employees unanimously voted to unionize. The vote expands union representation across ABC News.
What We Know: Employees at ABC News’ digital division voted unanimously to join the Writers Guild of America East following an agreement with management on the recognition process. The approximately 50-member bargaining unit includes digital reporters, editors, video producers, and social media producers working across ABCNews.com and the network’s social platforms. The union election was counted on Friday, July 31. WGA East already represents unionized employees across the network’s television operations and said both sides held productive discussions leading to voluntary recognition. Digital employees also said they want a voice as the news industry continues evolving and noted they’ll join hundreds of ABC News broadcast colleagues and thousands of other Disney employees already represented by unions.
What They Said: “The WGAE has represented unionized workers at ABC News since the 1960s. We appreciate that management engaged in productive conversations for recognition, and we look forward to winning union protections for ABC News’ digital staff.” -WGAE President Tom Fontana
What Remains Unclear: Neither the company nor the union has outlined a timeline for negotiating a first collective bargaining agreement. It’s also unknown which workplace priorities will top the bargaining agenda beyond securing union protections. Additionally, ABC News hasn’t publicly detailed how the new bargaining unit could affect newsroom operations or future staffing decisions.
What It Means: The unanimous vote reflects continued labor organizing across digital media as employees seek a greater role in shaping workplace policies during a rapidly changing industry. Because WGA East already represents many ABC News television employees, the addition of digital staff creates broader union representation under one organization. The move also adds to the union’s growing footprint across broadcast, cable, streaming, radio, and digital news organizations.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.