Unionized staff at the renowned non-profit news organization ProPublica launched a 24-hour strike on Wednesday. This marks the first time in the organization's history that employees have taken such collective action, aimed at pressuring management to address key demands in ongoing contract negotiations.
The ProPublica union, which represents about 150 members including editors, reporters, and product developers, has been pushing for stronger labor protections since its formation in 2023. The core disputes center on guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence, layoff protections, and salary structures.
The Battle Over AI Usage
The primary catalyst for the strike is management’s policy regarding the disclosure and implementation of generative AI. Mark Olalde, a member of the union’s bargaining committee, stated that the AI policies recently introduced by management were "unilaterally implemented" without adequate consideration of staff input. The NewsGuild, which represents the employees, has reportedly filed an unfair labor practice charge against management over the issue.
Olalde noted that while the company has pledged not to use AI to write articles or generate images for now, these promises lack legal weight. "We want to get these guardrails into our contract to ensure that the use of AI is transparent and accountable," he said.
In response, ProPublica spokesperson Alexis Stephens stated that the company is committed to reaching a fair and sustainable contract. She noted that the long-term impact of AI remains uncertain, and the company prefers to explore the technology’s potential to assist in deep-dive investigative reporting rather than issuing a blanket ban.
Union member Katie Campbell emphasized that staff are not entirely opposed to AI, but are concerned about the technology potentially replacing core human functions. "We believe AI can be a useful tool in certain instances, but when it begins to replace professional human work, that is where we draw the line," Campbell said.
Beyond the AI issue, the union is demanding that the contract include "just cause" termination clauses and stronger protections against layoffs. The union noted that members voted to authorize strike action back in March should negotiations fail to produce an agreement.
During the strike, the union called on the public to support their "digital picket line" by refraining from visiting the ProPublica website, clicking on its content, or engaging with the organization on other platforms for the 24-hour duration. Labor negotiations between the two sides are ongoing.