Support local journalists and media workers

Cascade PBS CEO Rob Dunlop, COO Rebecca Farwell, VP Human Resources Carole Williams

Support Public Media Workers - Fair Contract Now!

Why this matters:

The Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild, which represents Cascade PBS journalists, is currently in negotiations with Cascade PBS to renew our union contract. We are a group of dedicated reporters, editors, filmmakers and podcasters who are fighting for fair wages, better benefits and strong workplace protections. As members of the Cascade PBS Union, we have worked tirelessly to serve our community with high-quality, independent local journalism – and we need our community’s help to win this fight.

We’re asking for:


  • FAIR WAGES that keep up with inflation and cost of living in Seattle and recognize the value journalists bring to our community. Despite their essential role, many of our bargaining unit members struggle to support themselves on their salaries alone and often rely on spouses, partners or roommates just to make ends meet.

  • Better Benefits to ensure employee wellness, security and true work-life balance. We want more PTO so we can take sick time and time away from work when we need it. The company provides only a small guaranteed match to 401K contributions. And we are only guaranteed a minimum of two weeks of severance in the event of a layoff.

  • Fully Paid Parental Leave to better support journalists in their family planning. The company currently does not contribute to paid parental leave – instead fully relying on the state’s Family and Medical Leave policy to provide employees with a partial wage replacement during parental leave. Workers are then expected to use their own PTO (if they have it available) to supplement the remainder of their regular wages. The company has the choice to set a standard in providing a parental leave policy that would allow workers to take the necessary time off with their families without the added financial strain or loss of accrued time off.


Here are the facts: While the company has so far said no to fair wages, better benefits and stronger protections for union members, Cascade PBS’s CEO Rob Dunlop earned nearly 7 times the average salary of a newsroom journalist last year, with a bonus that on its own would make him one of the highest-paid unit members in the newsroom.

It’s time for Cascade PBS to recognize the essential role its journalists play and honor its commitment with a fair contract. Local journalism is vital to an informed community, and the people who make it possible deserve a contract that values their work

Take Action: If you care about the future of local journalism in the Pacific Northwest, please sign your name below and join us in our fight for a fair contract!


Petition by
Cascade PBS Union
Seattle, Washington

To: Cascade PBS CEO Rob Dunlop, COO Rebecca Farwell, VP Human Resources Carole Williams
From: [Your Name]

We sign this petition in support of the Cascade PBS Union and the dedicated reporters, podcasters, videographers, video editors, and producers who continually serve and inform our community with their work.

Cascade PBS has the opportunity to set a better standard for the field of local journalism and public media by truly investing in its employees.

We ask Cascade PBS to commit to:

- FAIR WAGES that keep up with inflation and cost of living in Seattle and recognize the value journalists bring to our community.

- Better benefits to ensure employee wellness and true work-life balance.

- Full Parental Leave to better support journalists in their family planning.

- Strong workplace protections to foster security for journalists.

Without fair pay and benefits, local journalism suffers. Our journalists deserve a contract that reflects their commitment and hard work in serving the community.

We believe it’s time for Cascade PBS to recognize the essential role its employees play and honor their dedication with fair pay and benefits.

Thank you.