Labor Unrest at The Atlantic

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Labor Unrest at The Atlantic

Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg and CEO Nicholas Thompson

The Atlantic is in a state of labor unrest. The unionized workers of The Atlantic have been bargaining for more than two years now, but management refuses to agree to Just Cause, No Exceptions—an essential labor protection that prevents workers from being arbitrarily fired or disciplined.

Just Cause is a basic worker protection and an industry standard. It guarantees due process, promotes fairness and accountability, and creates consistent, transparent standards for employees. It also provides workers recourse, protects them from the whims of managers, and empowers them to speak up about things like salary disparities and editorial missteps without fear of retaliation.

The Atlantic says democracy is the most important issue in America today, but when it comes to staffers having a say in their workplace, the company says something very different. Company reps say that it’s important to cultivate a sense of belonging in the workplace, but they want the right to lay off anyone for any reason, without explanation. We’re told to center the force of original ideas in our journalism, and yet management won't commit to simple safeguards against artificial intelligence to keep human thinking at the center of our work.

Stand with us and tell The Atlantic we deserve a fair contract!

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The NewsGuild of New York

To: Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg and CEO Nicholas Thompson
From: [Your Name]

I am dismayed to learn of The Atlantic’s intransigence while negotiating with its unionized workforce. I support the workers in their fight to win just cause, no exceptions, in their labor contract, along with a fair layoff process and job protections from AI. I will be monitoring the situation between the union and the company, and hope you do the right thing.

Your workers make The Atlantic possible. They make the magazine, website, newsletters, events, and revenue possible. I urge you to grant them their demands for fair contracts, so they can remain focused on making the best magazine in America.

Sincerely,