Journalists at Schneps papers unionize

More than two dozen editorial workers at the largest local print news chain in New York City have launched a union drive, calling for livable wages, affordable health care and stronger workplace and editorial protections in a campaign that has already won the public support of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Approximately 30 reporters, editors and production workers staffing media outlets owned by Schneps Media announced June 15 that they are forming the Schneps Media Union with the Independent Association of Publishers' Employees, Local 1096 of The NewsGuild of New York, a subsidiary of the Communications Workers of America. According to the union, 85 percent of eligible employees have signed union authorization cards and 81 percent signed a public mission statement supporting the effort.

In its mission statement, the union argues that Schneps Media has become "an increasingly rare and critical role in the New York City and Long Island media landscape" as local news outlets continue to disappear. Workers argued that stronger workplace protections would help the company retain journalists and better serve the communities its publications cover.

The organizing campaign covers employees across Schneps Media's network of community publications in New York City and Long Island, including amNewYork, the Brooklyn Paper, the Bronx Times, Brownstoner, QNS, Noticias, New York Family, Staten Island Parent, Caribbean Life, Long Island Press and Dan's Papers.

Cameryn Oakes, deputy managing editor for the Nassau News division of the Long Island Press, said employees want a workplace where journalists are "valued and celebrated," arguing that improved pay, benefits and working conditions would also reinforce the organization's commitment to journalistic integrity.

QNS reporter Shane O'Brien said the company's reporters are often stretched thin despite providing a unique and increasingly rare role in the media landscape. 

"Forming a union will help ensure that we are supported in our roles, earn a living wage and have a say in editorial standards at Schneps," O'Brien said.

In statements announcing the organizing drive, workers said unionizing would help improve pay so they can continue to provide high-quality local journalism.

Seeking voluntary recognition

The union has asked CEO and publisher Josh Schneps and publisher Victoria Schneps to voluntarily recognize the bargaining unit so negotiations for a first union contract can begin.

In an emailed response to the request from the union for a face-to-face meeting with management and voluntary recognition of the Schneps Media Union, Josh Schneps did not directly respond, but wrote that workers "filed a petition with the NLRB and we are cooperating with that process."

The workers' public announcement of their union drive drew near-immediate support from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who praised the journalists' work in a June 16 social media post.

"Schneps reporters do crucial work covering our neighborhoods and holding power to account," Mamdani wrote. "Many of the journalists who document the challenges New Yorkers face are struggling to afford life here themselves."

He added that he was "proud to stand in solidarity with the unionized Schneps reporters as they organize for a livable wage, affordable health care, and the dignity every worker deserves."

According to the union, the campaign comes partly as a response to concerts with retaining workers with 16 employees leaving the company's news division over the past year. Organizers say they are seeking competitive wages, affordable health care, transparent promotion and raise procedures, responsible staffing levels, clearly defined job responsibilities and stronger editorial standards.

The NewsGuild represents roughly 27,000 journalists, media workers and nonprofit employees nationwide. IAPE Local 1096 represents nearly 6,000 media workers throughout the New York metropolitan area.

"Schneps Media reporters can do a lot with a little, but we shouldn't have to," said Kirstyn Brendlen, digital editor at Brooklyn Paper. "With better pay, benefits, resources and editorial standards, we'll be better equipped to do what we love, providing hyperlocal news to the communities that rely on us."