ProPublica: Strike Against AI and Working Conditions

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Key Takeaways

1ProPublica's unionized employees have begun a 24-hour strike to protest the use of AI and working conditions.

2The union, formed in 2023, is negotiating protections against layoffs and clauses regarding AI in their collective contract.

3The NewsGuild has filed a complaint for unfair labor practices following ProPublica's unilateral implementation of an AI policy.

💡Why it matters — This strike highlights the growing tensions surrounding the integration of AI in the media and its impacts on employment.

24-Hour Strike at ProPublica

The unionized staff of ProPublica, a leading nonprofit newsroom, has decided to walk off the job for 24 hours starting Wednesday. This action aims to draw attention to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. The 150 members of the ProPublica Guild, formed in 2023, are asking the public to respect a digital picket line.

Employees' Demands

The main issues at stake concern the use of artificial intelligence (AI), layoff conditions, and salaries. Katie Campbell, a member of the ProPublica Guild, stated, “We have been working to resolve this quietly for over two years.” The union voted in March to authorize a strike if no agreement was reached with ProPublica management.

The Impact of AI on Work

One of the major concerns among employees is how generative AI will be used at ProPublica. Many newsroom unions are negotiating AI clauses in their contracts for the first time. ProPublica management has introduced an AI policy, which Mark Olalde, a member of the bargaining committee, described as a “unilateral implementation.” The NewsGuild has filed a complaint for unfair labor practices regarding this policy.

Vague Guidelines on AI

The current guidelines for the use of AI are vague. There is a general agreement that AI is not being used to write, create photos, or videos. However, what is published on the website is all that the company has formalized. The union wants to codify some of these guidelines in an AI article in the contract.

Diversity of Opinions on AI

Within ProPublica, opinions on AI vary. The union represents both editorial staff, such as journalists and editors, as well as staff working in development and product. Some staff members see AI as a way to automate tedious tasks, allowing them to focus on more important projects.

Concerns About AI

Katie Campbell expressed concerns: “I think there are times when it can be used ethically, fairly, and accurately as a tool, but when it starts to replace the work that humans do and the essential functions that can be better performed by humans, I think that’s where some people have difficulties.”

Call for Public Support

Workers are seeking protections against layoffs resulting from AI and want a say in the use of these tools. The union is also requesting public disclosures when AI is used to produce stories. In support of the 24-hour work stoppage, the union is asking readers and audiences not to visit ProPublica, not to click on stories, or to interact with ProPublica content on other platforms and partner organizations. ProPublica management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.