- Tweets 461
- Following 56
- Followers 2,757
- Likes 501
Pinned Tweet
We’ve spent 15 months bargaining with @MinuteMediaLTD. We’ve reached agreements on some issues, but management’s proposals on wages, medical benefits and AI remain unacceptable.
We’ve upheld and rebuilt SI, and we deserve better. This is what we’re fighting for.
🧵 (1/4)
5
37
97
51,518
We, the editorial staff of Sports Illustrated, are proud to announce that we are forming a union with @nyguild. Over 90% of us have joined the effort to ensure a long and healthy life for this important publication. We ask @MavenCoalition to recognize us now. #RecognizeSIUnion
58
417
2,465
Sports Illustrated employees are concerned about the future of the historic brand.
In the past three hours, over three-quarters of our staff came together to ask ABG and Meredith to save our brand #SaveSI
110
1,048
2,584
Our response to today’s story from @futurism reporting that The Arena Group has published AI-written stories by fake people under the Sports Illustrated name:
88
716
2,219
2,715,699
Newsrooms must amplify voices of color to better cover the systemic racism that led to George Floyd’s death. The layoffs of the last year have left SI with no black staff writers—we are part of the problem. We will bargain for practices to improve our diversity and inclusion.
42
290
1,799
The Players Associations of the NFL, MLB, WNBA, NHLPA, MLS, NWSL and USL all say they're out on Sports Illustrated if it doesn't have its union members.
Read their statement through the AFL-CIO Sports Council below 👇
12
374
1,170
380,611
🚨 SPORTS LABOR NEWS: WE HAVE A DEAL! 🚨
Two years after forming our union with @nyguild, we have agreed on a contract with @SInow and @The_Arena_Group management which, once ratified by our members, will protect our workplace and our journalism.
15
166
879
Today we sent this letter to @MavenCoalition and @SInow management in advance of tomorrow’s bargaining session. We are asking they credit us for our tenures at Sports Illustrated for all purposes in our contract—the basic principle of seniority. They are refusing.
10
83
405
With all due respect, the real 2021 Sportspeople of the Year are the editorial staff of SI, who showed grit, determination and perseverance working this year without a contract. We deserve a fair deal, now.
7
100
359
Today, we sent a letter to our owners and operators at ABG and Maven asking them to take necessary steps to uphold the editorial and ethical standards that have guided SI for decades—our future depends on it: siunion.org/blog/staff-lette…
13
98
217
To ABG, Arena Group, and any future publisher of Sports Illustrated:
We, the members of the Sports Illustrated Union, make this storied publication what it is. No matter what the future holds, we must be a part of it. #WeAreSI
8
87
214
117,484
We have fought tirelessly over the last year to secure the future of our proud publication. We hope today’s change in leadership can be the start of an improved relationship with management—and a better direction for Sports Illustrated.
9
58
211
🚨 We have taken legal action against The Arena Group in the wake of the company’s union-busting and layoffs. Read our full release with @nyguild here: nyguild.org/post/breaking-ne…
4
93
194
68,202
Imagine walking into a room, some individuals after 25+ years of service to a brand, and having a person who was not even the one who chose to terminate your position, telling you coldly your job is gone. After hours and hours of waiting.
#SaveSI
17
78
199
A wage structure with fair minimum salaries for every position and a salary floor of $64,000. Guaranteed 3% yearly raises. The average employee will see a raise of 13% by this April, with some of our most underpaid members getting bumps of 30, 40, even 66%.
2
23
191
We remain outraged that our bosses published AI-generated content under fake bylines and continue to shirk accountability.
The writers, editors, designers, fact-checkers, social and video producers, and others who make up our unit understand the significance of an SI byline.
6
47
175
124,372
We are fighting for a say in @sinow's future, for the job protections that allow us to freely pursue independent journalism, for the editorial standards and integrity that our readers demand and for the diverse and equitable workplace we deserve. #RecognizeSIUnion
2
26
155
Today we’ll present our economic proposal at bargaining.
Without us, there’s no SI. We deserve fair compensation & a workplace where careers can grow.
We are the people who make up Sports Illustrated, and we’ll do whatever it takes to get a fair contract in 2021. #ContractYear
3
35
130
Free-agent eligibility after five seasons and preservation of pitchers hitting in the National League. Sorry, wrong sports labor deal…
1
4
123
Today we return to the table to continue bargaining over wages. Under the status quo, many of us are expected to work long, extended hours w/o extra pay, and sometimes can’t take time off when we need it. Our members share why we are asking for more from @SInow @The_Arena_Group:
1
42
119
We look forward to discussing the future of SI with our new operators at Minute Media
3
49
121
58,727
The past months—which have included a sale, a transfer of our editorial license, a substantial layoff, voluntary departures, the launch of a network of Maven sites, and a halving of our magazine frequency—have been challenging. #RecognizeSIUnion
1
13
102
And as a newsroom, we deserve more: better pay, just-cause protection, an end to the overuse of temporary employees, standard severance, and anti-harassment policies. #RecognizeSIUnion
3
11
101
384 days ago, we launched our campaign to #saveSI. Today we take the important step of beginning to bargain a new contract. This has been a long road, but we will not stop fighting for a stronger, better Sports Illustrated.
3
32
112
But a new union would have been the right thing for us regardless. SI's print staff has been represented by the Guild since the magazine's founding. It is long past time for management to acknowledge that, in this context as in all others, we are one newsroom. #RecognizeSIUnion
2
10
96
In our first bargaining session with management, we presented several important proposals. We look forward to returning to the table—more to come!
7
10
102
Our new bosses have asked us to give them a chance, and we intend to. We share their stated goal of a stronger SI driven by digital growth. Crucially, though, our future success also depends on a collaborative relationship between management and the newsroom. #RecognizeSIUnion
1
8
85
We call on @MavenCoalition to begin that collaboration as soon as possible by recognizing our union immediately. #RecognizeSIUnion
1
8
83
Maven told us at the table that they gained no value from the work we did before they took over in 2019. We—the people who write, edit, fact-check, design, produce and photograph the journalism that generations of subscribers have turned to—are insulted.
4
15
96
Earlier tonight, our unit met and voted unanimously to ratify this deal—we’ve got a contract! 🔒📝
🚨 SPORTS LABOR NEWS: WE HAVE A DEAL! 🚨
Two years after forming our union with @nyguild, we have agreed on a contract with @SInow and @The_Arena_Group management which, once ratified by our members, will protect our workplace and our journalism.
6
16
86
One of our union’s most important fights is pushing management to make our newsroom more representative of the world we cover—by not only seeking diverse voices, but also supporting and amplifying them. We want to share our efforts to address this critical issue.
7
31
95
For more, read our mission statement: siunion.org #RecognizeSIUnion
1
10
76
We are united. We are resolute. We are hopeful that SI's best days are ahead of us. And we are ready to get to work shaping our future. #RecognizeSIUnion
1
8
76
Seems like there was going to be some sort of event tonight. A nice bright poster to celebrate it.
Hosting an event after a large amount of your staff is let go? The sign is now down.
#SaveSI
6
27
83
A ban on production quotas, and a ban on discipline based on clicks or likes. This will ensure that we can continue to focus on producing the best journalism for our readers.
2
5
75
Today SI management laid off 17 of our coworkers, including 12 from our union. These are valued, productive and talented colleagues who should not have been let go. We will fight for them and continue to fight for the future of Sports Illustrated ✊
9
27
81
23,694
It wouldn’t have been possible without the support we’ve had from our subscribers, readers and allies in the labor movement and beyond. With our gratitude, here is some of what we’ve earned 🧵
2
6
67
Maven has cut SI staff while expanding a contractor model that’s exploitative & antithetical to sound journalism. We believe SI’s coverage should come from full-time journalists, but so long as this contributor network exists, Maven should provide fair pay/set uniform standards.
2
15
63
It’s our one-year anniversary! ✊
Our union went public one year ago today. We’re proud of what we have accomplished together in our first year, but our work continues. This year, we will fight for and win a fair contract—one that protects our newsroom & the future of SI.
8
74
Today we meet with @MavenCoalition leadership to discuss voluntary recognition of our union. Thanks to all of our readers and peers for your support as we fight for the future of @sinow. We hope to be able to report back with positive news. #RecognizeSIUnion
3
21
69
Full credit for our time served at SI under previous operators, including time we spent as subcontractors.
2
5
66
"If management replaces the brand’s full-time unionized workforce, Sports Illustrated will no longer be Sports Illustrated." #WeAreSI✊
Sports Illustrated is nothing without its editorial staff.
The AFL-CIO Sports Council, representing 8 professional players' unions, fully supports @si_union in their fight against Arena Group, which has sent layoff notices to every single union member but none to top management.
4
26
65
20,435
We know the value of every day we have poured into SI. This is why more than 90% of the newsroom signed this letter. We demand a fair procedure and fair severance if there are layoffs and that the years of work we have devoted to Sports Illustrated be recognized.
12
59
“Today’s obliteration of Sports Illustrated’s storied newsroom and the union busting tactics is the last straw. These actions and the inaction of this board are illegal, riddled with self-dealing, and will almost certainly lead to shareholder lawsuits.” —former CEO Ross Levinsohn
Here’s Ross Levinsohn’s resignation letter to Sports Illustrated owner Arena Group. sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/…
1
23
51
33,995
Just cause, no exceptions! Layoff procedures that include a volunteer process and recall rights if your job opens back up. A severance policy that guarantees two weeks of pay per year of service.
3
3
56
Or from this story, which resulted in an NFL owner selling his team? (Jon Wertheim, 25 years) si.com/nfl/2017/12/17/jerry-…
1
4
57
Staffers at SI and Maven have been concerned about how dangerous this site is and how it violates our own internal policies for a long time. Friday, we came together collectively to demand it be deplatformed from Maven. thedailybeast.com/staff-call…
3
28
51
Important protections for work-life balance, including a 40-hour workweek and a procedure for ensuring we can take the vacation we need under the company’s unlimited PTO policy.
2
2
54
No value from work like this? (Michael Rosenberg, 9 years) si.com/golf/2019/04/15/tiger…
1
4
57
We’re excited to put this contract into force and raise standards industry-wide. Again, thank you all for your support! 💪👏🙌
1
2
54
Or from this reporting, the first window into the Astros’ toxic culture? (Stephanie Apstein, 10 years) si.com/mlb/2019/10/22/housto…
1
4
53
A rule that at least 50% of applicants for union-covered jobs who make it to interviews with a hiring manager every year will come from traditionally underrepresented groups. Plus, a $50,000 budget for the company’s diversity committee.
2
3
52
Or from this Sportsperson of the Year cover story? (Jenny Vrentas, 8 years) si.com/sportsperson/2019/12/…
1
4
50
Today we had our second bargaining session with Maven management. This was an important day because we presented two vital proposals on equal opportunity and inclusion, and editorial integrity.
3
15
51
We stand with the more than 250 @InsiderUnion journalists who are on ULP strike! Members across the @nyguild stand strong together ✊✊✊
@hblodget @nichcarlson it is time to stop breaking the law and settle a fair union contract!
1
16
45
4,423
No value from this exposé, which changed baseball forever (Tom Verducci, 28 years)? vault.si.com/vault/2002/06/0…
1
3
45
Proud to support @newyorkerunion tonight in standing up for the fair contract they deserve. ✊
1
7
42
This is an important and eye-opening campaign by @RingerUnion. Fair wages are a fundamental part of building more equitable newsrooms.
This week, we’re sharing stories from current & former Ringer staffers about the importance of fair wages. It’s not only difficult to pay for living essentials on an entry-level Ringer salary—it’s also difficult to secure a raise no matter how well the employee or company does.
2
12
43
We learned this week that Maven will be ending the pay cuts it implemented in June. We are pleased that management has responded to some of our concerns and look forward to addressing other outstanding workplace issues as we prepare to begin contract bargaining.
17
43
From this cover story? (Rohan Nadkarni, 6 years) si.com/nba/2019/04/03/dwyane…
1
3
39
A Daily Beast article Monday described Maven’s troubling decision to hire and retain a contractor as an NFL team-site reporter despite his record of criminal sexual misconduct. We have repeatedly raised concerns about the insufficient vetting and oversight of these contributors.
1
11
33
We are pleased to report that we are a recognized union as of April 17. We are ready to elect our NewsGuild Unit Council, form our bargaining committee, and begin bargaining.
3
4
33
Happy Labor Day to all workers, and especially to our colleagues across @nyguild, who will never stop fighting for each other and for the future of our industry. ✊
6
38
We want to continue producing the work that has long distinguished SI. But we cannot excel if the work published under the SI name and those hired to produce that work are not held to the standards expected by our audience and the athletes and teams we cover. We must act now.
2
5
34
From this cover story and documentary? (Greg Bishop, 7 years) si.com/nhl/2019/03/07/logan-…
1
3
33
Or from SI’s first Emmy-winning piece? (Gary Gramling, 16.5 years) si.com/longform/sportskid/in…
1
3
32
At last: People who know how to pitch at Fenway. We stand with @BostonNewsGuild as they demand a fair contract. #FairnessAtFenway
18
31
We received notice from the company that it is taking “definitive action” today. We are holding Maven to its commitment to shut down the “Blue Lives Matter” site and the racism and hate speech it promotes.
1
4
29
Since our mentions have been full of comments asking whether our work is created by AI, we want to distance what we do from the AI-generated product reviews that appeared elsewhere on our site.
Some examples of work we produced in 2023 that we’re proud to put our names on 🧵
3
12
28
13,231
No value from this accountability journalism? (Chris Chavez, 6 years) si.com/.amp/track-and-field/…
1
3
30
We stand in solidarity with @wiredunion as they walk off the job with conviction today. Recognition of their union—including all of their editorial employees—is long overdue.
Today, @wiredunion is holding a half-day work stoppage to protest @condenast’s inexcusable delays in recognizing us and their attempts to bust our union by carving out multiple groups of @wired editorial staff from our bargaining unit.
9
30
“SI still means something.” – @jon_wertheim ✊✊✊
Sports Illustrated maintained its reputation for decades as an iconic source of athletic news consumed by millions. Now, as the magazine contends with an uncertain future, Jon Wertheim makes a case for its comeback ahead of #SBLVIII. cbsn.ws/3wk5fDo
2
9
30
4,486
"Our best chance at a collaborative, strong future involves voluntary recognition."
washingtonpost.com/sports/20…
8
28
About one-third of us have had to take on additional work to help cover the cost of living in our city. This is why we are fighting for higher minimum salaries, non-discretionary annual wage increases and overtime compensation.
2
3
24
Congratulations and welcome, @nydnunion!
9
26
We are joining with TNG-CWA members in stopping work for the next 8 minutes, 46 seconds, the length of time George Floyd fought for his life. We are taking this time to stop, reflect and stand against racism and police violence. #CWAforBlackLives
1
3
25
We also call upon management to designate a seat for the SI Union, to be filled by a representative of our choosing, on the new “editorial board” created as part of a recent agreement between Maven and ABG.
1
3
23
Solidarity with the @newyorkerunion as they fight for a fair contract, with fair and equitable wages. These workers make the New Yorker what it is, and today they’re reminding management of the value of their work. ✊
Today, the New Yorker Union is undertaking a twenty-four-hour work stoppage in protest of @newyorker management's egregious wage proposal. Our statement: newyorkerunion.com
1
9
23
Maven must provide a transparent account of the process followed when alerted to his record of misconduct. If such protocols are not in place/were not followed, Maven should explain why and negotiate them with us. Maven also must also explain his current employment status.
1
5
24
We’re back at the bargaining table today with more stories from our members, showing why @SInow @The_Arena_Group need to agree to a contract that will give us the work-life balance and pay we deserve:
3
21
20
A little more insight into what we were trying to avoid.
We will keep up the fight to #SaveSI
2
8
21
Bosses wear Prada, workers won’t accept nada… and this is the result.
Congrats @newyorkerunion and thank you for fighting not just for your newsroom, but for all of us. ✊
BREAKING: We have averted a strike! After more than two and a half years of negotiations, @newyorkerunion, @p4kunion, and @ars_union are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement in principle on our first contracts. Here are some of our wins:
1
18
Our newsroom does not reflect the sports world we cover. SI has long been run almost exclusively by white men; we have no people of color in any senior leadership roles in the newsroom. We are dedicated to changing that.
1
1
17
This one’s a little too real 😬
Jeff Bezos Assures Amazon Employees That HR Working 100 Hours A Week To Address Their Complaints bit.ly/3qqEyVi
2
19
✊✊✊
After 20 months of negotiations, enough is enough: Today, more than 1,000 @NYTimesGuild members pledged to walk out if @nytimes does not agree to a complete and fair contract by Dec. 8.
1
5
12
✊✊✊
Over 400 of our members have walked off the job over @CondeNast’s unlawful handling of layoff negotiations and bad-faith bargaining. Instead of covering the #Oscars2024 nominations, we’ll be out at the picket line.
1
3
18
4,469
After hearing our testimonials last time, management told us they are committed to not letting those experiences continue. But until they’re willing to make that commitment in our contract, those are just empty words.
6
15
.@MeredithCorp must stop its unlawful union-busting. We stand in solidarity with our former colleagues @MeredithUnion
So we acted together, sending this petition to management. Again we were ignored. Meredith must pay us what we are owed. We stand together as one Meredith Union. #KeepYourPromisesMeredith
1
9
18