Workers in the nonfiction entertainment division of RadicalMedia are seeking representation from the Writers Guild of America East.
The guild revealed the organizing effort in a memo Wednesday, with an “overwhelming majority” of the 65-member bargaining unit in support. The WGAE also called for voluntary recognition from management at RadicalMedia, which has produced documentaries including Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, What Happened, Miss Simone? and Hollywood Black.
The decision to organize “reflects our collective commitment to fostering a collaborative, equitable, and respectful work environment that aligns with RadicalMedia’s core values and aspirations: using storytelling in radical new ways to create a more fair and equitable world,” the newly formed union’s members wrote in an open letter on Wednesday.
In the letter, workers explained that they hope to achieve contract language around workplace conditions, as well as job security and comprehensive benefits. The goal is also to “create pathways for open and honest dialogue with management” and access professional growth opportunities.
“We see our decision to unionize as an affirmative step toward strengthening our existing relationship with members of management in cooperative and mutually beneficial ways. It is also an opportunity for us to work together more effectively, ensuring a prosperous future for our team and RadicalMedia as a whole,” the letter continued. “We strongly believe in the messages at the heart of the stories we tell – of triumphs in the face of adversity and oppression – and we want RadicalMedia to be a place that allows us to flourish, so we can maximize the impact of this important work.”
RadicalMedia’s organizing efforts follow that of A+E Factual Studios, which declared its intent to organize with the WGAE last month. The union also represents nonfiction production companies like BSTV Entertainment, Jigsaw, Lion, NBC News Service (f.k.a. Peacock), McGee Media, Sharp, Story Syndicate and Vox Entertainment.
“Management at RadicalMedia must respect their workers and recognize their union without delay or interference,” said WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement . “Nonfiction television and film workers deserve contracts worthy of their hard work and the enormous value they bring to their sector of the entertainment industry.”
