Employees at the nonprofit have staged their first-ever 24-hour work stoppage. The unionized employees at ProPublica, a prominent nonprofit newsroom, commenced a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, urging the public to support a digital picket line. Approximately 150 members of the ProPublica Guild are negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, having unionized in 2023. Critical issues include AI usage, “just cause” provisions for discipline or dismissal, layoff protections, and wages. Guild member Katie Campbell stated, “We’ve been attempting to resolve this quietly for over two years. This action highlights the significance of these issues to those who create this work.”
In March, the union authorized a strike if no agreement with management was reached. A major concern is the future use of generative AI at ProPublica, including disclosure to audiences. Many newsroom unions are incorporating AI language into contracts for the first time. ProPublica management’s recent AI policy, described by bargaining committee member Mark Olalde as “unilateral implementation,” led to an unfair labor practice charge by the NewsGuild. Olalde noted, “The guidelines are somewhat vague—we’re not using AI for writing or creating media presently. What’s currently written on the website is the most formal documentation, which is why we’re pushing for AI-related contract provisions.”
Different newsrooms are adopting AI in varied ways. The New York Times has used AI to analyze Jeffrey Epstein-related documents; ProPublica used AI in investigating the rollback of diversity programs at nonprofits. Conversely, a Fortune editor has produced hundreds of AI-written stories. Opinions on AI usage in the workforce vary among ProPublica staff, represented by the union, including roles in editorial, development, and product sectors. Some see AI as a means to automate repetitive tasks, allowing focus on major projects. Campbell added, “There are circumstances where AI can be an ethically and accurately used tool, but replacing human work and core functions is concerning for some.”
Workers primarily seek protection against AI-triggered layoffs and desire a role in the evolving use of AI tools as the industry advances. Public disclosure when AI contributes to stories is also a priority. During the strike, the union asks readers to refrain from engaging with ProPublica content across all platforms. ProPublica management did not immediately comment.