OMGuild

The united workers of Overstory Media Group. #OMGuild

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

A significant majority of eligible employees at Overstory Media Group have voted to unionize with @cwacanada1.

We are taking this official step together, in solidarity, to make our workplaces and our roles within them strong, sustainable, and equitable.

Our statement:

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

Meanwhile, @OverstoryMedia continues to challenge our union effort at the labour board—at significant cost to the company. This doesn't make good financial sense to us.

Dropping its labour board challenges would not only mark a step forward, it also saves money. It's a win-win.

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

Three talented, hard-working OMGuild members lost their jobs at @OverstoryMedia this week. We stand in solidarity them—and continue to call on our executive management to meet with us in good faith as we navigate a path forward. 🧵

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

We're concerned that @OverstoryMedia's executive is not interested in dialogue. Twice in the last month, we have asked for a meeting to chart a path forward together. We have not received a reply.

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

Amid recent terminations at The Coast, Georgia Straight, Burnaby Beacon, and Calgary Citizen, @OverstoryMedia continues to challenge our union effort. We call on them to meet with us in good faith and work toward a shared vision for the company's future. 2/2

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

We, the workers of OMGuild stand in solidarity with our members at The Coast in Halifax, who lost a talented, hard-working colleague to layoffs today. 1/2

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

Lastly, for anyone reconsidering their subscriptions or support of an outlet right now after this week's firings: We're still here, and we need you.

If you believe in our work, please stand with #OMGuild. /5

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

A brief Friday thread: 🧵

Thank you to all who've expressed solidarity with us and our colleagues this week. Your support means the world to us.

There's been, uh, a lot on Twitter. Our focus remains on collaboratively building a sustainable future for all of us at Overstory. /1

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

Our thoughts remain with our terminated colleagues—and also with journalists and media workers everywhere fighting to tell good stories in their community.

If you enjoy somebody's work, please let them know. And let their editors and publishers know. /4

[Martin Bauman (HELL OF A RIDE out now) @martin_bauman]

Why form a union? For me, there are many reasons—it’s the natural path for any media organization that cares for its employees and wants to listen to them.

This is about having a seat at the table and building a sustainable future—one where journalism is at the centre. #OMGuild

[#1 haterade drinker 🌾🇵🇸 @tyelland]

solidarity with the workers at overstory! job security and workplace democracy are crucial for all workers — and they create a solid foundation for important, hard-hitting journalism

[Nina Grossman @NinaGrossman]

Going to repeat what I wrote in the Jan. 26 newsletter, before 4 talented, dedicated journalists were fired:
Local news is vital. Vital to democracy, community, public interest, and culture. It’s vital to the public record, to history, and maybe most importantly, to the future.

[Grace Kennedy @gracekenn]

When OMG launched, I believed it was going to showcase some of the best practices in journalism. Detailed reporting, careful editing, and a considered approach to the news. Having a union is just another way to showcase some industry-wide best practices too.

[Zoë Ducklow @zoeducklow]

If you love local journalism like we do, #standwithomguild and help us fight to protect the work we love. #yyj

[CWA Canada @cwacanada1]

Workers at journalism startup Overstory Media are unionizing with CWA Canada, which today filed for certification with the federal labour board. https://t.co/KE3EKEaja9

[OMGuild @OMGuild_]

Find more information about our #OMGuild union in this press release from @cwacanada1 : https://t.co/L1Lk6BoMDC

[CWA Canada AM @CWA_Canada_AM]

In solidarity with all incredible media workers at @OMGuild_ ✊🏾

Workers deserve their own seat at the table. This is how you do it.

[Alec Lazenby @LazenbyAlec]

Awesome news. Happy to see my former colleagues fight for fair treatment amid the layoffs at @OverstoryMedia.