Sign in

Chicago Reader Union

@chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social
225 followers 71 following 29 posts

Official editorial union of the Chicago Reader, organizing with @chicagonewsguild.bsky.social. Established 2015.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Marketplace Union @marketplaceunion.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Every single member of our union signed this petition we delivered to Marketplace management today. Their current proposals related to pay are unacceptable. We deserve better.
0128
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
a guy ignores a woman labeled “management’s concessionary proposals” in favor of looks another woman labeled “a contract that protects work-life balance and guarantees a living wage.”
0143
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
bcinchicago.bsky.social @bcinchicago.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
We are so incredibly blessed to have the Chicago Reader. Support the union!
161
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
a guy ignores a woman labeled “management’s concessionary proposals” in favor of looks another woman labeled “a contract that protects work-life balance and guarantees a living wage.”
0143
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
we’re headed back to the bargaining table today to continue fighting for a fair contract 🐀 hope to have some good news to share soon. thanks to everyone who’s supported us so far.
a bus is parked on train tracks. the bus is labeled “management’s anti worker proposals.” the bus is smashed by an oncoming train labeled “the love and support of my comrades and community.”
2376
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
management be like
drake turns away in disgust from “maintaining longstanding benefits while paying employees a living wage.”

drake points and smiles in delight at “longer work days and half as much sick time.”
15114
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
management be like
drake turns away in disgust from “maintaining longstanding benefits while paying employees a living wage.”

drake points and smiles in delight at “longer work days and half as much sick time.”
15114
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Sarah Lazare @sarahlazare.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Wow this is outrageous. Yikes! Really cruel to cut sick time, for parents and for everyone.
053
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
shawn @mulchy.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
hi have you emailed my boss about sick time yet?
actionnetwork.org
Tell Noisy Creek the Chicago Reader Union deserves a fair contract
We, the Chicago Reader Union, have been bargaining a new contract with Noisy Creek management since February 2026. Despite our sacrifices and dedication, management has consistently put forward propo...
02015
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
David Zoltan (he/they) @wonkicorn.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I'm supporting the Chicago Reader Union. So should you. This will take you literally no more than 2 minutes. #UnionStrong
111
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
*cough cough* management has proposed cutting our sick time in half—to just six days a year. some of our members shared what it would mean to agree to noisy creek's sick time proposal 🧵
almost 20% of the union are parents to young children. management's proposal would make working at the reader nearly impossible for parents.
24519
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Daniella @daniellamazzio.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
My good friends at the Chicago Reader (cc: @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social) are being offered contract proposals that would strip away long-held benefits. Having just won the dang paper a *dang award,* I sent a letter to management. Join me in showing solidarity! actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
actionnetwork.org
Tell Noisy Creek the Chicago Reader Union deserves a fair contract
We, the Chicago Reader Union, have been bargaining a new contract with Noisy Creek management since February 2026. Despite our sacrifices and dedication, management has consistently put forward propo...
34419
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
More than 500 people have sent letters in support of @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social. Can we double that by the end of the weekend? It takes less than a minute to send a letter to management on our behalf.
05131
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
shawn @mulchy.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
y’all have helped us send more than 500 emails to our bosses demanding they offer us what we’re worth 🥹 can we get to 600 this weekend?
actionnetwork.org
Tell Noisy Creek the Chicago Reader Union deserves a fair contract
We, the Chicago Reader Union, have been bargaining a new contract with Noisy Creek management since February 2026. Despite our sacrifices and dedication, management has consistently put forward propo...
082
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Elsa Hiltner @elsahiltner.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
As the centerfold of @chicagoreader.com's Sex Issue, I want you to know about the @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social negotiations the staff are in, and how you can support fair working conditions at one of our city's most vital cultural institutions. Sign the letter: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
actionnetwork.org
Tell Noisy Creek the Chicago Reader Union deserves a fair contract
We, the Chicago Reader Union, have been bargaining a new contract with Noisy Creek management since February 2026. Despite our sacrifices and dedication, management has consistently put forward propo...
141
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Thank you to everyone who's sent a letter or shared our post! We're blown away by the outpouring of support. 🐀 We're less than 40 letters away from sending 500 to management. Can you help us get there by the end of the day?
075
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Jamie Ludwig @jamieludwig.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Last year, the Reader Union helped the paper survive a crisis that nearly shut us down, taking paycuts, furloughs, and working long hours and outside gigs. Now, management is proposing a contract that would cut longstanding benefits and pay us less than workers at its other papers.
041
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
lou @wanlittlehusk.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Proud to be an alt-weekly baby. These jobs put food on the table for me as a kid, but without a dedicated staff given the time and resources to do their job, they are worth absolutely nothing. actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
Baby Lou held by Seattle Weekly employee mom on the picket line against the Seattle Times/PI in 2000
1111
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Laurie! Live! @laurie-merrell.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
sent a letter! The Reader is invaluable because of its workers
053
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Lilly Wachowski @lillywachowski.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Signed
812726
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The Reader union is in the middle of contract negotiations, and we could use your support.
19856
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Katie Prout @katieprout.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
I took a furlough for this paper when I was 6 months pregnant. The story I pushed out before I pushed out my kid recently took 1st place for long form features in the 2026 AAN Awards. Still, Noisy Creek wants to pay me (& my Reader comrades) less than our peers at the other outlets they own. 🤔
24814
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The Chicago Reader Union has been bargaining w/ Noisy Creek since February. In that time, management has consistently offered proposals that would cut longstanding benefits in exchange for meager pay raises. We need YOU to tell Noisy Creek we deserve better! 🧵 🔗: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
July 16, 2026
union rat's log

TELL NOISY CREEK WE DESERVE BETTER.

Noisy Creek management wants us to ...

-Work longer hours
-Take fewer sick days
-And work in-office

all while offering us lower wages than other newspapers they own.

Join us in demanding a fair contract!
313680
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
ps: share to show ur support <3<3
065
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
6.24.26 union rat's log this morning, the reader union returns to the table with noisy creek management. noisy creek's recent counterproposals suggest many policies & benefits worse than our current contract. but we know our worth, & we won't accept unnecessary concessions. ttyl, union rat <3
on a red background, a blue angry rat holes a reporter's notebook with the reader R on it in yellow
03811
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Katie Prout @katieprout.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
It's raining so hard today that the MWRD has issued an Overflow Action Alert! Please conserve water usage to reduce water in sewers! Also! Follow @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social, & read the rat log below to catch up on what we sacrificed last year to keep the Reader alive. It's new contract time 😎
185
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
The Reader’s union is in the middle of negotiating a new contract with our new owners, updates will be shared on the union account
0122
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
last year was tumultuous, to say the least, but the work of my union made me proud to be a union rat. thank you everyone for reading my rat log. pls reshare so others can follow along and learn how to support my comrades and i if/when we need it. more soon! yr friend, union rat
bright blue background, red and black text. 

june 17, 2026
union rat's log

what happened last year?

screenshots of story headlines: "with chicago reader at 'imminent risk of closure' staff works to cut costs, find donors. after six non-union staffers were laid off, the alt-weekly is trying to increase donor outreach and crowdfunding, and some staff have offered pay cuts or deferred compensation."

chicago news: "chicago reader at 'imminent risk of closure' "

media and marketing: "chicago reader, facing 'imminent risk of closure' undergoes layoffs."yellow background, black text, with images of a blue rat holding a notebook on the righthand side of the page.

in january 2025, we found out the reader was in the red. the union mobilized quickly to save our jobs and the paper. 

of 20 unit members at the time, 13 took immediate furloughs or temporary pay cuts.yellow background, black text, with images of a blue rat holding a notebook on the bottom of the page.

all unit members agreed to delay a contractually mandated five percent raise for a period of seven months.

voluntary reductions in unit salaries totaled $157,531 in 2025. 

that's 12.1 percent of the total salary owed to unit members. yellow background, black text, with images of a lare blue rat holding a notebook on the bottom right hand corner of the page.

let's hope or new employer, noisy creek, takes these sacrifices into account at the bargaining table.

more soon,
union rat
0123
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
ProPublica workers are fighting for a contract that includes “just cause” job security, a fair & transparent disciplinary process, union steward representation, & guardrails around AI use. To all this, management has said NO. Support our journo siblings on strike today! See how below: 👇
0105
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 07/04/2026
4/ To learn more about our fight and how to support us, visit our website: www.propublicaguild.org
propublicaguild.org
ProPublica Guild
1237
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 07/04/2026
3/ Management has put itself on the wrong side of this issue. Recently, we joined 17 unions representing nonprofit newsrooms and their contributors to call for a set of common-sense guardrails around AI in journalism: cnnu.org
2406
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 07/04/2026
2/ They have refused contract language that would shield workers from AI-related layoffs, provide us meaningful input on AI usage and mandate that any future AI-generated content be clearly labeled.
1347
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 07/04/2026
1/ After 28 months of bargaining our first contract, @propublica.org management continues to take unacceptable positions on the issue of artificial intelligence.
29437
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Corli Jay @corli.thetriibe.com · 25/02/2026
We, the staff at @thetriibe.com are unionizing. Please support us in our efforts and sign our petition. actionnetwork.org/letters/were...
316769
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
onetriibeunited.bsky.social @onetriibeunited.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
We’re forming a union to build a more sustainable and equitable newsroom that serves Chicago’s Black communities. ✨ You can support us by: Linktree Reading our mission statement ✅ Signing our petition ✅ Following us here and on Bluesky (@onetriibeunited) for updates ✅ Thanks for your support!
412054
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 23/02/2026
ICYMI: We took to the sidewalks (and screens) across the country recently to practice picketing. We’re ready to fight for a fair contract and remind management that WE are ProPublica. Join us in our fight. Donate to our strike fund, and read our latest here: www.propublicaguild.org/updates/prac...
A man with a megaphone speaks among workers holding protest signs that read "ProPublica Workers Deserve Fair Pay" standing next to Scabby the inflatable rat.A grid of people on a zoom call with virtual backgrounds that read "ProPublica Workers Deserve Fair Pay" and "ProPublica Workers ❤️ a Fair Contract."A group of workers pose for a photo together holding protest signs, in the shade of a tree on a warm sunny day.
04612
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
It's gonna be a hot union spring. Workers at The TRiiBE are organizing!!! Sign their letter demanding TRiiBE management recognize their union 👉 actionnetwork.org/letters/were...
actionnetwork.org
We’re One Triibe United, help us get recognized!
The TRiiBE has grown so much since its founding in 2017, thanks to the Black and abolitionist press that paved the way for us. We are a trusted news source on both the local and national levels. This ...
0178
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
that’s right
0243
Reposted by Chicago Reader Union
Katie Prout @katieprout.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
let's gooooooooooo. excited to get into it in good faith with our new owners, Noisy Creek
061
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Good morning freaks & geeks! The Chicago Reader Union starts bargaining for our new contract today 🐀 🔥 Our members are united, dedicated, & strong. Follow along here & on Instagram (@chicagoreader.union) to learn how you can support us in the weeks to come.
0329
Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Chicago Reader Union statement on Noisy Creek acquisition:
The Chicago Reader Union looks forward to working with Noisy Creek. We are hopeful that Noisy Creek's acquisition will allow the Reader to thrive.
Our biggest priority is ensuring we maintain staffing levels that allow us to keep putting out our best work. Despite more than eight months of financial turmoil, our members have continued to produce the quality long-form, investigative, and cultural reporting the Reader is known for. However, our future remains uncertain.
In recent weeks, three valued members accepted voluntary buyouts: Ben Joravsky, Deanna Isaacs, and Shawnee Day. As of today, Noisy Creek intends to lay off additional members of our unit. At a time when news outlets in Chicago and around the country are downsizing, these departures would reduce the size of the Readers editorial department by more than 25 percent in all.
We are optimistic that Noisy Creek recognizes the value of in-depth, community-centric print journalism. We look forward to bargaining with Noisy Creek to ensure our union has the resources we need so we can focus on producing quality news and culture journalism-not worrying about job security or making rent.
07132