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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

This week marks one full year since we began bargaining. Management dragged their feet for nearly seven months just getting to the bargaining table, and they’re dragging their feet now on finalizing a contract with the EdSource Guild.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Education Beat, EdSource's award-winning podcast, just celebrated its fifth anniversary. Instead of celebrating this milestone, management has canceled it. @edsourceguild.bsky.social is deeply disappointed and strongly opposes this decision.

Letter:

The EdSource Guild is deeply disappointed to hear that you have decided to cancel EdSource’s podcast, Education Beat. We consider the podcast to be one of EdSource’s greatest strengths, and we believe it is a mistake to end it, at a time when most news outlets are trying to diversify and add more multimedia.

We appreciate that you acknowledged in your email to staff on July 28 that the podcast has been an “excellent companion to our storytelling.” EdSource is constantly having internal conversations about how to make our work approachable rather than wonky. Education Beat has been an important force in our newsroom pushing our reporters to do exactly this. Every week our host is asking reporters to find compelling sources whose stories might be worth highlighting, and its producer encourages us to go into schools and colleges to record high-quality audio. Education Beat hasn’t just been a way to retell EdSource stories in a different medium — it pushes our staff to deepen our coverage and improve our storytelling.

Education Beat excels at bringing listeners the voices and stories of students and teachers. Last year, Education Beat brought EdSource to a crowd of educators from across the country at SXSW.EDU who listened to a live podcast about undocumented student civic engagement during the Trump Era. It brought listeners inside a bilingual Texas middle school classroom to explain why Texas is so much further ahead in bilingual education than California. It featured an interview with a drama teacher removed from the classroom for teaching the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Angels in America”, after Temecula voted in a conservative school board. And it highlighted the stories of young children who spoke out against a proposal to turn their local library into a police station.

The podcast itself is not expensive for the company. It is produced with very minimal resources, especially compared to other journalism podcasts.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

CEO Deborah Clark and board members Richard Whitmore, Jim Boren, Robert Sheffield, Mary Jane Burke, William Eger, Sarah Menendez , Anne Stanton and Raquel Torres-Retana: you have the power to make us whole.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

It's been 555 days since EdSource Guild recognized our union. We urge management to come back with a proposal that is fair, so our members can afford to live in the communities we cover.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Our union's wage proposal simply makes us whole after years of losing buying power. "This isn't greed. We're not asking for more. We are simply asking for the same amount. Getting to keep what we have should be the absolute bare minimum." — EdSource Data Journalist Daniel Willis

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Today EdSource Guild is sharing the painful reality of what it looks like to not receive cost of living adjustments. Most of our members have not received any raise since 2023, while inflation has gone up 11%. But management's proposal — 2.5% for some — wouldn't even cover this year's inflation.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Our wages are lagging far behind inflation. Our union's wage proposal simply makes us whole after years of losing buying power. But management's proposal wouldn't even cover this year's inflation.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Our colleague Justin Allen says he hasn't been able to avoid substantial and increasing debt as a single parent who is also caring for aging parents. All we're asking for is a fair contract that keeps up with rising costs.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Under @edsource.org management’s proposal, most of us would get fewer than 18 weeks of severance if we are laid off for no fault of our own. After 38 years in the business, senior reporter Diana Lambert thinks that she – and her coworkers – deserve better.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Management has refused to grant us reasonable cost-of-living raises during nearly 18 months of bargaining, and now we’re fighting to make up the ground we’ve lost in an era of historic inflation.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

“We’ve asked EdSource management to simply help us understand what kind of protections those vendors like Slack and Google have that can help us with the Shield Law,” said Thomas Peele, investigative reporter at EdSource. “We just get no response to those matters."

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

“When we rally around our demands, when we insist on a real say in the work that we pour ourselves into every day, that’s not selfish, that’s about the integrity of journalism itself.” — Annie Sciacca, president of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, speaking at EdSource Guild’s historic strike

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

We return to the bargaining table today, more determined than ever to win the fair contract we deserve!

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Dozens of union siblings and allies joined us in front of the EdSource office in Oakland and on Zoom. Supporters donated over $3,600 for our strike fund, more than 160 people signed our pledge not to cross the digital picket line, and some of our own coworkers refused to cross it in solidarity!

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Thank you for standing with the EdSource Guild on May 14. Our Unfair Labor Practice Strike — the first in the Pacific Media Workers Guild unit since 1994 — was a direct response to management’s unilateral changes to our health benefits and refusal to negotiate. We couldn’t have done it without you.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Good morning! We're on strike! ✊️ In case you missed our midnight announcement, EdSource Guild is on strike today! Please do not cross our picket line by going to EdSource's web site. Instead, please come to our noon rally at this link or streaming at the links in our bio. zoom.us/j/93464421760

EDSOURCE GUILD IS ON STRIKE TODAY, MAY 14, 2026.

Tell EdSource management you will not cross the digital picket line! Send them a message at the link in our bio.

WHY WE'RE STRIKING TODAY: "Our vote is clear — we are ready and committed to do what is necessary to in the contract we deserve. It's time for management to start respecting the Guild as an equal, start truly engaging with us on our proposals and stop making decisions behind closed doors." Co-Chair Zaidee Stavely, who is EdSource's podcast host and immigration and education reporter

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

🚨 EDSOURCE GUILD IS ON STRIKE! 🚨 Today—Thursday, May 14—EdSource Guild is on a one-day work stoppage due to the unilateral changes to our insurance and the lack of progress on key contract issues. PLEASE DO NOT CROSS OUR PICKET LINE AND VISIT @edsource.org TODAY! actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

EDSOURCE GUILD IS ON STRIKE TODAY, MAY 14, 2026. For 16 months, we have worked for a contract. Now, management has unilaterally changed health benefits without negotiation.

WHY WE'RE STRIKING TODAY

"A fair contract for journalists is how we ensure the quality and sustainability of the reporting our communities count on. We care deeply about this work and the gravity of this action is meant to reflect that. We sincerely hope that management chooses to take our right to bargain and the content of our proposals seriously moving forward." -Thomas Peele, EdSource investigative reporter and EdSource Guild co-chair

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

EdSource Guild members have unanimously voted to authorize a strike. We've been negotiating a contract for 16 months, and now management unilaterally changed our health plans without negotiating with us. Please sign to tell EdSource you won't cross our picket line: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

100% of EdSource Guild members have authorized a work stoppage. For 16 months, we have worked for a contract. Now, management has unilaterally changed health benefits without negotiation. FAIR CONTRACT NOW.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

One theme of our rally was management's proposal on grievances and arbitration. Well, we're pleased to announce that our pressure worked! We have a tentative agreement on a grievance procedure that's fair to employees and ensures the eventual contract is honored. Thank you all for your support!

MANAGEMENT GOT THE MESSAGE

EdSource Guild made grievance and arbitration a centerpiece of our contract campaign — and it worked.

Management had proposed that the EdSource CEO serve as the final decision maker in grievance matters, rather than a third-party arbitrator.

After our rally, they returned to the bargaining table with a new proposal that includes binding arbitration. We reached a tentative agreement.

Thank you to everyone who showed up to our rally or shared posts from our campaign. We're still fighting for a contract, but we want you to know: our collective power is working.

All we're asking for is a fair contract. It's been over a year since the EdSource Guild unionized, and we still don't have a contract. Guild members are sharing why reaching an agreement on a contract now is so important. What you can do: Spread the word! Like, comment, or share this post.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

It seems like every week another news organization rolls out an AI project and gets mass public backlash. @edsource.org needs a newsroom AI policy that ensures we can use new technology strategically while protecting our work from serious hazards.

AI Introduces New Risks: "EdSource reporters and the data team I'm a part of go to great pains to ensure we can stand behind what we publish. We need a newsroom AI policy that ensures we can use new technology strategically while protecting our work from serious hazards." Justin Allen, who works on newsroom design and technology and data journalism at EdSource

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Less than an hour to go until our rally for a fair contract from @edsource.org management! Listen to our union sister Betty Márquez Rosales!

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

We're holding a rally this Wednesday, April 15, at noon Pacific to support our contract campaign! You can register to attend or watch on Instagram Live, Twitch, and other streaming platforms. We need your help to get a fair contract and we can't wait to see you there!

There aren't enough characters available to put the full press release here, but we'll put a link in a reply.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Like many others in America, we have colleagues afraid for themselves and their families because of immigration raids. If those fears ever became reality, we don't know if we would be given the time off we need to deal with the situation and with our mental health.

Everyone deserves time off to deal with and recover from traumatic events. "Amid immigration raids, I had to come to terms with the reality that any of my family members could disappear at any given moment. If that happens, I do not know if I will be supported to take the time I know I will need." -Reporter, EdSource

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Right now, one of @EdSource.org's reporters has to only get a life-sustaining prescription until the next payday rather than a 90 day supply because otherwise they can't afford food and bills. We need substantial raises now and future raises that keep up with inflation.

"We should be able to afford all of our basic necessities. For my life-sustaining medication, instead of getting a needed 90-day supply, I have to choose a prescription that will get me to the next payday because I still have to be able to afford groceries and keep the lights on as a single parent." -Reporter, EdSource

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

"Management appears to think [shield law protections and policies for third party software] are unimportant. As an investigative reporter who receives legal threats from the powerful, I can assure you the risks are real." - @thomas-peele.bsky.social, investigative reporter

"Journalists need legal protections in order to serve the public. We have asked EdSource to include California Shield Law training in our contract and to require third-party vendors to tell us how they would respond to subpoenas that could reveal confidential information about our work and place reporters in legal peril. Management appears to think these matters are unimportant. As an investigative reporter who faces legal threats from the powerful,I can assure you the risks are real." -Thomas Peele, investigative reporter

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

At @edsource.org, a lack of pay progression has led to arbitrary raises and systemic inequity. Our proposal fixes those inequities and sets a foundation to prevent them in the future.

"Reporters should be able to afford living in the communities they cover. At EdSource, there doesn't seem to be any established process for pay progression, and inequity brews quickly across a team where it seems raises are decided in an arbitrary fashion." -Betty Márquez Rosales, Reporter

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

In an era of skyrocketing prices and housing costs, @lashericat.bsky.social pay hasn't gone up nearly as much as her rent. We deserve raises that at least keep up with our expenses.

"A worker's income should keep up with rising costs. Yet, rental prices have grown faster than my pay." -Lasherica Thornton, Reporter

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

When our colleague's father needed surgery EdSource did not provide clear guidance, forcing them to take leave which they still haven't been paid for. Our proposals would make clear what we're entitled to while EdSource's proposals leave much of it to the same handbook that failed our coworker.

Workers should be able to care for sick family members. "When my dad needed surgery after months of chemotherapy, EdSource did not provide clear guidance, policy or paid leave as an employee caring for a family member. I made the tough but necessary decision to take time off work anyway. To date, I have not received compensation for two weeks of work from either EdSource or the state." -Anonymous, Reporter

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Because of EdSource's parental leave policy Sunny Xie wasn't able to spend as much time caring for her new baby as she needed. Our proposal would solve this problem so this won't happen to anyone else in the future, but EdSource has not agreed.

"A new parent deserves paid time off to care for their children. But ad EdSource, we only get what California offers, which is partial pay limited to three months. After my second baby was born at just five pounds eight ounces, I wanted to continue breastfeeding for at least six months to help her grow stronger, but without more leave, I had to stop early." -Sunny Xie, Data Visualization Specialist

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Data journalist @bayareadata.press hasn't gotten a raise since 2023 so, after inflation, he's basically taken a 15% pay cut to keep working at EdSource.

A worker's income should keep up with rising costs. "In my six years at EdSource I've gotten four raises, and not a single one of them was at or above inflation. I've basically taken a 15% pay cut to keep working at EdSource." -Daniel J. Willis, Data journalist

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

"Everyone deserves equitable pay. Yet, with my current salary, I can't pay for basic necessities *and* save for retirement *and* pay rent. The math just doesn't work out." - @emmagallegos.bsky.social

A photo of EdSource reporter Emma Gallegos with the following quote: "Everyone deserves equitable pay. Yet, with my current salary, I can't pay for basic necessities AND save for retirement AND pay rent. The math just doesn't work out."

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

It’s been 421 days since the EdSource Guild unionized, and we still don’t have a contract. Starting tomorrow, Guild members will share, in their own words, why reaching an agreement on a contract soon is so important. Please share our stories with your networks!

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

11 of our 13 members attended our Tuesday unit meeting and we could gather again today if management would agree to sit down with us.

A screenshot of a Zoom meeting including, from top left, Lasherica Thornton, Emma Gallegos, Amy DiPierro, Michael Burke, Kevin Brokt, Karen D'Souza, Zaidee Stavley, Daniel Willis, Mallika Seshadri, Thomas Peele, Justin Allen, and Diana Lambert.

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EdSource Guild @edsourceguild.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

The reporters of @edsource.org are excited to announce the formation of the #EdSourceGuild.

The work of EdSource journalists has never been more crucial, given the continuous threats to democracy and the unprecedented challenges facing the public education system. Since its founding, EdSource has grown from an authoritative source of school financial data and analysis to California’s leading education news source.
By unionizing, EdSource Guild members hope to maintain our organization's relentless drive for critical and ethical journalism, while building an inclusive and equitable newsroom. At a critical time for press freedoms and with the rights of journalists under constant threat, we also want to stand with our fellow organized workers in this age-old craft to protect the cherished common duty to inform the public without fear or favor. Our job is to hold the powerful accountable and be advocates for students, parents, educators and taxpayers. Now, this union must balance the scales of power and decision-making within our organization.
Our award-winning stories, investigations, data analysis, podcasts, roundtables and documentaries illuminate the toughest education issues and inform students, families and education decision-makers about California schools. EdSource journalists are often called upon by television and radio shows to discuss our stories and provide meaningful context to education issues.
To preserve and protect quality journalism, to have a say in decisions that affect coverage and to be fairly compensated for this work, EdSource reporters must unionize.
We want to create a culture that embraces a healthy work-life balance, and we want to be a destination where talented journalists can spend their careers. That requires adequate compensation that keeps up with the skyrocketing cost of living in California. Unionizing will help us create the best version of EdSource, protect our work and mission, and preserve this organization’s legacy for the future.

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