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Kim Kelly @kimkelly.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Sesame Street is officially UNION! Workers at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, have voted 55-19 to join @opeiulocal153.bsky.social Huge congrats to @sesameworkersunion.bsky.social! “We can officially say that today, May 15th, is brought to you by the letter U!”

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Sesame Workers Union @sesameworkersunion.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

We are very excited to announce we officially have MERCH! Proceeds go to a mutual aid fund for Sesame workers in need! 💚 A special thank you to our Swaggle Rock team for all their hard work in this endeavor 💚 shop.worxprinting.coop/collections/... #sesamestreet #sesameworkersunion #union

A t shirt, tote bag, and hat representing Sesame Workers Union

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Sesame Workers Union @sesameworkersunion.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Union days, sweepin’ the clouds away! ☀️ Here are some highlights from a recent article from the Tempest, featuring our very own Phoebe Gilpin. “One thing we are trying to offer right now is hope” 💛 #sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #union #1u

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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Republican leaders in Congress & the Trump admin are following the Project 2025 playbook & trying to shut down funding for independent public television & radio stations. NABET-CWA members are fighting back to defend PBS and NPR! 📸: Boston and DC

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Sesame Workers Union @sesameworkersunion.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

(1/2) Why does Big Bird look so sad? We can’t be sure but it could have to do with #sesameworkshop management denying workers severance with $439,021,780 in assets (The financial data included is pulled from our most recent 990 tax form, published on sesameworkshop.org) #sesameworkersunion

A picture of Big Bird looking sad alongside an article title “Why Does Big Bird look so Sad?” With the subheading “Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street” is confronting what executives have described as a “perfect storm” of problems.”

Text against an orange backdrop that reads: “Sesame Workshop cut about 20 percent of its staff, or nearly 100 people, a few weeks ago. Without the cost cuts, the organization would face a deficit of nearly $40 million next year, according to internal documents reviewed by The New York Times. Even with the cuts, it has had to draw $6 million from its investment fund for the first time in more than a decade to help cover some of the budget shortfalls.”

Article text with a financial document below it. The article text reads: “Sherrie Westin, a 27-year veteran of Sesame Workshop who became chief executive last year, acknowledged in an interview that the nonprofit faced a new economic reality but said she was “confident we will be able to sustain this work.”

“This is not a rejection of ‘Sesame Street’, and ‘Sesame Street’ is not going away,” she said. “But we absolutely have a responsibility to change as the world-“

The financial document below the text is from a 2023 990 form that states CEO Steve Youngwood’s compensation as $1,022,143 and then President Sherrie Westin’s as $864,748

An article text with a financial document below it. The article text reads:

“But it paid off financially. Even as recently as 2022, Sesame Workshop generated $271 million in revenue and more than $20 million in profit, according to financial forms”

The financial document (2023 990 Form) below the article text states reconciliation of net assets. The total net assets is “$439,021,078” and appears large and encircled

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Sesame Workers Union @sesameworkersunion.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

(2/2) Why does Big Bird look so sad? We can’t be sure but it could do with #sesameworkshop denying workers severance with $439,021,780 in assets (The financial data included is pulled from our most recent 990 tax form, published on sesameworkshop.org)

An article that reads “despite the troubles facing the organization, the timing of the job cuts was still notable to staff. Much of Sesame Workshop’s administrative work force — which includes education experts, fund-raisers and paralegals — had been preparing to declare a union for months.

On March 4, the employees announced that they were forming a union and kicked it off with a rally outside the nonprofit’s Midtown Manhattan offices. Immediately after the rally, workers assembled for a staff meeting where they learned about the cuts.”

An article that reads “”We really went from our highest highs to our lowest lows that day,” said Phoebe Gilpin, a senior director of formal learning at Sesame Workshop, who was laid off. “It was a moment of joyful celebration and elation, and then emotional whiplash.”

Six of the seven workers who spoke at that rally soon found out they were laid off, said David Homer-Hodges, a director of organizing at a local chapter at the Office and Professional Employees International Union, the union the workers are seeking to join.”

An article that reads “a spokeswoman for Sesame Workshop said the job cuts “were planned* and fully decided upon well before we were aware of employees’ intent to organize, and the union’s official demand for recognition coincided with the announcement of the layoffs”

The union efforts will continue despite the job cuts, Mr. Hamer-Hodges said, though Sesame Workshop leadership has indicated that it will not voluntarily recognize the union.

* If the job cuts were planned, then why did Sesame Workshop spend hundreds of thousands of dollars giving bonuses to the higher ups on October 31st?”

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Sesame Workers Union @sesameworkersunion.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Anthony is a Sesame employee who was just laid off while he awaits an anticipated kidney transplant. As a full time contract worker, he was denied severance-- unlike his colleagues considered "staff." We believe ALL workers contribute to our mission and so ALL workers deserve severance.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

I’ll say it again: 6/7 of the union organizers who spoke at our public rally were laid off. Publish that @npr.org

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Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams @advocate.nyc.gov · 06/03/2025

We all grew up on Sesame Street values of fairness and kindness, which makes layoffs more egregious. @sesameworkshop.bsky.social: Negotiate with @opeiulocal153.bsky.social's @sesameworkersunion.bsky.social, and work towards voluntary recognition together. Put your employees first on Sesame Street.

Deputy Public Advocate Kennedy poses with seven Sesame Street Union members near Lincoln Center, holding signs with messages like "U is for Union" and "Solidarity Forever. Smarter, Stronger, Kinder together!"

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OPEIU Local 153 @opeiulocal153.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

SESAME STREET WORKERS ARE UNIONIZING!!! ✊ This morning, workers at the nonprofit behind Sesame Street delivered their letter asking for voluntary recognition to management! Read all about it: www.opeiulocal153.org/news/employe...

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 13/10/2023

@nycdsa.bsky.social’s Organizing Conference may be on hold, but fear not, you can still do an in-person Red Sprouts training at the same day and time! Join us Saturday 10/21 from 10:30-12:30; all grown-up comrades are welcome: no experience or parentage needed. actionnetwork.org/campaigns/re...

actionnetwork.org

NYC-DSA Red Sprouts

The Red Sprouts 2 Organizing team (the Bulb) envisions our work as part of a culture shift for NYC-DSA, and therefore we see ourselves as internal organizers. We hope these workshops will help promote...

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 12/10/2023

Look out folks, lefty families are doin politics! Thanks to Raina Lipsitz for the write up and kind words on Red Sprouts and @comradeswkids.bsky.social www.thenation.com/article/soci...

thenation.com

Lefty Groups Making It Possible for Families to Do Politics

From Comrades with Kids to Red Sprouts, millennials find new ways of support.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 10/10/2023

Want to set up a mutual aid childcare? Us too! Join the Red Sprouts training sessions to figure out your vision for and how to make informed decisions in executing your kid-safe spaces. Remote and in-person options for @dsa.bsky.social members and beyond. actionnetwork.org/campaigns/re...

actionnetwork.org

NYC-DSA Red Sprouts

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 10/10/2023

One of the most salient myths about public (and all) education is that it transcends the politics and cultural values of its time. It’s unfortunately not here to do better, but makes a great mirror to examine our priorities.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 29/09/2023

These D79 English classes for adults offered free through the NYC DOE are sweet. Wish we had them so L1 English speakers could do reciprocal work to learn Spanish, Chinese, Arabic … ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 27/09/2023

The best part of the first day of after school is the fervent screaming meltdown after pickup.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 27/09/2023

Revolving glass doors are used as such a depressing and negative symbol of employment. But when I use one, I feel so connected to strangers, sharing a quiet reciprocal dance, easeful and cooperative.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 25/09/2023

Thrilled to announce that our mutual aid childcare initiative with @comradeswkids.bsky.social has been passed by NYC-DSA’s leadership! Couldn’t be prouder of this fledgeling project to capacity build, share, and re-grow Red Sprouts with this crew of amazing comrades. 🌱

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 11/09/2023

Feels good to gloat about Lucy Caulkins’ downfall, but not looking forward to the science of reading curriculum writers learning that kids’ sense of belonging and personhood also needs to be a foundation of phonics instruction.

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Gillian Branstetter @gbbranstetter.bsky.social · 09/09/2023

This is actually happening in our schools. Most parents don't realize this.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 08/09/2023

Why’s my kid melting down when I pick them up from school? The earnest answer…

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 08/09/2023

The best part of the first day of school is the fervent screaming meltdown after pickup.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 06/09/2023

Again, parents generally think their kids’ school is doing a good job. It’s almost like our last significant public investment is under deep scrutiny by political actors with private interests whose kids will never attend local public schools … almost. www.chalkbeat.org/2023/9/5/238...

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 18/08/2023

Since when is Chalkbeat unhinged? We are allowed to celebrate that kids could have smaller class sizes (to be seen if they will). Highest poverty schools need a ton more support, and this continued scarcity logic will drive public education further into the ground. bit.ly/45eQmyO

NYC’s highest poverty schools are least likely to benefit from class size cap chart. Low to mid poverty schools are 0-75% low income, and shows the average percentage of classes over the cap at 69%, high Liberty (75-90% low income) at 51% and highest poverty (>90%) at 38%.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 17/08/2023

Did you just say nice smile? This is my global climate catastrophe grimace.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 16/08/2023

Eric Adams’ brand matures a bit every day he holds office. Only this admin could come up with an acronym of BLAST for a land use process.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 12/08/2023

To selfie is to unselfconsciously display the suffering.

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NYC DSA Comrades With Kids @comradeswkids.bsky.social · 05/08/2023

Join us tomorrow in Sunset Park!

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 02/08/2023

Favorite kidisms: Radiheater: radiator Comfortabold: comfortable Big, stinky penis: father

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 28/07/2023

Taking a Red Sprouts child-safe space resolution for @nycdsa.bsky.social to the CLC feels real good, especially after unanimous support at the south Brooklyn branch meeting last night. Love that we want to expand this movement to our younger people.

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 25/07/2023

Friend asked if tweeting “union bug tramp stamp” was problematic. I said yes and can’t get it off my mind. AITA?

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critical childhoods @phoebegilpin.bsky.social · 25/07/2023

When people talk about “the -isms” as a category are they also talking about communism? Because that’d be funny.

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