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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

@springernature.com sold @sciam.bsky.social to LabX Media after the staff voted to form a union with the goal of improving and preserving the publication. We call on LabX to recognize our union. Sign the letter in solidarity! wgaea.st/sciam-letter

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Sign the open letter to support Scientific American workers against devastating cuts and union-busting wgaea.st/sciam-letter

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Three days after Springer Nature sold Scientific American without warning, the NLRB conducted our scheduled union vote count, despite Springer Nature’s attempt to stop it. And guess what? WE WON. What’s more, it was nearly unanimous, with 31 out of 32 voters checking YES.

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

On Tuesday, Scientific American was sold by international publisher Springer Nature. Large numbers of staff were immediately laid off, and salaries of remaining workers were cut by as much as 30% SciAm staff had just voted to unionize. We should call this action what it is – blatant union-busting.

A poster titled “Scientific American Rally” invites people to a rally on tuesday june 30 at 5pm at 1 new york plaza. it says “show springer nature that science journalism and the people behind it matter!”

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Thanks to @springernature.com HR and their representatives, we’ve heard a lot of silly union-busting comments and we’re close to hitting bingo! We can’t wait for tomorrow to say we’ve voted YES to recognition.

A bingo card offering many of the common strategies companies use to bust unions

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Our vote for union recognition is one week away! The HR team at @springernature.com stated their stance: “We hope you will conclude that voting “no” is the right choice for you.” We’re confident we deserve fair and equitable workplace representation and are excited to vote YES on Tuesday June 2nd. ✊

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Today, @springernature.com has invited staff to a third “informational meeting” with union-buster Ronn English. Who knew “union avoidance” was a recognized skill on LinkedIn?

Text reads: "FAQ--How do I spot a union-buster? Answer--Here's a hint..." above a LinkedIn screenshot of Ronn English listing a skill in "Union Avoidance"

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

It’s official! @springernature.com refused voluntary recognition and is requiring a vote on June 2. 🙄 An overwhelming majority of staff signed union cards, so forcing a vote disrespects our voices. We’re not fooled, we know a union-busting tactic when we see it—but it won’t work! 👊

A grinning Pedro Pascal with the text "When you're excited to ask for voluntary recognition."

A stony-face Kristen Bell from the gif "my disappointment overflows," captioned "When you find out your company doesn't want to voluntarily recognize your union."

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

As biologist M. Picard wrote in the June 2025 issue of Scientific American, “Mitochondria communicate, both within their own cells and among other cells, reaching out to support one another in times of need and generally helping the community flourish.” We’re proud to help @sciam.bsky.social thrive!

An image of a phone showing a headline that reads "Mitochondria are more than powerhouses--they're the motherboard of the cell" by Martin Picard.

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

For example, a telltale sign of an unhealthy mitochondrion is an irregular inner membrane folding pattern. But when in contact with with other mitochondria, those folds realign into a healthier pattern.

An illustration depicts a gray mitochondrion with a misfolded inner membrane, with an arrow leading to an illustration of two healthy looking mitochondria side by side.

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Mitochondria are dynamic. They can morph from one shape to another, swell and contract, and even divide and recombine. Recent research has revealed complex interactions between mitochondria.

An illustration showing blobs representing mitochondria moving and merging.

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

As Siekevitz put it, “Some of the energy of ATP is used in the mitochondrion, but most of the ATP is immediately shot out to power the other activities of the cell.”

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Mitochondria are widely known as the “powerhouse of the cell,” a phrase popularized by an article from P. Siekevitz in the July 1957 issue of Scientific American. The nickname reflects their ability to convert oxygen and foodstuffs into ATP—a form of usable energy.

An illustration of a magazine open to a page topped with "Powerhouse of the Cell: by Philip Siekevitz"

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Why did the Scientific American union choose mitochondria as our symbol? A key part of working at @sciam.bsky.social is caring about getting good science to people. To that end, please enjoy some mitochondria fun facts! 1/🧵

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SciAm Union @sciamunion.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

And there’s more—we’ve met the company’s labor consultant. The NLRB has cited union-buster Ronn English for his “glaring lack of credibility” and he is associated with a firm that spreads QAnon conspiracy theories. He also explained basic arithmetic to our staffers—come on!!

A 2023 news story with the headline "Union Buster Ronn English Called-Out for "Glaring Lack of Credibility"

A 2021 news story titled "The Union-Busting Consultant Spreading Far-Right Conspiracy Theories"

A 2016 news story titled "Whole Foods Hired Far-Right Wing Activist as Union Buster"

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