Science News Media Guild ratifies first contract, securing major gains in pay and leave

WASHINGTON — Eighty-five percent of the 27 members in the Science News Media Guild, workers who publish Science News and Science News Explores, have voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement. The historic contract establishes increases in pay, including cost of living raises and equity raises, sick and parental leave and importantly, codifes just-cause protections.

The union launched on Nov. 14, 2023, after more than 80 percent of non-management employees voted to unionize with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. The ratification follows 625 days of negotiating with the Society for Science, which included a successful 24-hour walkout on Nov. 5, 2025.

Key wins include:

• Guaranteed cost-of-living raises
• Paid sick leave that is separate from paid time-off
• Equity raises for some employees
• Greater flexibility regarding in-office work
• Just-cause rights
• Paid parental leave of six weeks and more compassionate bereavement leave
• Severance pay up to 16 weeks
• AI protections

“We fought hard and ultimately won some important protections for our members. This contract will serve as a foundation to build a stronger, more equitable workplace,” says Tina Hesman Saey, a senior writer for Science News.

“The road to this first contract was not a short one, but it was incredibly inspiring to see our guild unite in pursuit of a better workplace. I’m so grateful to all of my colleagues, especially the negotiations team, and everyone else who has supported us along the way.” says Nikk Ogasa, a staff writer for Science News.

“I am incredibly proud of our negotiation committee for advocating with such determination on our behalf. This victory has been 625 days in the making! I’m pleased that both the Society and the Guild could reach an agreement that includes such important protections for our members,” says Aaron Tremper, the editorial assistant for Science News Explores.

About the Science News Media Guild:

The Science News Media Guild, the union representing nearly 30 employees at Science News and Science News Explores, has been a unit of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild since November 2023.

About the Washington-Baltimore News Guild:

The Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Local 32035 of the Communications Workers of America, the union for more than 3,000 news, information, nonprofit and labor organization workers in the mid-Atlantic and beyond, including the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, AFL-CIO, Bloomberg and the American Nurses Association (ANA). Together, we hold our employers accountable and ensure that our workplaces reflect our values, which include ensuring everyone is free from harassment and retaliation, earns equal pay for equal work and has a voice in their workplace.