Wikipedia Staff Unionize
Over 2,000 volunteers back US workers in landmark vote to join Communications Workers of America
US-based workers at the Wikimedia Foundation have voted to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9415, marking a significant milestone in the global movement among Wikimedia Foundation workers to establish collective bargaining.
The union election was overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after management refused to recognize the union following a supermajority of workers signing union authorization cards in July. This move is part of the broader Wiki Workers United global union campaign, which aims to strengthen worker voice, transparency, equity, and shared stewardship.
Bryan Davis, a member of the WWU organizing committee and WWU-US/CWA, stated that the recognition of the union's first government-sanctioned bargaining unit is a huge milestone in their over ten-year journey to educate, agitate, and organize coworkers. The WWU-US/CWA plans to continue their petition for recognition in the UK and hopes to see more jurisdiction-specific units call for voluntary recognition in the coming weeks and months.
Over 2,000 volunteers and community members have publicly signed petitions supporting Wikimedia Foundation workers, with these individuals collectively making more than 15 million edits. Decovan Rhem, President of CWA Local 9415, noted that the victory is a demonstration of the power of international solidarity.
## What it means The formation of the union is a significant development in the global movement among Wikimedia Foundation workers to establish collective bargaining. It marks an important step towards strengthening worker voice and improving working conditions for US-based staff at the foundation. The move is also likely to have implications for the broader tech industry, as workers increasingly seek to organize and negotiate for better pay and benefits.
## Next steps The WWU-US/CWA will begin working on collective goals for contract bargaining, aiming to support all WMF workers regardless of legal jurisdiction, job duty, or hours of employment. The union's priorities will likely include issues such as pay, benefits, and job security, as well as broader concerns around transparency and equity within the organization.
The outcome of the union election is a significant victory for the workers involved, and it will be important to watch how the situation develops in the coming months. With the support of over 2,000 volunteers and community members, the WWU-US/CWA is well-placed to negotiate for improved working conditions and better outcomes for Wikimedia Foundation staff.
