IAPE@Work: The Week in Review

Photo Editor Update
A Reply From Matt
DJ Ends Vax Policy

Photo Editor Hearing on Hold
Thanks to the dozens of members who responded to last week’s request to support WSJ Photo Editors in their quest to become IAPE-represented employees. As we mentioned in last Thursday’s email, IAPE reps and Photo Editor witnesses were scheduled to appear in a National Labor Relations Board hearing to demonstrate why WSJ Photo Editors should be included in the IAPE bargaining unit.

Unfortunately, the Labor Board granted a Dow Jones motion to delay proceedings. So, we’ll take a short break and prepare to return to the Board on Nov. 15. Keep an eye on your inbox for another invitation to attend these public hearings.

In the meantime, you can support your WSJ colleagues by amplifying social posts from Photo Editor Twitter and Instagram feeds—or post your own! Please also check out https://cwalocals.org/unionize-wsj-photo for more information about this campaign. We want to make sure everyone knows that Photo Editors are workers who should be protected by the union and that their work is necessary to the Journal!

Note for members in News who are subject to the WSJ social media policy: If you would like to support your colleagues, but you have questions about what you can or cannot post on your own social media feeds, our CWA union parents have some helpful guidelines for participating in social media campaigns.

A Reply From Matt
As we announced on Monday, 245 IAPE members signed on to a letter to WSJ Editor in Chief Matt Murray expressing concern about WSJ News plans for in-office work.

On Tuesday, IAPE received a reply:

“Thanks for the note. As you know, we’ve worked hard to find a balance and to keep the workplace strong, and to do so in a thoughtful way for all stakeholders, including our staffers. We’ll continue to take that approach moving forward.  Best, Matt”

As for the union’s request to meet with management and discuss changes, Dow Jones has informed IAPE that representatives from Legal and HR departments are happy to meet with the union, but we should not expect participation from News management.

Dow Jones to end Vaccination Policy
On Tuesday, Chief People Officer Dianne DeSevo informed staff that Dow Jones will be “lifting the vaccination requirement for all of our Dow Jones U.S. offices on Dec. 1, 2022.”

Under the terms of the new IAPE/Dow Jones contract, the company has an obligation to provide the union with at least 30 days’ advance notice of its intention to modify or eliminate the policy.

So now, we want to hear from you: does the elimination of the Covid vaccination policy sit well with you? As departments continue to require in-office work at least occasionally, are you more or less comfortable knowing Dow Jones will no longer restrict office access to vaccinated individuals only?

Contact us by emailing union@iape1096.org and let us know.