Welcome Schneps Media Union

When IAPE was formed in 1937, as the Dow Jones News Department Employees Association of New York, it was set up as an independent union, perhaps as a way to keep the ever-growing American Newspaper Guild out of The Wall Street Journal newsroom. By 1953, our union’s name had changed to the Dow Jones Employees Association Inc. to accommodate staff outside of New York. But because Dow Jones as a company continued to grow and acquire other entities, and because union leaders of the day wished to allow for the possibility of representing workers outside of Dow Jones, a new moniker was adopted.

The Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees. Note the plural possessive of Publishers’. No, that’s not a typo.

Over the years, IAPE has covered workers outside of Dow Jones to a degree. First, staff at SmartMoney Magazine and SmartMoney.com, joint ventures between Dow Jones and Hearst, were welcomed into the IAPE family. Later, the DJ-Reuters collaboration known as Factiva would result in a separate, 300 member IAPE bargaining unit, and at the time, a fourth IAPE contract.

Throughout nearly 90 years of our union’s existence, all IAPE members have had a Dow Jones connection. Until today.

Welcome your new IAPE siblings: the members of the Schneps Media Union.

Under the guidance of IAPE Organizer Marissa Dadiw, workers at Schneps Media filed this morning for certification of their union and requested voluntary recognition from their employer. New Yorkers will recognize their community-focused coverage of the greater New York area at publications including amNY, amNY Law, Brooklyn Paper, The Bronx Times, Brownstoner, QNS, Noticias, New York Family, Staten Island Parent and Caribbean Life. On Long Island, outlets include the Long Island Press and Dan’s Papers.

In a public statement released earlier today, IAPE President Jodi Green welcomed our new members. “We look forward to working together to protect workers’ rights and ensure fair treatment of the workers at Schneps Media,” she said.

Schneps workers explained why they decided to form a union and join IAPE, and by extension, The NewsGuild.

“I want Schneps Media reporters to have a union so that this is a place where employees are valued and celebrated. This not only means better pay, benefits and work environments, but also a greater emphasis on journalistic integrity. Delivering valuable news to our readers is something that is often the only thing keeping us going, and we want a contract that ensures it will not be undercut by external factors,” said Cameryn Oakes, deputy managing editor for the Nassau News division of the Long Island Press.

“Schneps Media reporters can do a lot with a little, but we shouldn’t have to. A union contract will improve our working and living conditions, making it easier to do work that matters. With better pay, benefits, resources and editorial standards, we’ll be better equipped to do what we love, providing hyperlocal news to the communities that rely on us. A rising tide lifts all ships,” said Kirstyn Brendlen, digital editor at Brooklyn Paper.

“Schneps Media offers a rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on hyperlocal issues impacting communities across New York, but we often lack the resources we need and are stretched too thin. Forming a union will help ensure that we are supported in our roles, earn a living wage and have a say in editorial standards at Schneps. I'm proud to be part of this effort, which will lead to better work conditions and even better coverage of the issues facing New Yorkers every day,” said Shane O'Brien, reporter with QNS.

“I'm proud to be part of launching Schneps Media's first-ever union effort. Most of us are passionate about covering NYC communities and really love our jobs. We want to ensure our workplace pays living wages, attracts a diverse talent pool, enforces fair workplace standards and models journalistic integrity. As local journalism faces many threats, established companies like Schneps should step up to ensure their workers are supported,” said Emily Swanson, reporter for the Bronx Times.

We can already tell these newcomers are going to be fantastic additions to the IAPE family. We look forward to watching them grow.

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We encourage all IAPE members to follow our Schneps siblings on X, BlueSky and Instagram. Please support their call for voluntary recognition of their union by signing this petition, a letter to be delivered to Schneps management.