Chicago Reader Union

@chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social

219 Followers 71 Following

Official editorial union of the Chicago Reader, organizing with @chicagonewsguild.bsky.social. Established 2015.

a guy ignores a woman labeled “management’s concessionary proposals” in favor of looks another woman labeled “a contract that protects work-life balance and guarantees a living wage.”
a bus is parked on train tracks. the bus is labeled “management’s anti worker proposals.” the bus is smashed by an oncoming train labeled “the love and support of my comrades and community.”
drake turns away in disgust from “maintaining longstanding benefits while paying employees a living wage.” drake points and smiles in delight at “longer work days and half as much sick time.”
this year i got gender-affirming surgery, which is not covered by the reader's short-term disability policy. i used sick days for my recovery. this would not be possible under management's proposal. when i raised this concern, management suggested I use vacation time." -micco caporale
"i use our flexible hours to care for my child and work on a book. I needed this book deal because I am not paid enough to cover childcare without it. With management's proposal (no sabbatical, fewer sick days, fewer personal days) I don't know how I'm going to take care of my child while finishing my book." -katie prout
"this policy would put an undue hardship on myself and the other parents in the union. our young children are frequently sick and need to stay home. last winter, my toddler had the flu three times." -kerry cardoza
almost 20% of the union are parents to young children. management's proposal would make working at the reader nearly impossible for parents.
July 16, 2026 union rat's log TELL NOISY CREEK WE DESERVE BETTER. Noisy Creek management wants us to ... -Work longer hours -Take fewer sick days -And work in-office all while offering us lower wages than other newspapers they own. Join us in demanding a fair contract!
on a red background, a blue angry rat holes a reporter's notebook with the reader R on it in yellow
bright blue background, red and black text. june 17, 2026 union rat's log what happened last year? screenshots of story headlines: "with chicago reader at 'imminent risk of closure' staff works to cut costs, find donors. after six non-union staffers were laid off, the alt-weekly is trying to increase donor outreach and crowdfunding, and some staff have offered pay cuts or deferred compensation." chicago news: "chicago reader at 'imminent risk of closure' " media and marketing: "chicago reader, facing 'imminent risk of closure' undergoes layoffs."
Chicago Reader Union statement on Noisy Creek acquisition: The Chicago Reader Union looks forward to working with Noisy Creek. We are hopeful that Noisy Creek's acquisition will allow the Reader to thrive. Our biggest priority is ensuring we maintain staffing levels that allow us to keep putting out our best work. Despite more than eight months of financial turmoil, our members have continued to produce the quality long-form, investigative, and cultural reporting the Reader is known for. However, our future remains uncertain. In recent weeks, three valued members accepted voluntary buyouts: Ben Joravsky, Deanna Isaacs, and Shawnee Day. As of today, Noisy Creek intends to lay off additional members of our unit. At a time when news outlets in Chicago and around the country are downsizing, these departures would reduce the size of the Readers editorial department by more than 25 percent in all. We are optimistic that Noisy Creek recognizes the value of in-depth, community-centric print journalism. We look forward to bargaining with Noisy Creek to ensure our union has the resources we need so we can focus on producing quality news and culture journalism-not worrying about job security or making rent.