Read on Twitter
In August, we sent management a list of actionable recommendations to address racism, discrimination, and inequality at @nbcnews. We believe newsrooms should reflect the communities they serve. Ours does not. https://bit.ly/3iVhISB
We’re proud to work at @nbcnews, but our work is limited by a power structure that is largely white and male. We must create systems that increase diversity and retention by: closing pay gaps, supporting career development, and protecting employees who speak up from retaliation.
It is crucial that we are included in this process. We do not expect a one-time fix but rather a commitment to changing the culture together, and our bargaining committee is back at the table today to continue the fight. Here are our demands:
1: Conduct an annual diversity study and pay review of Digital teams.
The study should be conducted by a mutually agreed-upon third party, and the results must be shared publicly.
The study should be conducted by a mutually agreed-upon third party, and the results must be shared publicly.
2: Address race and gender pay gaps immediately.
Set aside a pool of funds each year, separate from merit increases, to address pay disparities as soon as they are identified.
Set aside a pool of funds each year, separate from merit increases, to address pay disparities as soon as they are identified.
3: Include diverse perspectives in the hiring process.
To combat implicit bias, ensure each applicant who makes it to the interview stage is interviewed by a hiring team not dominated by one race or gender.
To combat implicit bias, ensure each applicant who makes it to the interview stage is interviewed by a hiring team not dominated by one race or gender.
4: Stop asking job applicants to list their desired salary.
This practice perpetuates existing pay disparities for Black and minority employees. Underpaid employees will not know what they are worth when they have been lowballed their entire careers.
This practice perpetuates existing pay disparities for Black and minority employees. Underpaid employees will not know what they are worth when they have been lowballed their entire careers.
5: Increase diversity on every team.
A goal of 50% women and people of color does not fundamentally change the roadblocks to equity and inclusive reporting. Ensure that each team is not dominated by one race. The next hire for each team must be a person of color.
A goal of 50% women and people of color does not fundamentally change the roadblocks to equity and inclusive reporting. Ensure that each team is not dominated by one race. The next hire for each team must be a person of color.
6: Increase management diversity.
Management at NBC News Digital is mostly white. Ensure at least 50% of applicants for management roles who make it to the interview process are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
Management at NBC News Digital is mostly white. Ensure at least 50% of applicants for management roles who make it to the interview process are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
7: Promote Black journalists & other journalists of color.
Establish a succession plan for leadership positions focused on preparing BIPOC, LGBTQIA & people with disabilities for those roles. New opportunities should be developed to help low & mid-level employees grow.
Establish a succession plan for leadership positions focused on preparing BIPOC, LGBTQIA & people with disabilities for those roles. New opportunities should be developed to help low & mid-level employees grow.
8. Set a goal to match the demographics of New York City by 2025.
Our newsroom should reflect the diverse city where the bulk of our organization is based. The company’s effort to triple the number of regional reporters should also include at least one Indigenous journalist.
Our newsroom should reflect the diverse city where the bulk of our organization is based. The company’s effort to triple the number of regional reporters should also include at least one Indigenous journalist.
9. Engage a Black anti-racist educator to conduct recurrent bias training for all of NBC News Digital, starting with editors and managers.
Many staffers say racism and favoritism are rampant in our workplace. We must be willing to honestly examine the bias in our work.
Many staffers say racism and favoritism are rampant in our workplace. We must be willing to honestly examine the bias in our work.
10. Support professional development of Black journalists and other journalists of color. Create a clear and open application process for NBC News Digital employees to attend annual conventions of AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, NLGJA and similar organizations.
11. Ban the use of NDAs. Unconditionally release all current or former employees currently bound by an NDA in cases of discrimination or harassment. The silence created by NDAs can conceal very real hazards within the workplace, endangering current and future employees.
We are so proud of our members and colleagues across the industry pushing back on discriminatory practices to build up safer and more equitable newsrooms. If you haven’t unionized yet, hit us up for a how-to!
