The Wikimedia Foundation waited until immediately after its largest annual conference to say it wouldn't voluntarily recognize its workers' union.

The Wikimedia Foundation waited until immediately after its largest annual conference to say it wouldn’t voluntarily recognize its workers’ union.

Last week, Wiki Workers United, which is organized through the Communication Workers Union and represents U.S. workers at the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, requested voluntary recognition of their union. Wiki Workers United said that it had secured a “supermajority of union-eligible workers who have signed union authorization cards.” A group of more than 1,100 Wikipedia editors have also signed a letter of support for the union.

On Monday, just days after the massive Wikimania Conference concluded in Paris, the Wikimedia Foundation announced it would not voluntarily recognize the union and said the union would have to conduct a vote as overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.

  • AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    5 days ago

    the Wikimedia Foundation announced it would not voluntarily recognize the union and said the union would have to conduct a vote as overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.

    If the union is wanted by a supermajority of workers, isn’t the vote a foregone conclusion? What is the WF getting by making them jump through that hoop, other than bad optics?

    • Aatube@kbin.melroy.org
      101·
      5 days ago

      As stated, the decision to unionize belongs to staff. The Foundation’s responsibility is to ensure that they can make their own choice freely. So that every eligible employee has an equal voice, we believe a secret-ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board is the appropriate path forward. This process protects individual choice and ensures that any outcome reflects the collective will of those eligible to participate.

      this is their rhetoric. it seems they don’t like unions and are calling the bluff.

      • Zagorath@quokk.auEnglish
        31·
        5 days ago

        They also say:

        There are also different implications and requirements for union recognition. For example, in the UK, staff members can individually decide whether to join the union or not, whereas in the United States all union eligible staff would be covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and in many states it is possible that all union eligible staff may be required to pay union fees, even if they choose not to participate in signing cards or voting.

        That feels like it couldn’t possibly be true, but if it is that honestly seems like a fairly good justification for letting the union process play out without managerial interference.