SciAm Union

13 Apr

Hello, Bluesky! We, the staff of Scientific American, are pleased to announce we have formed a union with @wgaeast.bsky.social. Just as mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, we are the powerhouse of the publication, and we’re excited to have a new way to contribute to its success.

Scientific American is UNIONIZED! 🧵⬇️

We’ve been through a lot, but Scientific American is still standing because we are working harder than ever to produce journalism that is original, brave, compelling, and grounded in truth.

The SciAm Union stands strong, united in solidarity, and ready to meet LabX at the bargaining table. ✊

Scientific American is UNIONIZED! 🧵⬇️

So the SciAm Union started over, now smaller but more determined than ever. And this week, the votes were counted. Once again, we won almost unanimously!

Even as we celebrate this win, we continue to mourn the loss of our colleagues who worked so hard to make SciAm great and to organize in an effort to make it even better. We’re proud to have stood with them, and we owe this win to them, too.

Scientific American is UNIONIZED! 🧵⬇️

Back in June, SciAm workers voted 31-1 to unionize with @wgaeast.bsky.social. But just days before the vote count, @springernature.com sold Scientific American to LabX Media Group, a move that came with mass layoffs, including 11 members of our bargaining unit.

20 July

@springernature.com sold @sciam.bsky.social to LabX Media after the staff voted to form a union with the goal of improving and preserving the publication. We call on LabX to recognize our union. Sign the letter in solidarity! wgaea.st/sciam-letter

Sign the open letter to support Scientific American workers against devastating cuts and union-busting wgaea.st/sciam-letter

admin.actionnetwork.orgadmin.actionnetwork.org

Sign the open letter to support Scientific American workers against devastating cuts and union-busting: admin.actionnetwork.org/petitions/an...

Springer Nature sold Scientific American after the staff voted to unionize and three days before that election was ratified by the National Labor Relations Board. A larger number of staff were laid off and the salaries of remaining workers were cut by as much as 30 percent.

This letter calls on Springer Nature to ensure that as part of the sale, LabX Media will rehire laid off union workers, restore staff salaries to previous levels, and maintain a high level of journalistic integrity.

SciAm Union reposted

Shame on @springernature.com for union busting! We call on @sciam.bsky.social’s new owner @labx.org to recognize the @sciamunion.bsky.social and prepare to bargain a fair first contract. Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s Scientific American Union rally in solidarity ✊

28 June

Three days after Springer Nature sold Scientific American without warning, the NLRB conducted our scheduled union vote count, despite Springer Nature’s attempt to stop it. And guess what? WE WON. What’s more, it was nearly unanimous, with 31 out of 32 voters checking YES.

26 June

On Tuesday, Scientific American was sold by international publisher Springer Nature. Large numbers of staff were immediately laid off, and salaries of remaining workers were cut by as much as 30% SciAm staff had just voted to unionize. We should call this action what it is – blatant union-busting.

wgaea.stScientific American Union Rally 6/30On Tuesday, the international scientific publisher Springer Nature sold Scientific American, the iconic 181-year old publication famous for its authoritative coverage of science to LabX Media Group. L...

26 June

Join us for a rally outside of Springer Nature offices on Tuesday, June 30th at 5pm ET to call out the company’s callous treatment of Scientific American’s staff, publication, and legacy—and to stand up for science journalism everywhere. RSVP: wgaea.st/sciam-rally

24 June

1 June

Thanks to @springernature.com HR and their representatives, we’ve heard a lot of silly union-busting comments and we’re close to hitting bingo! We can’t wait for tomorrow to say we’ve voted YES to recognition.

26 May

Our vote for union recognition is one week away! The HR team at @springernature.com stated their stance: “We hope you will conclude that voting “no” is the right choice for you.” We’re confident we deserve fair and equitable workplace representation and are excited to vote YES on Tuesday June 2nd. ✊

19 May

Today, @springernature.com has invited staff to a third “informational meeting” with union-buster Ronn English. Who knew “union avoidance” was a recognized skill on LinkedIn?

16 May

It’s official! @springernature.com refused voluntary recognition and is requiring a vote on June 2. 🙄 An overwhelming majority of staff signed union cards, so forcing a vote disrespects our voices. We’re not fooled, we know a union-busting tactic when we see it—but it won’t work! 👊

Why did the Scientific American union choose mitochondria as our symbol? A key part of working at @sciam.bsky.social is caring about getting good science to people. To that end, please enjoy some mitochondria fun facts! 1/🧵

For example, a telltale sign of an unhealthy mitochondrion is an irregular inner membrane folding pattern. But when in contact with with other mitochondria, those folds realign into a healthier pattern.

As biologist M. Picard wrote in the June 2025 issue of Scientific American, “Mitochondria communicate, both within their own cells and among other cells, reaching out to support one another in times of need and generally helping the community flourish.” We’re proud to help @sciam.bsky.social thrive!

As Siekevitz put it, “Some of the energy of ATP is used in the mitochondrion, but most of the ATP is immediately shot out to power the other activities of the cell.”

Mitochondria are dynamic. They can morph from one shape to another, swell and contract, and even divide and recombine. Recent research has revealed complex interactions between mitochondria.

Mitochondria are widely known as the “powerhouse of the cell,” a phrase popularized by an article from P. Siekevitz in the July 1957 issue of Scientific American. The nickname reflects their ability to convert oxygen and foodstuffs into ATP—a form of usable energy.

5 May

As @springernature.com continues to employ tired and costly union-busting tactics, we just wanted to say we’re so grateful to all the subscribers, scientists and journalists who’ve reached out and said they’ll stand with us as we fight to ensure @sciam.bsky.social lasts another 180 years. Thank you!

@ucpworkersguild.bsky.social

5 May

We’ve been told @springernature.com brought in a union-busting consultant to ensure @sciam.bsky.social workers get "accurate information" about unions. If that’s the point, why are they fighting to keep our members from even being part of the process? Stop union-busting!

SciAm Union reposted

UCP Workers Guild

We’re unionizing! Workers at UCP are forming a union with the Chicago NewsGuild, TNG-CWA Local 34071, joining the nationwide movement for a stronger publishing industry.

SciAm Union reposted

docs.google.comOpen Letter Opposing the Paramount-WBD MergerPlease join us in signing the below open letter opposing the Paramount-Warner Brothers Discovery merger. The signature line is below the text of the letter. Note: new signatures are not added…

Take action to #BlockTheMerger: Sign the open letter. Join the Guild and over 4,000 film industry professionals in calling on regulators to block the dangerous Paramount x Warner Bros. Discovery merger! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

SciAm Union reposted

The NewsGuild of New York

@nyguild.bsky.social

CONGRATS: We are incredibly proud of our members who won or were finalists for 2026 Pulitzer Awards. Democracy depends on their journalism and it’s why we fight for – and win – strong contracts to protect our members’ ability to do their work.

SciAm Union reposted

Workers at @sciamunion.bsky.social deserve union recognition and a fair first contract, not a union-busting lawyer!

SciAm Union@sciamunion.bsky.social

Happy May Day! It’s been a busy week for SciAm Union’s mighty mitochondria. In good news, @springernature.com formally responded to our demand for voluntary recognition. But disappointingly, instead of working with us directly they are dragging their feet and calling in the NLRB.

SciAm Union reposted

NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

2 May

Standing together for workers everywhere. Yesterday, the WGAE joined @nyclabor.bsky.social, the New York Immigration Coalition, and union and community members across the city to march for International Workers Day. #MayDay ✊

SciAm Union reposted

@nyclabor.bsky.social

2 May

This is what it’s like to have a mayor like @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social that stands firmly with working people. #MayDay2026

1 May

1 May

And there’s more—we’ve met the company’s labor consultant. The NLRB has cited union-buster Ronn English for his “glaring lack of credibility” and he is associated with a firm that spreads QAnon conspiracy theories. He also explained basic arithmetic to our staffers—come on!!

deadline.comFuturo Media Staff Unionizes With WGA EastThe staff at Futuro Media Group is calling on management to voluntarily recognize their desire to organize with the Writers Guild of America East.

28 Apr

A big welcome to our new pals at Futuro Union!

Writers Guild of America East@wgaeast.bsky.social

A warm welcome to the newly-formed Futuro Union! Futuro’s approximately 15-member bargaining unit has called on management to voluntarily recognize the union and concurrently agree to a basic union contract containing essential industry-standard provisions. Read more: deadline.com/2026/04/futu...

We believe all workers deserve a fair contract and a voice in their working conditions--congratulations to all the film and TV workers who won this new contract!

Writers Guild of America East@wgaeast.bsky.social

The WGA membership has ratified the 2026 MBA, with 90.38% (4,282) voting in favor. In the face of industry contraction and runaway healthcare cost inflation, writers secured a contract that returns our Health Fund to a sustainable path and builds on gains from 2023. (1/2)

SciAm Union reposted

Shame on @springernature.com for union-busting! The Company needs to respect their workers and recognize @sciamunion.bsky.social without delay or division. #1u

SciAm Union@sciamunion.bsky.social

The SciAm Union is disappointed that @springernature.com dragged our colleagues into a last minute meeting this morning with the notorious union-busting law firm Littler Mendelson (the same one Starbucks and Amazon hire 👀)

Workers deserve transparency and respect, not intimidation. We demand Springer Nature work with us directly and voluntarily recognize our union instead of wasting SciAm’s staff time and resources on meetings like these.

SciAm Union reposted

23 Apr

Read the WGAE and @wgawest.bsky.social Statement on the Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholder Vote to Approve Paramount Merger

wgaeast.orgScientific American Unionizes with WGA East, Demands Voluntary Recognition | Press RoomNEW YORK (April 13, 2026) – The reporters, editors, producers, and other professionals involved in producing a successful print and digital product at Scientific American unionized with the Writers Gu...

15 Apr

We're blown away by all the solidarity with and love for our announcement! If you'd like to read more about why we're unionizing, check out this press release from @wgaeast.bsky.social. Excited to share where we go from here!

SciAm Union reposted